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“I realize you don’t know each other well,” Zenaida interjected before I could reply. “But giving Morpheus the stone is my recommendation. He knows how to handle it and the contents inside of it.”

“Forgive me for not being all that confident in this solution,” I drawled. “He left his kingdom to die.”

“Just because one doesn’t intervene in fate doesn’t mean that being doesn’t care about the outcome,” she replied with a soft smile. “Many of us have our roles to play, Ajax. And in my experience, being the watcher is the hardest role of all.”

I flinched at her choice of words, her comment bringing back a memory of the day I’d been forced to watch as my loved ones died. If anyone understood the horrors of that role, it was me.

But I didn’t understand why she felt the need to mention it now.

Was she trying to imply that Morpheus had been forced into a similar situation?

I doubted it. He was an all-powerful fae God. He could have intervened if he’d wanted to.

Unless it would have altered fate , I thought, glancing at him again. The events of today—of the last few months—had changed everything in the Hell Fae Realm.

Those events had turned Cami into a queen. Helped us find our mate-circle. Made me a true Hell Fae Warden. Allowed me to bond to Az and Lucifer. Brought me closer to Melek.

I swallowed.

While I could fault Morpheus for not assisting more, I had to wonder what would have changed had he been involved. Would today have even happened?

I could ponder it all day and night. But at the end of it all, it wouldn’t matter.

Because the changes were already done.

What mattered now was assuring that Vivaxia never returned. And it sounded like Morpheus had a way of securing that fate.

Part of me wanted to confirm this decision with Lucifer.

But he’d named me as his Warden for a reason. He’d also trusted me with the stone.

Which meant this choice was mine.

I glanced at Az.

He simply stared back. I’ll support whatever you want to do, he told me with his gaze more than his mind.

Zenaida was a lot of things, but she’d never steered me wrong. I trusted her, despite her penchant for riddles.

She was also the one who’d given me the death stone in the first place. Via Shade, of course. But that still counted.

That death stone had basically allowed Cami to save us all and master her siphoning power, too.

Which meant Zenaida had been helping us all along, from very early on in my time with Cami.

“You had Shade give me the stone, then ensured I had it again recently,” I said to the Fortune Fae Omega before looking at Morpheus. “And you left it for Cami in the tunnel with that note.”

Both of them looked at me yet said nothing. No acknowledgment. No confirmation. Just expressions of expectation.

I sighed. “I can see why you’re friends.”

“They are not friends,” Kodiak inserted. “They are acquaintances who share similar goals.”

“Some might call that the basis of a friendship,” Morpheus replied, smiling at Zenaida. “Or the foundation of a mating.”

Kodiak stepped forward, but Zenaida had already moved into his path. “Please don’t,” she whispered.

The Alpha bristled, then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her backward into a possessive embrace. Vadim shifted to their side in a fluid movement that was more predator-like than anything else.

Why does it feel like I’ve just seen our future? Az asked me via our bond.

I think it’s our present, I replied, thinking about that note from Morpheus. He’d said something about seeing our mate in her dreams. Which had better not fucking happen.

Cami had four very alpha, very possessive mates who were all obsessed with her.

Including the fucking Hell Fae King.

God or not, we could take this asshole down.

“You probably shouldn’t visit the Hell Fae Kingdom anytime soon,” I told him as I handed him the stone. “Wouldn’t want you falling into the wrong dream and turning your reality into a nightmare.”

The flicker of amusement in his expression told me he knew exactly whose dreams I referred to.

“Not to worry, Warden. I’m currently preoccupied with a pretty little dreamer in the Netherworld Kingdom.

So your mate’s mind is safe for now.” He held up the stone.

“I’ll see that this makes it to Ares for safekeeping.

” He moved closer to Zenaida to take another cookie. “Delicious as always, little one.”

Kodiak growled, but Morpheus was already gone before he could even react to the flirtatious comment.

Zenaida shivered, her pupils dilating at the commanding sound from her Alpha.

“See you again soon, Ajax,” she said, no doubt sensing my desire to leave. Immediately .

Because I didn’t want to witness whatever was about to happen with her and her mates. She might look thirty years old in physical appearance, thanks to immortal genetics, but I still saw her as a grandmother.

Ugh .

“Thanks, Zen,” I managed to choke out, her nickname all I could say before I shadowed back to my room in the palace.

Az followed, a subtle laugh echoing in his mind.

“It’s not funny,” I muttered.

“It is,” he countered. “Because that really was our future. Thousands of years from now, we’ll still be just as attracted to Cami. Just as dominant. Just as possessive.” His tone deepened with each statement. “We’re going to fuck her for eternity, and I can’t fucking wait.”

I looked at him. “Are you wanting to start now?” Because I sensed her finally getting out of that bath and I wouldn’t mind helping her towel off.

But Az shook his head. “We’ll give Typhos a little more time. Then we’ll join.” He stepped into me, his bare chest touching mine. “And in the interim, we’ll spar.”

“Foreplay?” I countered.

“That is what I said,” he replied, making me roll my eyes.

“The adventures today weren’t enough to whet your violent appetite?”

He smiled. “That barely took the edge off.”

I stared into his eyes, noting the flicker of black as his Phoenix gazed back.

Vivaxia had leashed him again. Just for a few minutes. But it had been long enough.

Az wasn’t saying it, but he needed a little violence to work through what had happened. And he was choosing me for that outlet… to protect our mate.

“One match,” I told him. “Then I will want to shower and eat some?—”

His mouth captured mine before I could finish, his kiss so abrupt and harsh that he drew blood.

I growled and kissed him back with just as much force.

Then I let him take me down to the floor and submitted to his needs.

Because that was what mates did for each other—we helped each other in times of need. We provided protection and a safe place to heal. And we loved one another unequivocally.