Page 31 of Hell's Storm

“They’ll do anything for you?”

I shrug. “Honestly, even without a truth serum, I can tell you that. I like to think they would.”

He sits up straighter, obviously not expecting me to know. “You knew I gave you the serum and didn’t retaliate?”

I let out a sigh, looking at my men. They look just as exhausted as I feel. “We have nowhere to go… Faeland seems like the best, seeing as no one knows it exists. It was a myth to us all growing up. We’ve been running and fighting, and… we need a second to recuperate. Plus, you have every right to not trust me because I attacked your son.”

He waves a hand. “I could care less about that. You were just a lesson of the fae that might attack him. He can handle himself... After your father came here to impregnate one of my citizens.”

Derrick’s mother.

“A demon came… She destroyed our kingdom in search of him. Then left.”

“Who was the demon?” I question.

“Her name was Circe.”

I glance at Ryker, who seems just as surprised as I am, but he recovers. So, do I. I don’t have to talk about her if his father doesn’t ask about her.

“Now, I’m starving! Eat up!” He doesn’t seem to notice as he announces that.

I give a smile as I begin eating. Nothing is off about this delicious food, and I’m grateful. After breakfast, I try to follow Hazen out of the castle, but the guards stop me. I’m the only one not allowed to leave, and he doesn’t even bother to look back at me. The Faelands is a whole separate world like the Shadow World, but unlike that, no one can leave or enter without permission. We are safe here, though my nerves doubt it.

Jigsaw touches my bare shoulder. “I’ll watch out for him.”

I look up at him, feeling so much love in my chest. He’s been ten times nicer to me, but I can’t tell if it’s because I’m the Queen or because he can touch me now. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that, Jigsaw.”

His green eyes meet mine, and he dips to place a kiss against my lips. He seems more confident going without wearing a mask or gloves but is still very cautious of others. He pulls back, eyes dropping down my body. “You look amazing, my queen.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes. He’s in an all-black silk suit, his typical metal chains hanging down to his knees, and his old combat boots. “Be safe.”

He cocks a brow, looking over his shoulders. “Oh? You care?”

My jaw tightens, and I hold back the urge to tell him I do care. The truth serum is wearing off, but it’s not fully there yet. “Goodbye, Jigsaw.”

Twisting to me, he brushes a piece of hair behind my ear and moves out the door after Hazen. I watch him until he disappears.

“Oh, no. Ten dollars says she’s going to cry now,” Inarian teases, making me turn around.

“Twenty says she snaps at one of us,” Ozias mutters, walking past.

Instead, I kick his ass with my heel.

“Ouch.” He chuckles, turning back towards me. His purple-black hair is pulled back, and I can see his gorgeous face more.

My jaw tightens.Shut up, Asura. “You’re… Your parents. Are they okay?”

He nods. “They are dealing with the two storms with the other council members.”

“Cerberus?”

“Still a good boy.”

I nod at that, smiling. “Good. Thank you for being here… All of you.”

Ozias shakes his head, moving to me. “Don’t worry about it. We are here for you and willing to do anything for you.”

My eyes tear up.

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