CAMI
Az’s pupils pulsated,his violet irises thin and enlarging around them as though he and his Phoenix were still at war for control.
But clearly the man inside him had taken over once more.
Leaving me staring at a very pissed-off fae instead of a besotted Black Phoenix. I wasn’t sure why his inner beast had decided to claim me; however, it’d been nice while it’d lasted.
“Blade,” Az repeated. “Now.”
I looked up at him, my gaze narrowing. “You know what? No. I don’t think so.”
Both his dark brows rose. “Excuse me?”
“I’m certain you heard me, but I’ll repeat it just in case—No.” I folded my arms across my chest, unfazed by the simmering male before me. “MyPhoenix gave it to me as a gift, and I don’t feel like returning it.”
Az’s nostrils flared as obsidian flames overtook his eyes, only to be squashed by a wave of vibrant purple. “It’s not a request, Camillia. That blade is mine.”
“No, it belonged to your Black Phoenix. But he gave it to me. And I’m keeping it.” I was probably playing with literal fire here, but I was done being pushed around for today.
Unfortunately, Az had other ideas, something he proved when he grabbed me by the throat and shoved me up against the wall.
“Az.” Ajax appeared right behind him, his expression wary. “Don’t do this.”
“I want my blade back.” Fury underlined Az’s tone, sending a chill down my spine. His Black Phoenix might like me, but the man he cohabited with very clearly did not.
And both were equally lethal.
Yet, I found myself holding his gaze without flinching. If he wanted that knife back, he’d have to take it off of me himself. At least then I wouldn’t be offending his animal side by giving up so easily.
Az’s grip tightened, cutting off my air supply as his opposite hand went to my hip. “You have no idea who you’re challenging, little warrior.”
I wasn’t trying to challenge anyone. I was simply doing what felt right—which included raising a brow back at him in response. Wasting my air seemed impractical when I could convey my reply nonverbally.
His eyes slanted into a glare that rivaled my own, his body coming closer to crowd me against the wall. I didn’t try to fight him. Didn’t wrap my hand around his wrist in an effort to negotiate my release. I simply stared at him, waiting for him to do whatever the fuck he planned to do.
Electricity charged between us, causing all the hairs along my arms to stand on end in warning.
This being is dangerous. Old. Capable of killing me without blinking.
My instincts fired on all ends, my lungs burning with the need for air.
Yet I couldn’t seem to back down. It felt wrong, like I would be losing something incredibly important if I gave in to his demand.
“Az,” Ajax tried again, his palm landing on Az’s shoulder. “Let her go.”
The stubborn male before me didn’t budge, his grip cemented around my throat and threatening to crush my windpipe. His violet rims began to appear ominous, darkening with lethal promise. But I caught the hint of his Phoenix in his pupils, the flicker of fire acting as a beacon of his approval.
Or perhaps I was just reading into the situation and morphing it into a fantasy.
Maybe I even had a death wish.
After everything that had happened today, I wouldn’t be surprised. I hadn’t even been able to properly torture Ajax. Because the moment he’d started revealing his truths, I’d been paralyzed by my own emotions.
He’d lived through hell.
That didn’t make up for what he’d done to me today, and I wasn’t sure I truly forgave him. However, at least I understoodwhyhe’d done it.
It had helped us come to a tenuous agreement, one we hadn’t actually spoken about, but he believed me now. And I believed him.
