Page 11 of Hell Fae Warden

Typhos.

Ajax.

Melek.

They had all earned my allegiance. Camillia De La Croix had not.

“Then I suggest you remind them who their king is,” Typhos said before ending the call and removing an item from his ear.

That would explain why I hadn’t heard any audio coming from the screen.

“Nagas tend to value their mates more than their kings,” Melek murmured as he prepared a drink at the bar. “I’m not surprised that they’re giving Viper a hard time.”

Ah, that explained the reason for the headphones. King Viper tended to speak in low tones, making him often hard to understand. The stoic Naga wasn’t one for speaking, choosing to whisper only when forced to. He was a Nightmare Fae who preferred action over words.

Very unlike the female of his kind—which were the most deadly and notorious of the Naga species. However, they were a dying race, thanks to the Hell Fae Source rejecting most of them. I assumed that was why his Nightmare Fae were rioting now, furious that their trials had been put on hold. They needed more women to help repopulate their species. Hence their need for optimal brides.

Viper required one perhaps most of all.

The Nagas were nothing without a queen, but Viper had yet to find his fated mate.

“He needs to remind his constituents why he’s king.” Typhos sounded tired yet stern.

“While carrying out your order to delay their mating game with the potential candidates,” Melek returned as he brought a glass over to Typhos and pressed the rim to the Hell Fae King’s lips. “Drink.”

Typhos’s sapphire irises glittered as he met the Hell Fae Prince’s gaze, but he didn’t argue, choosing to accept the drink and swallow.

“None of the Nagas participated in Monsters Night,” Melek said softly. “They feel they’re being unduly punished for another kingdom’s bad behavior. That’s why they’re acting out.”

“Just like the Sirens.” I didn’t mean to interject, but I was aware of their protests as well. “And the Banshees.”

“As well as the various dragon breeds.” Melek took the drink away from Typhos to set it on the table. “So far it seems that only those who reside in the Netherworld Kingdom and the Morpheus Kingdom participated, making the punishment suitable for them. But the others…” He trailed off and gave Typhos a meaningful look.

“Might not deserve this punishment,” Typhos finished, sighing deeply. “I already know that, little prince. But I’m trying to protect them.”

“From a threat that may or may not exist,” Melek replied, his fingers gently coming through Typhos’s long, dark hair. “The source is clear, the portal is closed, and there have been no further incidents.”

“That doesn’t mean there won’t be more,” Typhos pointed out. And I was inclined to agree with him.

Just because everything seemed fine now didn’t mean there wouldn’t be another problem soon. We didn’t know how the portal had been created. Or how a strand had been damaged in the source.

Just like we don’t know how Camillia escaped or where she hid,I thought, clearing my throat and drawing Typhos’s attention to me. “I don’t mean to intrude. I know you have a lot going on right now.”

“You neverintrude, Azazel.” He gave me a searching look, his brow furrowing as he studied me.

He no doubt could sense something was off, likely because my Phoenix was being abnormally subdued. But he didn’t ask questions, allowing me to keep my secret, at least for now.

“You have news,” he said, giving me a safe subject to discuss.

“I do.” I cleared my throat. “We found Camillia De la Croix in the Human Realm. Ajax has her locked up in an old Midnight Fae Council dungeon for questioning.”

Of course, that hadn’t been what Typhos had demanded we do with her. He’d wanted her brought to him instead. But…

“We thought it might be worth knowing how she got out and where she’s been before bringing her back here, just in case she’s able to somehow use her escape tricks again,” I explained.

Typhos nodded thoughtfully. “I suspect she simply took advantage of the breach somehow, but I agree it would be worth our while to know for sure. Unless she’s already provided you with details and that’s why you’re here?”

“They tied her up with rope, my king,” Melek inserted, a smile tainting his tone. “I doubt much talking has been done.”