Page 36 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

Azazel clears his throat, speaking to Aggonid though his eyes don't leave mine. "High King Finian Drake will meet with you during the next Bedlam Moon."

My heart pounds in my chest and I struggle to hold my chain steady in my hands. "Finn? You talked to Finn?" I approach him, my chain dragging on the ground behind me.

He swallows and looks away from me, jaw clenching with the effort of not devouring me with his gaze. He shakes his head and opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out.

"Did he find a way to get me home? Does he know I'm here?" I search his face for answers, my heart beating like a drum in my chest. From here, I hear his pulse skyrocket. "Azazel?"

The spell is broken when Caius wraps a possessive arm around my waist and tugs me against his side.

Azazel blinks, meeting my eyes. "Huh?"

"Does Finn know I'm here?" I cling to the shirt in my hand, holding my breath.

"Oh, uh. No, I didn't talk to their king, just relayed a message that Aggonid needs to speak with him."

His throat dips, and as he turns to face Aggonid, I survey Azazel’s form. Tall, broad shouldered, and oh.Oh my.Erect.Very erect.I swallow and quickly break my gaze. The thought of him so aroused for me turns my insides to jelly.

I clear my throat, despite Caius' arm squeezing my waist—a warning, I'm sure—and direct my attention back to Aggonid.

"Do you think he'll be able to bring me home?" Had I been wrong about him? Maybe he’s really going to ask him to help me get back to Bedlam.

Aggonid barks out a laugh. "Doubtful. It's only ever happened once before."

My chest deflates, and I slink out of Caius's hold, retreating to the shadows to steal another one of their clothes.

Once I'm dressed, I bring my eyes back to the group, the sudden need to escape nagging at me like a persistent itch.

"Was that all?" Aggonid asks.

"Yes, my lord." Azazel bows.

"Then you are dismissed."

Azazel pauses, then looks to me once more. He smiles, a flicker of something strange in his expression. And then he's gone.

I stand frozen in his wake, my heart hammering against my ribcage. Before I can process what just happened, Caius drags me to the bed, throwing the covers back for me to climb in. He's naked and in a sour mood.

Curling up, I try to keep my distance from him, though as soon as he crawls in next to me, he pulls me into his chest without a word. His magical aura engulfs me in warmth and comfort, and the bed dips on his other side as Aggonid joins us.

"How do you know Azazel?" Caius whispers against my ear, sending a chill through me, despite its heat.

"He healed me."

He stiffens behind me. "When?"

"My first night. I'd eaten some berries near my hut. He called them Inferno's Kiss?"

Caius curses, tugging me closer. "I'll feed you, little bird. No ground gnomes, and no Inferno's Kiss berries, either."

I adjust so my wrist is on top of Caius's enormous bulk and the chain isn't between us but draw my hand back when I meet Aggonid's.

Tucked into his embrace, I allow my thoughts to wander. If anyone can find me a way home, it's Finn. His mother is the Luna goddess, who holds dominion over fates. She controls all magic, and if you're a good fae when you die, you join her beyond the veil. If she can't restore me to Bedlam, maybe I can go with her. I haven’t been a good fae, but I’m trying to make it right, to fix what I broke.

My intentions were good.

It was the execution that I royally fucked up. Is that enough to convince the Luna goddess to take me with her, after I get Wilder out of prison?

If I could just do that, I’ll gladly go wherever she thinks I deserve.

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