If Lucifer noticed the fleeting expression of appreciation, he didn’t show it. Instead, he held open the door and waved for us to enter.
The moment I stepped inside, I vividly remembered exactly why I didn’t trust Lucifer at my back.
Hellfire burned in winding red and blue pyres that lined the walls, surrounding the stage where Cami had been on display. A stage I’d been forced to stand guard beside, while paralyzed, thanks to Az’s suffocating power.
So what’s your next move, Hell Fae King?I wondered, glancing back at him.Going to force me to parade around naked on that stage? Show off how aroused I am by what your prince is doing to Cami right now?
Lucifer ignored me, though I suspected he no doubt felt my irritation. We didn’t have to be bonded for him to sense my ire.I wasn’t masking my facial features at all. Because I no longer cared to hide.
He’d pissed me off.
Now he wanted to play nice by giving me everything I desired—and more—without anything in return?
Yeah. Like I believed that.
“Your Majesty,” a Hell Fae greeted, the male wearing leather pants and a long red tie over a bare chest. Then he glanced at Az and bowed again, only to pause when he saw me. The note of surprise in his eyes wasn’t unexpected. I rarely spent time like this with the Hell Fae King.
And the last time I was here, he’d made a fool of me in front of his kingdom.
“Benedict,” Lucifer said, causing the Hell Fae to snap his attention away from me to focus on the king before him. “A bottle of Hellfire whiskey with three glasses, please.”
The male flinched, then bowed low enough for his dark hair to fall over his face. “Y-yes, right away,” he said and scurried off.
Lucifer turned and moved through the crowd, his mere presence causing everyone to step out of his way as he approached his usual booth.
Sometimes, he chose the throne on the stage. But apparently today wasn’t one of those days.
That night with Cami hadn’t been one of those nights, either. A special cage had been brought out for her instead.
I idly wondered if another would appear for me soon.
Kuro nibbled my ear, likely sensing my growing agitation.
An agitation that reached a boiling point as Lucifer said, “I brought you here for a reason.”
No shit,I thought.
Az nudged me into the booth as Lucifer took over the bench across from us, the Hell Fae King’s large form appearing even more pronounced than usual.
“Whatever punishment you have in mind, I’ll accept so long as Cami is unharmed,” I told him, my voice unwavering.
Two females—illusions crafted by the nightclub’s magic—appeared with our drinks before Lucifer could reply. The glasses were garnished with red flames, the fires making Kuro bristle on my shoulder.
When one of the illusions set the glass down, he nipped at her translucent form.
I smirked. “You never did like figments. I suppose it makes sense that you wouldn’t like this magic, either.”
Kuro huffed.
“I think he’s just mirroring your mood,” Lucifer said, humor in his voice. “That’s what familiars often do, yes?”
I grunted, not at all surprised that he understood Midnight Fae bonds with their familiars. But I opted not to give much away anyway. Because I didn’t trust him. Not one bit.
“And what mood do you think that is?” I asked him, my tone holding an edge to it.
The Hell Fae King hadn’t responded to my punishment statement, which only confirmed that was his exact intent for bringing me here. So of course I was in a testy mood.
And so was my owl.
