Page 128 of Hell Fae Warden

Ajax’s anger was still there, but simmering underneath another emotion. One I had seen on the Warden far too many times to not recognize it.

Acceptance.It created a cold shield around him, one that seemed to justify the blurred lines when it came to his king.

“I don’t have a choice, Camillia. And neither do you.”

Oh, it’s Camillia now? Not Cami anymore?I wanted to ask.

Instead, I countered with “You could at least conjure me a weapon if you’re going to be altering things.”

Ajax simply gave me an exasperated look as if he just wanted this day to be over with already. “Let’s go.”

He didn’t wait for me to reply, simply led the way. I narrowed my gaze at his back. Well, even if he’d accepted this fate, it didn’t mean I had to.

I’d find a weapon. I’d use my teeth, my feet, my hands, mymagic—if I could figure out how to conjure it.

But if I was so “powerful,” then I didn’t have to put up with this shit. If I was asked to take off this feathery coat, I’d make sure there was hell to pay.

Or that was my plan, anyway.

Until the throbbing between my thighs took over my mind.

It grew with each step as we headed toward the palace’s ground level, the metal knobs rubbing against my sex and making it hard to breathe.

We paused after passing a group of Hellhounds, giving me an opportunity to rest. I leaned on one of the red marble stones for support and sucked in gulps of warm air while I clutched my talisman for a refreshing wave of cool magic.

“Are you okay?” Ajax asked with a note of concern. “Is there some kind of draining magic on the chains?”

He reached out to touch me, but I stopped him with a raised hand and a strangled sound.

Feeling Ajax’s energy right now might just tip me over the edge, and Ireallydidn’t want to explain why I was about to have an orgasm in the middle of the palace. He’d given me enough of those to realize what was happening.

No, not magic. Just friction…

“I’m fine,” I said instead once I was able to stop trembling.

Ajax matched my slower pace and didn’t ask me if I was okay again, but the tension was palpable.

He knew something was wrong. Which was apparent because he kept sneaking glances at me.

Sweat dripped down my hairline when we reached the palace gates, and I regretted not opting for a ponytail.

Ajax nodded to the Hell Fae guarding the doors and patiently waited while they opened them for us.

A magical snap rushed over my skin when we left the compound, but I almost didn’t feel it when the city came into view.

I’d managed a glimpse of the dark buildings from the upper balcony with Melek, but being on the street provided a new experience. The city reminded me a bit of Chicago with its laid-back vibe and subtle winds, only the surroundings were cleaner and the breeze was hot rather than chilly.

It was exactly the kind of environment that suited me.

Powerful.

Dark.

Exciting.

I felt like I was in the middle of a controlled storm, one with various currents and channels that worked in unison to create the thunder that boomed all around us.

I hadn’t realized I was smiling until Ajax’s shoulders sagged in clear relief. He was probably glad to see that nothing too serious was going on with me. “I’ve been wanting to bring you down here,” he admitted. “But I wasn’t sure if you’d like it. Nor was I sure if it was allowed.”