They’re not running, at least notawayfrom you, my king,Melek assured me as he grabbed a fizzy drink from one of the wandering gargoyles. He took a delicate sip.
Ask her where they are,I demanded. I would have asked Az, but he hadn’t let me back in yet, his barrier a solid fixture in my mind that I didn’t want to touch.
I can’t,Melek muttered.Az taught her how to block me at some point over the last week, and, well, it’s impressive… and frustrating.
She blocked you?I asked, surprised that this was the first he’d mentioned it.
Melek’s expression fell just for a moment, the blink of time too quick for anyone else to notice. But I’d seen it clearly, and I’d felt how much the knowledge had pained him, too.
I frowned.You’re hurt.
She doesn’t trust me yet,he replied.I need to give her time.
I snorted.You’ve given her everything. She’s a fool if she doesn’t see how lucky she is to have earned your affections.
Melek had chosen Camillia as his mate months ago, blessed her with his gifts and his guidance, hisprotection, but she continued to reject him in favor of the two other fae.
And now she was putting up walls?
Melek didn’t deserve rejection, but to mend this situation required me to mate Ajax so I could bring all of the danger that was wrapped up in a pretty little package named Camillia De la Croix under control.
This will be settled soon,I promised him.
“Hmm,” Melek replied aloud as he sipped his bubbly beverage again, now winking at a certain Selkie Shifter who was clearly checking him out.
I rolled my eyes.Norden.A fucking Winter Fae Prince, thanks to his recent mating with Lark, the Winter Fae King.
The Selkie was sinful, sensuous, and downright flirtatious.
Just like Melek.
Which made it no mystery as to why the two had crafted a friendship.
Norden plucked a blue stick of crystal-like candy from a container and gave it a generous lick, keeping eye contact with my prince the whole time.
Bristling, I clasped Melek’s nape in a clear demonstration of my claim.
Jealous, my love?Melek chimed in my head, clearly delighted to be the center of attention.
Why doesn’t he flirt with his own mate-circle?I ground out.
Because he knows I like your possessive side,Melek purred back.He’s goading you as a favor to me. And he’s taunting me with his candy. I want the recipe, yet he refuses to share it.
I didn’t ask him why he wanted the recipe because I already knew. Selkie candy caused orgasmic dreams, and I could only imagine who Melek wanted to give a piece to.
He asked me recently if I would give him a rope demonstration,Melek went on.Apparently, he wants to tie Artica up as a Christmas present for Lark and Kalt. I told him I’d do it in exchange for the recipe. He refused.He paused as Norden popped the candy into his mouth and closed his eyes.Maybe he’s reconsidering.
I was about to issue a retort—something along the lines ofMaybe the Selkie has a death wish—when the hairs along the back of my neck stood on end.
My attention snapped in the direction of the electric wave, my lips parting at finding the source of static.
Camillia De la Croix.
She stood at the top of the winding staircase, her golden appearance reminiscent of an angel.
Fuck. She was absolutely stunning.
The anger that had been simmering inside my chest twisted into a sensation I dared not name. Perhaps it was the way her dirty-blonde hair curled over her pert breasts or the way the slit in her glittering dress ran all the way up her thigh.
