A giggle escaped me at the notion, my mind clearly high on whatever Melek had just done to me.
I paused.
Wait…
I shouldn’t be enjoying this. I… I should be fighting this. What rule had I just created?
Hell Fae Rule #47…
What did it say?
It Doesn’t Matter How Beautiful They Are…
They’ll Always Disappoint You in the End.
My eyes flew open to meet Melek’s sparkling gaze, the colors vibrant and rampant as he stared down at me. His emotions were veiled behind a pleasant smile, one I found rather appealing until I realized I was being cradled in his lap. With my head against his shoulder.
Fuck.
I scrambled off of him and scurried across the bed until my back hit an icy wall. Fortunately, my shirt somewhat saved my skin. Which told me he’d put it back on me at some point.
“What just happened?” I demanded.
“I healed you.” His blunt reply momentarily stunned me. Melek usually spoke in riddles or avoided answers with cleverly worded statements. But he’d answered me without hesitation.
“Why?” I hedged, curious to see how far this forthcoming side of him would go.
“Because you were hurt and because I can.” He shrugged. “You’re not technically a Hell Fae Bride at the moment, so there are no rules at play. I can give you whatever I want, including a new meal, if you’re hungry.”
My stomach chose that moment to respond for me, causing his lips to twitch.
“Your spaghetti is cold, and your Warden is busy playing with a pissed-off Black Phoenix. So I see no reason why I can’t provide you with the comforts you need, if you’d like them.”
“Does one of those comforts include getting me out of this snake-infested hellhole?” I asked dryly.
He smiled. “Maybe. I suppose that depends on how your truth session with Ajax went.”
“You mean he didn’t tell you?” I couldn’t hide the sarcasm in my voice. “He doesn’t believe anything I’ve said. And he probably never will. All he cares about is his wounded reputation.”
“Hmm.” Melek’s noncommittal hum seemed to reverberate around me. “What have you told him?”
Part of me wanted to say,Why don’t you go ask him?But instead I replied, “Why do you want to know? I imagine you won’t believe me either.”
“On the contrary, Camillia. I think I might be the only one who would.” His use of my full name and the seriousness of his tone had me wondering if that was true.
But Rule #47 repeated in my thoughts.
I couldn’t trust any of these fae. They didn’t care about me. Not really. I was just a toy for them to play with, a doll to be married off at some future trial.
Except Melek had said I was no longer a Hell Fae Bride.At the moment.Had he meant that? “Why am I no longer a Hell Fae Bride?”
He arched a brow at me. “I thought you didn’t want to be one?”
“I don’t. So I want to know how I’m suddenly not one. And what you meant byat the moment.” I did a poor imitation of his voice, but he didn’t seem to notice.
He shrugged. “The trials are on hold. You’re also currently under observation as a potential threat to the Hell Fae Source, which disqualifies you from the bridal games.”
I blinked at him. “A threat to the source?” I didn’t want to be a bridal candidate at all, but that somehow sounded much worse. “Wh-what does that mean?”
