Page 122 of Hell Fae Warden

I was just an asset for my father to trade to Lucifer.

Fucking Father of the Year Award goes to good ol’ Dad.

“I know,” the first bride responded as she closed her fist. “I’m not looking to impress the Nightmare Fae. I like my Hell Fae sponsor. So I’ll win this trial by proving I’m more trouble than I’m worth.”

Right, because failing a trial still meant death. Leaving two remaining options for candidates—become a Nightmare Fae Bride and live with the monsters in their inhospitable land or make it to the end of the trials unscathed and become a member of Lucifer’s Court.

Another candidate snorted and crossed her arms. “You actually want to be a Hell Fae Bride and live in the Hell Fae Kingdom? Not me. My sponsor issoannoying. I’d gladly live in the swamp to avoid him.”

I winced when I realized this woman probably didn’t know she was being broadcast right now.

“I’m hoping to be picked by a Naga,” she added with a wink. “I hear they have specialtails.”

She seemed pleased with herself until a flash burst through her necklace, breaking it.

Another girl, one I’d dubbed “Queen Bitch” during the first trial, barked a laugh. “You’re an idiot. We’re probably live right now and your sponsor just heard you. There goes your gift. Good luck passing the trial now.”

The girl’s face fell as the screen moved to another side of the room, scanning the less excited candidates who didn’t seem to have as many gifts as the Elite crew.

“What’s an Unseelie?” one female whispered to another.

“No clue. What’s a Naga…?”

“I heard there was a secret section of the library that has insight into the trials and the monsters we’re facing. The Elites seem to know where it is, but they won’t tell us.”

Ah, that explains their knowledge, then.Although, maybe a parent or a sponsor had told one of them about that section. Regardless, they definitely had a leg up on the others.

However, all this confirmed was that the brides were just as inadequately prepared as before.

So what were they doing for the last month?

Ajax entered from the bedroom with his damp hair hanging attractively around his eyes. He glanced at the screen and hummed as he sat beside me on the couch, a cup of coffee magically appearing in his hand.

“I see the brides are having their last meal,” he murmured, his gaze scanning the screen. “That means the trials will be starting in two or three hours.”

I swallowed. “Right.” Lucifer hadn’t actually given everyone a time, but Ajax had projected it would be around midday like the last trial.

“The real purpose of the meal isn’t to feed them, though. It’s this.” He gestured with his chin at the live feed. “It’s all a test, a way to ensure their hearts are in the right place.”

“I suppose that explains why one of the girls just lost her gift—she said some unpleasant things about her sponsor.”

Ajax grunted. “Yeah, that would do it.”

I frowned. “Okay, but the only way a bride can win a gift is by flirting with a sponsor, which is… wrong. Right? And to punish them for doing exactly what they’re supposed to do…?”

I probably wasn’t making any sense, my mind struggling to comprehend the wholesponsorshipprocess. I also didn’t really like the Elites, but I still felt bad for the girl who had lost her token. She’d just been playing the game the way it was designed to be played.

“No one is being punished,” Ajax said, his focus on the screen. “It’s just a consequence. If a Hell Fae gives a gift, it’s because he wants that bride to survive to become his. If she doesn’t want him, then she shouldn’t have his gift. She’ll be better off looking for a different suitor.”

“Okay, except I thought the whole point was to ensure the brides survived. If not for the Hell Fae himself, then for the potential Nightmare Fae mating.”

“True,” he agreed. “But if she’s going to try to manipulate the game in her favor, then she might not be worthy of either. Or she might be an ideal candidate for another Nightmare Fae entirely. Of course, the Unseelie are pretty fond of tricksters. So this trial might be her fate after all.”

“Are they watching this, too?”

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I’ve only seen the broadcast on this side of the realm, not on the Nightmare Fae side.”

“So they might not know what she’s done or said.”