Hell Fae Prince (Hell Fae #4)

6. Melek

CHAPTER 6

MELEK

“ Y ou look pleased,” Ty murmured as I sauntered out of the bathroom in my favorite robe. He sat against the headboard with just a pair of sweats on, a laptop in his lap. “I assume it has something to do with your Camillia?”

“Mmm, yes.” My lips curled even more. “Az just blew our Camillia’s mind, and she erupted in the way only a Virtuous Fae can.”

Ty had returned his gaze to his laptop but stilled his typing fingers upon hearing my words. “Glitter?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

I arched a brow. “You’re not going to question me? Or comment on Cami’s evolution?”

“I’m fully aware you strengthened your bond with the female, Melek,” he said softly, his fingers moving across his keyboard. “If you want to shock me, you’ll have to try harder.”

“I’m not trying to shock you, my love.”

“Oh?” He paused to glance up at me. “Just more games, then?”

“Are you upset with me?”

He grinned. “No, little prince.” He closed his laptop and set it aside, then slid out of bed to saunter toward me. “I’m simply no longer surprised when it comes to Camillia De la Croix.” He wrapped his palm around my nape, his opposite hand going to my hip. “You’ll have to try harder.”

I matched his amusement. “I mentioned our conversation about me tying her up so you can fuck her. It turned her on.”

He froze. “What?”

“Was that hard enough, my love?” I asked innocently, pressing my lips to his in a lighthearted gesture. “Oh, I suppose that’s a pun of sorts now, hmm?” I moved against his growing erection. “Well, remind me to tell you about her dreams later.”

“What dreams?” he asked right as a buzzing noise sounded.

“You’d better get that, Ty,” I murmured, stepping away from him. “We’ll discuss your starring performance in Cami’s dreams later.”

“Melek.”

“Ty.”

He tightened his hold on my nape, yanking me closer. “I’m never going to fuck her.”

I cocked my head. “Who are you trying to convince, my king? Me or you?”

He growled as the buzzing grew louder, the audience demanding his attention. Whoever was behind that alarm clearly possessed a death wish, because no one ordered Ty to do anything.

Releasing me, he walked over to his desk to click a button that brought up a screen. His tension mounted as an unexpected face appeared in the translucent space before him.

Well, that explains the demanding presence, I thought, taking in the dark features of the Mythos Fae staring boldly at Ty.

“Hades,” Ty greeted. “What an unexpected call.”

“Is it?” the godlike fae drawled, his sinister appearance befitting his role as the deity of the Netherworld Kingdom. “Somehow I doubt that.”

Ty slowly moved into his chair, his expression giving nothing away. “Maliki?” was all Ty asked.

“Indeed. I would like him back.”

I moved to stand behind Ty as he lounged back into his throne-like seat and brought his hand up to his mouth, his elbow on the arm of the chair. “Hmm. And why would I agree to that?”

“Because he has nothing to do with your Virtuous Fae problem,” Hades stated flatly, his English tones giving his voice a haughty lilt.

“And what do you know about my Virtuous Fae problem?” Ty countered, his tone and mind lacking any hint of surprise.

Virtuous Fae were not commonly known, their existence a long-kept secret. Mostly because their destruction had led to the creation of all the faedoms.

Except for one—the Mythos Fae.

They’d been around for as long as the Virtuous Fae had, their kind more godlike than angel-like. Historically, the two kinds tended to avoid one another. But Ty had made it his mission to befriend a few, knowing their presence in the Hell Fae Realm would help keep our fae safe.

Thus far, it had worked with the Mythos Fae enjoying their status as worshipped Gods among the various Hell Fae kingdoms. It resembled the fame they’d experienced eons ago when the Human Realm used to pay tribute to them.

Now humans just considered them to be a myth. Just like my kind, or angels, as the mortals often confused us with.

Poor humans. How feeble their minds are. And so easily manipulated, too.

Ty glanced back at me, clearly having heard my thoughts.

Sorry, just musing.

Hmm was all he said in reply before focusing on Hades. The godlike fae hadn’t responded yet, simply stared Ty down with the patience only an old, ancient being could possess.

“I assume the purpose of this call is to let me know you have information I may find valuable, and in exchange for that information, you’d like your pet back,” Ty summarized bluntly. “Yes?”

“You’ve been talking to Morpheus.”

Ty huffed a breath. “I would never invite a conversation with him; he has a penchant for fucking with my dreams.” Another glance my way. “Have you been talking to Morpheus? Perhaps about Camillia De la Croix?”

I pressed a palm to my heart. “Would I do that?”

“Yes.” Not an ounce of hesitation. “Have you?”

I smiled. “No. But I do like that idea, so thank you for sharing.” Morpheus, the God of Dreams, could be quite useful to me. “Excuse me, I need to make a call.” Ty reached out to grab my wrist, holding me in place.

“Maliki and Azazel are half brothers, and Azazel is mine. Therefore, I have a personally vested interest in Maliki’s well-being. Your relationship with him, whatever it may be, has not escaped my notice. Does that response satisfy you?”

“Not really,” Hades replied. “I would be more satisfied if you agreed to release Maliki. You’ve questioned him for long enough. The portal he opened simply offered a few Ghouls and Death Fae to claim some potential mates.”

“I believe you’re forgetting the Strigoi Prince who disappeared, too. As well as his lover, the rival family’s heir, yes?” It wasn’t common knowledge that the Strigoi Prince and his assassin were lovers, but Ty knew every secret that transpired in his various kingdoms.

Hades steepled his fingers on the desk before him, the shadows of his dark lair reminding me of Ty’s favorite den.

The two males were certainly similar.

Yet so vastly different at the same time.

