Page 131 of Hell Fae Warden

Which made Camillia De la Croix a problem.

She’d been removed from the bride trials, and my Hell Fae required an explanation as to why. But I couldn’t simply say,It’s because she touched my source and I’m evaluating her.That would inspire panic—panic that would likely lead to a call for her death.

My little prince would suffer if that happened.

So I needed an alternative solution. A way to dismiss her from the trials but still allow her to remain within our realm.

And my Warden had provided me with the perfect option—I could use his infatuation as a reason to disqualify Camillia and also teach my other Hell Fae a lesson in the process.

The sponsoring program was about courtship, but that courtship could only go so far. My Hell Fae were aware of the rules. However, I hadn’t extended those rules to Ajax because I’d assumed he wouldn’t be interested in any of the brides.

While it was the truth—I truly hadn’t anticipated him wanting to be involved since he’d originally come here to avoid emotional entanglements with others—it also served as the perfect excuse to make an example of him.

An example that would distract my Hell Fae from Camillia’s disqualification and allow me to keep her in the realm for further observation.

A win-win, apart from the fact that Ajax was likely going to want to kill me for this. But Az would help me tame him.

Or, at the very least, Az would make him understand.

Meanwhile, I would simply enjoy the show.

And test Camillia’s resolve in the process,I mused.How strong are you really, little one? Strong enough to play my games? Or will that courage of yours wilt on the stage?

Melek might have already claimed her, but I needed to be certain of her worth before I truly accepted their match.

Thus far, I was solely convinced that she had cast a spell over my men. Some sort of enchantment I couldn’t see. Maybe because it didn’t appeal to me, thereby making me immune to her magic.

As I should be.

I’m the fucking Hell Fae King.

And dear Camillia De la Croix was about to find out exactly what that meant.

My jaw clenched, my eternal energy flowing warmly through my veins. It’d grown more intense recently, something I knew Melek had noticed. Az, too. But neither of them had commented on it, aware that it was my burden to bear.

Creation came at a cost.

It was a high price, one I was willing to pay to protect all those residing within my realm.

This was a safe haven. A utopia for all those discarded and abused by the places they used to call home. And this bar was one of my favorite gifts to them.

I used it as an outlet for my power, my internal inferno flowing freely from my spirit into the various elements of the club—the holographic screens over each booth, the ring of fire in the center of the room, and the stage beyond.

Normally, I kept a throne there.

Instead, I had another item hidden beneath my burning flames, one I’d be revealing shortly.

The sea of Hell Fae parted as the female I had been waiting for approached. They were all salivating at the chance to touch her, but that enchanted coat around her shoulders marked her as off-limits. As did the Warden’s palm upon her lower back.

Her expression remained stoic, but I caught the subtle hint of fear in her gray eyes, her irises rolling like untamed storms.

You should be frightened, I thought at her.You’re in my Hell now, little one. And I’m not known for my benevolence.

“I no longer like that look on your face,” Melek murmured.Why is she here, Ty?

To watch the trials with us, of course,I told him.

Although, she was here to bewatched, too.