“The Hell Fae Kingdom,” I said, reiterating his term from earlier.
“Yes. A place where fae with mixed backgrounds, such as yourself, can safely reside without judgment or the threat of violence from the other fae realms. We don’t use the termabominationhere. We simply embrace fae kind, taking in those the others fear, and give them a home.”
“But they’re considered different from Nightmare Fae,” I hedged, trying to ensure I understood.
“Yes. Nightmare Fae are more specific; their origins typically align with a single species rather than several.” He leaned against the balcony rail and met my gaze.
“Okay, meaning they’re not Hell Fae because they don’t have a mixture of fae types inside them,” I said, starting to understand.
“Yes. Thus a Naga, for example, is a Nightmare Fae because he is solely of Naga origin. Whereas Azazel is a Hell Fae because he has mixed ancestry. His father was a Hell Fae—part Paradox Fae, Corpse Fae, and Ghoul—while his mother was a purebred Black Phoenix Fae.”
I hadn’t known that about Azazel. Well, I’d known the Phoenix part. But the other half was just as intense.
However, I still didn’t comprehend one thing. “Why not just refer to the Naga as, well, a Naga?”
“Because Nagas are a type of Nightmare Fae. Just like Ruby Dragons and Centaurs and Minotaurs. They’re all types of Nightmare Fae.”
“Because they’re, uh, sort of like monsters? Therefore, they’re Nightmare Fae?” I guessed. I wasn’t trying to stereotype; it was just that I’d never known these mythical beings actually existed until I’d become a Hell Fae Bride. Lucifer had obviously hidden them all well.
So what does it mean that I’m learning about all this now? Because Melek just felt like sharing and trusted me not to say anything? Or because he knew I won’t be alive long enough to use the information?
Melek lifted a shoulder. “That’s one way to define it. I choose to see them as misunderstood creatures rather than monsters, but many of the fae realms would reject them for the latter, calling themnightmarishandmonstrous.”
Hearing his definition had me reconsidering my own terms. “Misunderstood creatures sounds better.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” he mused, smiling at me. “It also happens to be true, something I think you recently learned in your trials, yes?”
The mirages, I thought, translating his words.He’s talking about the mirages.
I’d noticed the auras around certain Nightmare Fae while running through the Barren Lands. Certain Centaurs were violent, while others… others seemed to be almost kind. Loving, even.
But something Melek had said made me frown. “You said this kingdom was built for Hell Fae that can’t survive in the Nightmare Fae environments.” It wasn’t exactly what he’d said word for word, but it’d been implied.
His hypnotic gaze sparkled from the incoming light, giving him an otherworldly glow that almost distracted me from my train of thought.
Except I was rather hung up on a certain detail now, one that had me narrowing my eyes.
“So how are the Hell Fae Brides supposed to survive in the Barren Lands? Unless that kingdom is considered habitable?” I couldn’t help the note of sarcasm in my voice. Because no way in Hell’s realms was that environment considered hospitable.
He smiled. “The Nightmare Fae mate-bonds will ensure the Hell Fae Brides survive.”
I didn’t return his smile. “Meaning the choice will be for the brides to either mate their captors or die?”
“Those who find themselves to be suitable mates won’t deny the bond. That’s the whole point of the trials.” He canted his head. “Did they look terrified to you, or pleased?”
A trick, I thought. Because they had looked absolutely horrified until I’d seen through the mirage. “Their screams suggested they weren’t thrilled by the prospect,” I hedged.
Melek studied me with a knowing look while amusement flirted with his lips. “Well, I suppose we’ll see how you feel after the next trial.”
I blanched at the thought. “And when will that be?”Does that also mean I’ll still be alive for it?I added mentally.
“That’s a question for Ty,” he murmured. “Which reminds me, we should continue our tour.”
He didn’t give me a chance to ask anything else, instead turning away from the balcony and leaving the room through a different exit—this one also guarded by silent sentries.
I nearly tripped over my heeled boots in an effort to keep up. “I’m going to break my neck in these things,” I muttered.
Melek’s soft dimples returned. “Proper Hell Fae attire will grow on you. After all, you’re likely going to be staying here for a while.”
