But if Melek’s suggestion that I’d reached Lucifer’s source on my own was true, then my life was definitely in danger.
Because I didn’t see the Hell Fae King tolerating that sort of threat.
“If all of this is true, then I’m already dead,” I whispered. “Lucifer is going to kill me.”
Melek didn’t seem fazed. “No, little angel. He’s not. And you’re going to help protect yourself by getting to know him better—by reading his book.”
I stared at him. “How will that help me get to know the Hell Fae King?”
“Because the bookisTyphos Lucifer,” Melek replied. “It’s part of his soul. Which is why I found you so intriguing the first day I met you and why you continue to fascinate me. You’re strong. Courageous. Extremely intelligent. Resourceful.” He glanced over me with those hypnotic irises. “Beautiful, too.”
My cheeks heated beneath his perusal, only for my pulse to start racing as he stood and advanced toward me.
“Understanding how to communicate with Ty will only secure your safety, Cami,” he said softly. “The book is the key to learning how to do that. Because, as I said, the book is Typhos Lucifer. Part of him, anyway. And that part of him wants to know you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to read it.”
His palm met my cheek as his opposite hand went to my hip.
“I think that’s why you were able to reach the source, too. It’s a piece of his soul, just like Vita. And those pieces have chosen you. Embrace them and Ty will embrace you, too.”
“Why would I want that?” I asked him, my gaze holding his. “Why would I want any of this?” I frowned. “And how do I know this isn’t your doing?” He’d been there the day I’d found the book. “Maybe you’re the reason I can read Vita.”
Humor touched his gaze as he moved closer, his body pressing into mine. “I may be Ty’s mate, but I don’t have the power to let anyone touch his soul. Only his eternal magic can do that.”
I pondered that for a moment.
Eternal magic?What did that mean? It almost reminded me of what I’d overheard through the portal.
A portal the book had encouraged me to create.
To learn more about Lucifer?I wondered.More about the realm? More about Melek and Az?
They were both important to Lucifer. So maybe it’d been about them.
Or maybe my first instinct was correct—that the book had been trying to teach me about Lucifer.
“Virtuous magic,” I said slowly, recalling the term I’d overheard that day.
Melek’s eyes widened, giving me a full view of the array of colors sparkling around his pupils. “Little angel. It’s not often that I’m surprised.” He tilted his head. “So you have been reading a little, then.”
“Not enough to know what it means,” I hedged.
“Then I suggest you open up the right book and continue your education,” he replied, his words warm against my mouth. “Now, before I go…”
His hand slid from my hip to my lower back as his other palm went to my nape.
I trembled beneath his touch, shocked that he was holding me so close, so intimately, soperfectly.I’d been craving a male’s touch all week, my hormones begging for a repeat performance with Ajax or Az.
But this… this I hadn’t expected. This I hadn’t realized I’d even wanted until now.
Which was a lie.
A complete and utterlie.
Because I’d been attracted to Melek from the first time I’d seen him. His games were a deterrent, yet also insightful, and I found his candor most recently to be quite charming.
So why isn’t he kissing me yet?I wondered.Why is he holding me so closely without closing the distance between our mouths?
“To heighten the moment,” he whispered, sending a shock down my spine.Can he hear me?“And to remind you of our vows,” he went on, his thumb brushing my pulse. “You are my intended, Camillia De la Croix. But it will be your choice in the end. A temporary courtship or a lifelong eternity?”
