Page 39 of Hell Fae King
Melek’s eyes narrowed, the expression uncharacteristically irritated. “He has no problem sacrificing dark souls. There’s a difference.”
I huffed at that. “So he plays God.”
“Yes. He’s the creator of this realm, Camillia. It’s his duty to protect everyone and everything inside it.”
“Then maybe he shouldn’t have kidnapped and dragged a bunch of unwilling women here for the pleasure of his men,” I snapped back.
Melek considered me for a moment, his cheekbones seeming to protrude against his skin as anger simmered in his gaze. “How much time did you spend getting to know the other brides and their motives?” he asked softly. Too softly. “How many of them were actuallykidnappedanddraggedhere?”
When I didn’t immediately reply, he arched a brow.
“Don’t you remember what I told you after the first trial?” he pressed.
My brow furrowed. I hardly remembered the aftermath of that event. I’d barely been lucid.
Although, there were a few who had entered the trials willingly, their excitement having been both palpable and memorable during the trials I’d participated in.
But most of them had seemed nervous.
Only, I hadn’t considered the cause of their nervousness. I’d just assumed they were in a situation similar to mine and displeased by being forced to participate in the Hell Fae Bride program.
Was I wrong? Did I make assumptions on behalf of the brides?
“Yes, but no one can fault you for it,” Melek replied, obviously hearing my thoughts and choosing to answer aloud.His palm came up to cradle my cheek. “To understand the trials, you must first truly understand the purpose.”
“To provide the Hell Fae with mates,” I told him, aware of that part already from previous discussions.
Yet Melek shook his head. “Not quite. That’s what Ty says, but his desire to satisfy the Hell Fae and Nightmare Fae runs much deeper than simply supplying mates for them. This is about his Source, his balance of power. Everything is at risk, which is something he’ll never admit. But I see it. And I know that’s the driving force behind every decision he’s made, even if he’s not aware of it himself.”
Melek reached for my hand, his thumb gently caressing my skin.
You are the only one who can save him,he whispered softly into my mind.That’s what the Hell Fae Brides have been about from the very beginning—saving him from himself.
I stared into his multicolored eyes.I need you to elaborate, Melek. No more riddles,I told him mentally, earning me a small smile from my Hell Fae Prince.
But rather than speak, he released me and wove his hands through the air. I squinted at him, not understanding his motions until a screen appeared before us.
One that displayed a gym.
And several women running around.
Bridal candidates, I realized after a beat, noting their numbers on the backs of their shirts. However, now their shirts reminded me more of jerseys. Maybe because they appeared to be playing some sort of game.
“They’re training,” he informed me as the screen panned to view the scene.
“For what?”
He shrugged. “Anything they desire, really.”
“You’re being cryptic again,” I informed him flatly.
His lips twitched. “The trials are on hold, so many of them have opted to form alliances and play as teammates. It’s an intriguing development, to be honest. One that demonstrates their compatibility for this realm. Because working together here is important. It’s how we all survive.”
“I see.” Still a somewhat cryptic reply, but he’d provided a bit more context.However…“How is watching this going to help me understand the true purpose of the trials? And what does it have to do with today’s training?”
Maybe I sounded impatient, but I was really tired of having to read between the lines. I wanted a straight answer. No more games. No more puzzles. Just a coherent response that helped me prepare for whatever Lucifer had in store for me today.
Because right now, I wasn’t sure if I should be excited…or run.
