Page 115 of Hell Fae Warden

However, rather than voice that part aloud, I said, “All I know is, the source is part of you. Vita is part of you. And those two parts have opened their gates to Camillia. Maybe she’s a threat. Or maybe she’s something else entirely. But you’ll never know if you won’t even try to get to know her.”

“What makes you think she even wants to get to know me?” he asked, some of his hardness returning. “Or maybe that’s the point of all this—a way to lure me into a trap. It’s exactly whatshewould do.”

“Camillia isn’t Vivaxia,” I told him, unafraid to use the evil bitch’s name. “But a good way to confirm that would be to get to know Cami better, hmm? And you’re correct—she probably doesn’t want to know you right now since youthreatened her life.”

A subtle wind blew around his shoulders, causing his long hair to ruffle like his old wings. “Your anger is unnerving me, Melek.”

“Why? Because you want to counter it with some of your own eternal fire?” I taunted him, aware that my king possessed enough anger to burn the entire universe down a thousand times over. “You threatened my intended. I’m allowed to be angry.”

“I’m trying to protect you,” he grated out. “And you’re being fucking ungrateful.”

I took a step back, my heart squeezing in my chest. “I am not ungrateful, Typhos. But I’m starting to think you might be.”

The fury fled from his features, replaced by a remorseful expression that made him appear so much younger than his ancient aura. “Melek—”

“I know you’re under a lot of pressure to restart the bride trials. And I know this portal mess is stressing you out. However, I won’t allow you to speak to me like this, Typhos. Nor will I allow you to hurt Camillia De la Croix without proper cause. Sometimes those we see as threats can become our greatest allies. But only if we let them.”

There wasn’t much else for me to say, so I disappeared into our closet to change. Cami’s pleasure still swam through my veins, but my mood had plummeted to the depths of Lucifer’s fall.

I was in the middle of pulling on my pants when Ty appeared behind me, his arms encircling my bare torso as he tugged me back into his chest.

“Don’t leave like this, little prince,” he whispered. “Please.” He buried his face in my neck, his hair falling across my shoulders. “I’ll always protect you, even when you don’t want me to.”

“I don’t need you to protect me from Camillia.”

“You can’t be sure of that.” His voice was soft, but his words were sure. “But you’re right. I can’t be certain she’s a threat until I properly evaluate her. However, I haven’t had time.”

“I know.” I turned toward him, my palms going to his face. “And I’m not asking you to do it immediately. But I am asking that you not do anything rash—like kill her if she accidentally touches the source again.”

His jaw clenched beneath my hands. “I don’t want her near the source.”

“I don’t think she wants to be near the source either,” I told him. “But she’s struggling to control her power. Which tells me she has no idea what she is or where she actually came from.”

“I’d have Az renew his search for her father, but we need him focused on the Virtuous Fae.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “So keeping Camillia here with Ajax for the time being makes sense. You can keep a closer eye on her and Ajax will guard her, all while Az and I continue our hunt.”

Which had unfortunately not gone all that well so far, but we were still tracking a few leads. We’d only come back here to share our findings with Ty and gather some supplies. I’d handled the former before going to see Camillia while Az had put in a few sparring hours with Ajax and was now hunting for the items we needed.

Ty’s forehead touched mine. “How can I trust Ajax to guard her when he’s busy fucking her?”

“I would argue that him fucking her is going to make him that much more inclined to protect her, Ty.”

“I don’t want herprotected. I want herwatched.”

My lips twitched. “Those two desires often go hand in hand, and our dear Warden is well suited for the position.”

Ty grunted. “That remains to be seen.”

“You just want an excuse to play with him,” I told him. “You forget that I know you, my king. Punishment is your foundation, and Ajax has just earned one in your mind. You’re not upset. You’re excited. Tell me I’m wrong.”

His blue eyes glittered as he met my gaze. “He’s given me a reason to remove her from the trials. One that I can actually explain to our fae.”

“But he’s not a Hell Fae,” I hedged. “He can’t claim her.”

“No, but he can be punished for trying,” he said, that hint of excitement I’d anticipated coming through in his words. He didn’t sound excited, nor did he look it, but as I’d told him, I knew him.

“And she can be removed for being tainted by his Midnight Fae touch,” I added. “Yes?”