She still wore her dress from last night, the fabric barely covering her tits. And the scent coming off her suggested she hadn’t been given an opportunity to shower either. Which was unfortunate because it gifted me a rather potent introduction to her feminine perfume, one that reminded me of blossoming roses beneath the sun.
A hint of decadence underlined the fragrance.Melek. I inhaled deeply, both aroused and irritated by this development.
I supposed I could see the physical appeal, but other than that, I felt no draw toward her.
At least until her stormy gray irises met mine.Challenge. Spirit. Defiance.
An intoxicating blend.
Yes, perhaps I could see the allure after all. But I didn’t want to fucking mate her. If anything, I wanted to put her in a glass cage and guarantee her safety so that she couldn’t hurt Melek.
I narrowed my gaze, tempted to ask her about their mating.
But then I recalled the book and what it had reminded me last night.Trust.
I had to trust that my devious prince knew what he was doing here.
So rather than speak to her, I glanced at Ajax. “Anything worth noting?”
He shook his head. “She slept on the rug. I gave her food and water.”
I arched a brow, intrigued by that last bit, as they functioned as gifts. “Oh?”
My Warden lifted a shoulder. “She was under my care. I take that seriously.”
My eyebrow winged even higher. “Did you feed Clarence as well?” I wondered aloud, referring to the Centaur currently in his custody. He’d given my Warden quite the chase through Hell recently.
“Clarence isn’t scheduled for today’s trial. So no, I did not.”
“But if he was?” I pressed.
“I still wouldn’t feed that fucker.”
I smiled. “Good. He doesn’t deserve food.” As for Camillia De la Croix, well, that remained to be seen. I glanced at her once more, noting that hint of defiance still lurking in her gaze. Perhaps she would make it through this trial after all.
A good thing.
Because the last thing I desired was for Melek to feel true pain.
I dismissed Ajax and the girl with a nod before finishing my rounds.
All the while, I pondered the female that had ensnared the attention of my mate and my Warden. Ajax didn’t provide luxuries for any of the Nightmare Fae in his custody. So why Camillia? Because she was a potential bride? Because he actually wanted her to survive? Did he fancy her, too?
I would have to check in with him sometime after today’s trial, just to see how he reacted.
Ajax was a newer addition to my realm, his life experiences marking him as an ideal candidate to serve me as Warden. Az had also taken to him almost immediately, something that had factored into my decision. And Ajax maintained connections to the current Midnight Fae royal court. All of those items together pointed to the Midnight Fae Death Blood being a valuable asset.
And he had yet to fail me.
Nor had he ever actually requested a deal or anything from me at all, other than permission to reside within Zenaida’s paradigm. I’d agreed and requested he assist Az.
He’d risen in my ranks from there, earning his title as Warden.
I actually rather liked the Midnight Fae rebel.
Hopefully, that opinion never changed.
As for the girl, well, I’d see how she fared and go from there.
