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He groaned against me, his freshly pressed suit wrinkling beneath my assault. But I didn’t give a damn. Between him and Camillia, I was fucking done.

Both of them smelled like sex. Hell, had I arrived a few minutes later, I would likely have witnessed them fucking in real time.

Not that I needed the visual; one was already firmly implanted in my mind, courtesy of the devious prince before me. He clutched my lapels, accepting my bruising embrace with an eagerness I felt to my very soul.

The aroma of blooming flowers taunted me, the scent reminding me of a rose garden warmed beneath the rising sun.

Camillia .

I nearly growled as I released Melek. He wiped at his bottom lip, the trace of blood on his fingertips showcasing how hard I’d kissed him. But all he did was smile.

Little masochist, I said to him via our bond.

Only for you, he returned.

My eyebrow winged upward. You wouldn’t let Camillia hurt you for pleasure?

If she was a sadist? Absolutely. He cocked his head. But you’re the one who gets off on punishments and pain, my king. Not our little angel.

I glanced at the female in question, noting her red cheeks and the silky knot around her waist. She’d tied her robe with force, the fabric cinched a little too tight. Yet she didn’t seem to notice; she was too busy gaping at me and Melek.

“That wasn’t a punishment,” I told her. “Just me claiming my mate.”

“But you said you weren’t mad,” she hedged slowly.

I smiled. “I’m not mad, Camillia. However, I am possessive.”

She swallowed, her gaze leaving mine. “Oh.”

Fuck . This female had me all wrong, which was entirely my doing. And now I had no idea how to fix it. “He’s mine, Camillia. And now he’s yours, too. But your little fuck fest has put me in a certain mood. Not one where I want to punish so much as claim . Do you understand?”

Her eyelashes lifted as she met my gaze again. “Do you need me to leave…?”

I pinched my nose again and nearly growled. This whole situation was fucking infuriating. “No, Camillia,” I ground out. “I need to talk to you and Melek. Together. Please.”

And there’s that word again, I thought bitterly.

It sounds nice in your voice, Melek returned without hesitation. I think our angel likes it, too.

A chime rang through the room before I could reply, a Hellhound in human form appearing with a tray in one hand and an envelope in the other.

“This just arrived for you,” Payan said as he held out the latter to me, his gaze on the floor as a show of respect.

I didn’t necessarily require their submission, but they often gave it freely.

I eyed the male curiously. “Aren’t you stationed in the Hell Fae bridal camp?”

The Hellhounds were part of my personal guard, but they also managed security throughout the realm.

And last I checked, General Garmr had assigned this particular Hellhound to not only guard the paradigm but also assist Ajax as needed with protecting the candidates. So he should be on general paradigm security watch, nightclub bouncer duties, or dorm surveillance.

Of course, a lot had changed over the last few weeks with Ajax being out of commission. Garmr had been playing double duty with managing his Hellhounds in the paradigm and coordinating the royal guard around my palace.

“General Garmr shifted me to the palace, Your Majesty,” Payan replied, bowing lower while still holding his tray and envelope. “I hope this doesn’t displease you, my king.”

Displeased wasn’t the right term. Confused , perhaps. “I see.” Something must have prompted this change. I’d have to meet with Garmr later to determine the cause. “Thank you for bringing everything up.”

“It’s my pleasure, Your Majesty,” he said before creeping forward to set the tray on the small en-suite dining table. There were only two chairs, something I’d have to fix. Not that Payan noticed; he was still looking at his boots.

So rather than issue a request for more seating, I simply accepted the envelope from him and let him leave without further conversation.

While Melek lifted the tray covering to reveal a buffet of magical items beneath, I focused on the enchanted item in my hand.

This was no ordinary letter. I ran my finger along the familiar parchment, my lips curling downward. A deal , I recognized as I unfolded the document. An ancient deal.

Words glittered up at me in gold ink, causing my gaze to narrow.

I, Typhos Lucifer, agree to engage in all three mating vows with Vivaxia Lilithu. In exchange for this mating, Vivaxia Lilithu agrees to the following terms:

Azazel of Black Phoenix Clan will be a free entity. “Free entity” is defined in Appendix A. All terms apply.

Melek Morningstar will be a free entity. “Free entity” is defined in Appendix A. All terms apply.

Should the end mating prove unfruitful, the terms of this contract are still valid. However, in the event that a soul rejects the other…

The ellipsis melted down the page, the drops resembling blood as the words shifted into something new. Something that didn’t belong.

You remember what happened next, don’t you, love?

My heart fucking stopped. I could practically hear Vivaxia purring in my ear. Her presence was all around me, her words still scrolling across the parchment.

Your soul rejected mine. And our terms were quite clear, darling.

My jaw clenched as the deal reappeared…

However, in the event that a soul rejects the other, a blood sacrifice will be paid.

Blood was power. Upon my soul rejecting Vivaxia, I’d offered her a vial, just as the terms had implied.

But she’d grinned, her cold eyes exuding an evil I’d felt in my very soul.

You fell, love, the words said in time with my memories. But was that your choice or mine?

I snorted. What kind of question is that?

However, as more enchanted ink appeared…

Was that the blood sacrifice my soul desired?

I started to realize how important that question about my fall truly was…

“Blood sacrifice” was never defined. I rejected your vial and you fell. But did you bleed the way I wanted, sweet Typhos? Or did you grow into a being with so much more to lose? To sacrifice ?

The bold text on that final word had my blood going cold.

So many bonds. So much heart. So much blood .

“Ty?” Melek’s voice barely reached me, the pounding in my ears making it difficult to hear anything beyond my own racing pulse.

“Don’t eat the food,” I managed to grit out. “Get rid of it.”

The tray had come with this enchanted letter. Brought to me by an unexpected source.

Vivaxia’s message was loud and clear—I can access your inner sanctum. I can reach you. You’re not safe. No one you love is safe.

That was why she’d mentioned the bonds and my heart, her riddle rather straightforward.

But what did she mean about the blood sacrifice not being my fall?

Did I fall on purpose? I wondered for perhaps the first time in my existence.

Vivaxia’s statements played through my mind as more gold text scrawled across the paper.

I’m ready to collect now, Typhos. And I’m going to start with the blood that sets your heart aflame…

My gaze instantly flew to Melek. He stood near Camillia, the table between them empty. “Did you eat anything?” I asked him, unable to mask the urgency in my tone.

“No. I magicked it all away, just like you requested.” He glanced down at the note in my hand, his brow furrowing.

The paper went up in flames, indicating the end of whatever spell Vivaxia had cast on the item.

I swallowed, her final threat echoing in my thoughts. I’m going to start with the blood that sets your heart aflame…

Camillia’s knees buckled on a gasp, her palm flying to her chest as she cried out in sudden pain.

Melek fell with her, but he wasn’t hurt. He was concerned, his mouth saying her name as he grabbed her shoulders. “What is it? What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?” he asked, his panic causing my gut to clench.

Does Camillia set my heart aflame?

That… that didn’t… Maybe? She certainly made it beat fucking hard.

I stepped toward her, my mouth suddenly dry. This had to be whatever Vivaxia had put inside her. The dying scent lingering beneath her?—

Fire shot through my heart, ceasing all my movements.

So intense. So unexpected. So hot .

“Az,” Camillia breathed. “Az!”

An inferno built inside me, my mind and soul registering Camillia’s claim just as my heart went cold. Ice cold.

Because the flame inside my heart had just… died .