Everything Ty did was for his people. Hades’s intentions were… to be determined.

But it was interesting that he’d called Ty for this favor. “What are you offering in exchange for Maliki’s release?” I wondered aloud, drawing Hades’s midnight gaze up to mine. We rarely spoke, but we’d known each other for a very long time.

“I could simply take him,” Hades pointed out.

“You could,” Ty agreed. “But you won’t.”

Hades sighed. “No, I won’t. I have no wish to deal with you, Typhos. I mean that in terms of agreements and general conversation.”

“Yet you called me.”

“Yes, I did. Because you’ve been questioning Maliki long enough to know he’s innocent.”

“That would require him to actually speak,” Ty replied. “Which he’s not doing.”

“Because I vowed him to secrecy and his loyalty is with me.”

“He’s one of my Nightmare Fae.”

“In my domain,” Hades countered.

“A domain I gave you.”

“In exchange for my protection. Don’t pretend that you did me any favors here, Hell Fae King. I don’t serve you. I choose to reside here because I like it here. But those fae are just as much mine as they are yours, and I would like Maliki back. Now .”

Ty’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t serve you, God Hades.”

The Mythos Fae snorted. “That’s a ridiculous title. The only one allowed to call me God is—” He cut off abruptly and cleared his throat. “I am not your God, Typhos.”

Ty leaned forward, his long hair falling over his broad, bare shoulders. “Stop posturing with me and tell me why I should free Maliki. And don’t say it’s because you asked nicely.”

Hades studied him for a long moment before shaking his head.

“You didn’t think you could take all those brides without a price, did you? That all those parents would just accept their fates and move on?” He matched Ty’s position by leaning forward. “Come now, Typhos. You, of all fae, are familiar with the concept of revenge.”

Ty said nothing, but his mind began dissecting the Mythos Fae’s words.

“Virtuous Fae love their deals and their games,” he added. “Surely you can see the larger picture here, Hell Fae King.”

“Enlighten me.”

Hades gave him a look that said he had no interest in providing any sort of enlightenment.

“Maliki doesn’t fit the profile you’ve built for your culprit. His portal was unique, he has full recollection of what he did, and he’s not apologetic for it. And most importantly, no one was injured. Some horny fae found mates. That’s hardly a crime. Now let him go, or I’ll come for him myself.”

The call ended with a profound click that left Ty and me staring at a blank screen.

“Looks like I need to have a personal visit with Maliki,” Ty said after a beat.

“Likely a good idea,” I agreed. “But I’m needed in the Midnight Fae Realm.”

Ty looked back at me. “You can’t stay away from her for more than a few hours, can you?”

I smiled. “It’s not Cami who wants to see me.” She was currently in the shower with Az and Ajax, trying to wash off her ethereal energy. I’d stop by to help, chat a bit, and then go meet with the fae awaiting my arrival. “Zakkai has questions.”

Ty frowned. “He reached out?”

“Not exactly.” I didn’t elaborate because I didn’t need to.

“Should I be worried?” Ty asked, a hint of concern underlining those words.

“No, love.” I leaned down to kiss him, my fingers brushing along his jaw. “I’ve told you countless times that everything I do is for you. I mean it.”

“I know you do,” he whispered. “But Zakkai isn’t an average player in the game.”

“Oh, he’s absolutely a threat,” I agreed, translating Ty’s words for what he actually meant to say. “However, I rather like him. He’s quite informative without meaning to be.”

Ty studied me for a beat, then shook his head. “Enjoy your playtime, Melek.”

“Always,” I said, kissing him once more. “Try not to kill Maliki. Hades seems quite fond of him.”

My king scowled. “No promises.”

I shrugged. “Well, invite me to the eventual battle, then. I’ll enjoy watching you and Hades play.”

“ Play is hardly what we would do.”

I smiled. “Watching you battle an unkillable godlike fae would absolutely qualify as foreplay, my love.” With that, I teleported to the closet to find a better outfit. I couldn’t very well show up in the Midnight Fae Realm wearing a robe.

Well, actually, I could.

And if I were going for just Cami, I would.

Alas, there were certain expectations for foreign dignitaries, ones I needed to respect if I wanted Zakkai to adhere to polite customs.

A suit, I decided, pulling an all-black one from the hanger.

As I stepped out into the suite, I found Ty in a similar outfit, only he’d gone with a midnight-blue dress shirt beneath, the color matching his oceanic eyes.

“I’m surprised you didn’t choose red,” I told him.

“Red would tempt me to bleed him. Not only would that piss off Azazel—who is already upset with me—but it would also anger Hades.” He tugged on the lapels of his jacket. “So I’ll do this the old-fashioned way.”

“By striking a deal?”

“By charming him,” Ty murmured. “I am the devil, after all. If I can’t tempt him into sin, who else can?”

“Mmm, I rather like this development,” I admitted, sauntering toward him. “I do so wish we could spend more time in bed.”

“Later,” he promised.

“Later,” I agreed, my lips touching his. “Maybe then I’ll tell you about Cami’s dreams—starring you in her bed.”

I disappeared for the Midnight Fae Realm before he could reply, but I heard his growl follow me in my thoughts.

He didn’t want to admit his fascination with her, just as she didn’t want to indulge in her attraction to him.

But I’d make them both fall.

Preferably with me in the middle.

Oh, the rope play we shall enjoy, I mused, appearing in Cami’s suite to find her standing in the middle of the bedroom, fuming. “Oh, yes, let’s all stare at the glittering gold orb.”

“Happily,” I said. Because I couldn’t think of anything more alluring than a glittering, naked, wet Camillia De la Croix.

Which was the scene displayed right before me.

Hello, my sweet Hell Fae Queen…