Page 19 of Hell Fae Warden

Zakkai.

I was about to correct him when he appeared in the doorway holding a dark-haired little fae in his arms. Her big blue eyes immediately went to Shade as she spread out her arms and shrieked, “Daddy!”

I blinked, incapable of understanding the scene before me. While I knew Shade had indeed fathered a little hellspawn—I’d even met her before—it was difficult to comprehend what I was seeing.

To witness my oldest friend shadow directly to her side to sweep her up into a big hug was… mind-boggling.

My rebellious best friend who had bitten a pretty little Earth Fae against her will, thus forcing the mate-bond upon her without permission.

My crude best friend who’d commonly skipped classes when we were young just to piss off his Councilman father.

My cruel best friend who had wielded secrets like daggers, somehow saving the Midnight Fae world with his slippery thoughts and quick-witted ploys.

My loving best friend who is now nuzzling his nose against the four-year-old in his arms.

I blinked again and shook my head. “You brought Florica to witness this interrogation?” I couldn’t even fathom what Aflora would do about this when she found out. She’d probably wrap tree vines around all three of their dicks and hang them upside down near a burning thwomp.

“No, I’m picking her up from Zakkai and Zeph so they can help you with your truth pursuits while I give Florica a tour of this historic site.” He gave her a devilish smile. “Are you ready to play with fire, baby girl?”

She held out her palm and showed him a glowing ball of cerulean magic. “Yes!”

“That’s my little princess,” Shade cooed, kissing her on the cheek.

She preened, her big eyes smiling until she spotted Camillia in the chair, dressed in snakes. I winced a little as Florica’s happy face melted into a frown. “Who’s that, Daddy?”

He followed her line of sight to Camillia and replied, “That’s your uncle Ajax’s intended mate.”

My jaw clenched at his description, an argument lining up on my lips.

But he wasn’t done talking.

“They’re currently playing a game, somewhat similar to the ones Daddy Zeph likes to play with Mommy.” He cast a cheeky glance at Zeph, but the Warrior Blood merely grunted in reply while Zakkai smirked.

“Ohhh.” Florica’s lips formed a big “O” with the sound. “Like hide-and-seek?”

“Yes, a lot like hide-and-seek.”

Her little nose curled upward. “But with snakes?” She cupped her hand over her mouth to loudly whisper, “Snakes are grossss. They hissss.”

“They do hiss, but not all snakes are gross. You like Raph,” he pointed out, referring to Zeph’s familiar—a three-headed snake. Because of course the Warrior Blood would have a deadly creature as his magical familiar.

Florica’s eyes lit up. “Daddy Zeph’s snake is my friend.”

“He’s Mommy’s friend, too,” Shade agreed, casting another wicked look at Zeph.

The Warrior Blood simply shook his head.

“And now Uncle Ajax is trying to convince the nice lady in the chair to play with his snake, too,” Shade went on, making me want to deck him. “So why don’t we let them play while you and I go cast some spells, hmm?”

Florica lit up like the sun, reminding me very much of her Earth Fae mother. “Yes!”

Shade kissed her again on the cheek before saying, “You all play nice now.” He glanced around me. “And, Camillia, I apologize for Ajax’s lack of manners. I’ll make sure he introduces us properly at Lucifer’s Ball in a few months.”

I glared at my fortune-telling best friend. “Shade—”

“Let’s go make a big fire in the former council chamber, hmm?” His eyes were on his daughter while he spoke. “We can start with your grandfather’s old chair, then we’ll find evil Constantine’s old roots and burn them, too.”

Her eyes lit up with excitement, a spell twisting from her lips that caused her arm to go up in flames.