“No, I meantheircounter,” I murmured as I ran my fingers along a particularly beautiful dress.
Cami would look stunning in this gold sheen.
And not just because it reminded me of her ethereal magic.
“Ty might not be ready to embrace our growing circle, but it’s already done,” I added softly, somewhat enchanted by the silky fabric. “Az, Ajax, and Cami are all thoroughly mated. Anything Ty offers to Ajax is offered to all of them.”
“So you’re expecting Cami to offer herself up in Ajax’s place,” he replied bluntly.
I paused my admiration of the gold dress to look at him. “Zenaida recently asked me to indulge her in a game of chess. I believe you should join us.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“You can take it however you like,” I said, fully facing him. “Why am I here, Zakkai?”
“Multitasking,” he replied. “I really do need to pick up Aflora’s dress, and I decided you would be entertaining company for the journey.”
I huffed a laugh. “Testing out our new friendship?”
“Considering possible alliances, yes.”
“Hmm. And what is your evaluation thus far?”
“Cocky, arrogant, powerful, and playful,” he replied without hesitation. “Zephyrus is going to hate you.”
I arched a brow. “And you?”
“Will very likely favor you in every argument against Zephyrus,” he admitted, his lips twitching just slightly before he sighed in frustration. “Please stop fondling my ass and bring me Queen Aflora’s gown.”
A tinkling giggle responded to his statement. “As the king wishes.”
Zakkai rolled his eyes. “I’m not the king.”
“Four kings, one queen. Oh, but my… she is a very lucky queen indeed.” The feminine voice floated all over the room, followed by a chorus of agreement.
There were figments in the library near the Hell Fae Bride dormitories, making me quite familiar with the ghostlike creatures. They possessed penchants for trouble and flirting.
My kind of fun.
“I’d like to procure a gown, too,” I told them. “But I’ll need some jewelry and shoes to match.”
“Ohhh, the Hell Fae Prince wishes to speak to us, he does,” a figment breathed. “So handsome, he is.”
“Very handsome,” another cooed, rubbing up against me and pinching my ass.
I merely smiled. “Thank you, lovelies.” Then I provided Cami’s measurements—numbers I’d committed to memory long ago—and focused on Zakkai. “Would you mind delivering the garment to her guest suite? Or, better yet, pretending it’s a gift from the Midnight Fae Royal Family?”
“Worried she might reject it if she knows it’s from you?” he asked, sounding amused.
“I know she will,” I told him, not sharing his amusement. “Az and Ajax have rightfully claimed her. I… I have not.”
He sobered a bit, his silver-blue eyes flashing. “I may know a little about being on the outside of a mate-circle.” He glanced at the gold dress now hovering over our heads thanks to the helpful figments. “Consider the task handled.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “And consider me available to you, should you think of anything you’d like to ask.”
If Zakkai desired an ally, I’d accept. Besides, he might be useful to me. He was a Source Architect, used to unraveling complicated strands and realigning them in ways that benefited him and his mate-circle. Perhaps he could help me untangle the snare I’d created with Cami.
I’d wanted Ajax and Az to mate her, but it seemed my plan had worked a little too well.
