Page 138 of Hell Fae Warden

Black flames danced in Az’s gaze as he faced me, his Phoenix peeking out from the depths of his eyes. They were quickly squashed by his usual violet.

“I’ve bound you to protect you,” he muttered under his breath. “If you fight this, your punishment will worsen. You have to know that.”

Maybe I did.

But that didn’t mean I had to like it or accept it.

“Just let him have his fun torturing you, and he’ll reward you later,” Az added, his voice still pitched low in case the surrounding Hell Fae were trying to listen.

Most of them had returned to their booths, their focus on the trials unfolding via the screens. Only a few were still lingering about, but they were more interested in studying Cami’s breasts than listening to me and Az.

“I don’t care about my punishment,” I hissed at him. “I care about Cami. She didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Maybe this isn’t a punishment for her so much as a test,” Az countered. “A way to prove her mettle in an intense situation.”

Frowning, I studied Cami and considered Az’s suggestion.A test, not a punishment.

A test for what?

To see how long she can withstand this humiliation?

She stood with her feet braced and her arms hanging limply at her sides, but the tension in her shoulders told me she wouldn’t be able to maintain that position much longer.

It’d been a few hours already, and the trials weren’t even close to being done. The brides were still in Unseelie territory, with very few of them having passed the trial. And they had to go to the Naga region of the Marsh Lands next.

Maybe he’s testing her endurance,I thought, admiring her confident form.Or how long she can just take his cruelty without speaking.

“Why would he test her?” I asked Az. “To see if she’s worthy of Melek’s intentions?”

Az lifted a shoulder. “I know better than to ask Typhos questions. He’ll explain his reasons when he’s ready.”

I clenched my jaw. Cami’s words about jumping off a cliff under Lucifer’s orders came rushing through my mind, her accusation one I felt to my very soul.

Because I would follow his orders to the grave.

Yet something about this was different. I wanted to break free of Az’s energy chains and release Cami, help her escape this realm, this situation, thiseverything. And say “fuck it all” to Lucifer’s games.

For the first time in a very long time, I wanted to put someone else first.

To do what I felt was right instead of just accepting this fate or assuming my superior had a decent motive.

Lucifer had always proved wise, his decisions frequently impacting others in a positive manner rather than a negative one.

But this… I couldn’t see anything positive in this situation.

Cami winced, her palms grabbing the fiery bars before yanking them back with a hiss. My body jolted—or tried to—as she fell to her knees, her legs giving out beneath her.

Az glanced up at the stage, obviously having heard her soft cry of pain, but did nothing to help her as she rocked forward, her palms meeting the ground.

The cage wobbled a little, making my brow draw downward.

It seemed the contraption was balancing on a sphere somehow.Is that why she remained so still?I wondered.Because she could feel the balance of it shifting?

But she hadn’t been able to stand anymore, her limbs shaking from the effort, and now she appeared to be panting as her cage rattled and moved.

Several other Hell Fae had ceased watching the screens, their attention on Cami’s quivering form. Her breasts hung in full display, but the chains kept her lower half hidden. Although, she seemed to be clenching her thighs, like she was trying to ensure the garment stayed on.

Wait, no…I narrowed my gaze.I recognize that action.