Melek stepped into the king’s muscular form, his palm returning to Typhos’s cheek. “Everything I do, everything I’ve done, is for you, Ty.” The sincerity in Melek’s voice had me wishing I could disappear. This was a moment I didn’t want to intrude upon.
“You say that,” Typhos whispered. “I’m trusting that you mean it.”
“I do.” Melek brushed his lips against Typhos’s again, then stepped away to focus on me. “Go find some pants and let’s take a walk.”
I glanced down at my naked state. I’d been so caught up in my tasks that I’d forgotten my clothes.Shifter Fae problems.
“Unless you prefer wandering naked?” Melek prompted. “I don’t mind.”
I snorted at his flirty commentary. “Meet me at my hut.” Rather than wait for a reply, I ashed back to my place.
Melek appeared as I was zipping up a pair of black jeans. He observed quietly, his expression no longer playful, while I pulled on a shirt and then some socks and boots for my feet.
“I won’t take up much time, Az,” he said as I headed toward the door of my cabin. “I think we’re both on the same page here.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” I opened the door, only for him to close it and slide between me and the wood, his multicolored gaze flickering with a myriad of secrets.
“You need to use your training with Cami to show her who Ty really is,” Melek told me, a hint of uncharacteristic severity in his tone. “It’s the only way we’re going to come out of this intact.”
I stared at him, our even heights putting us at eye level with one another. “It’s going to take a lot more thanunderstandingto ensure we survive this, Melek.”
“Yes, I know. However, I have my hands full with teaching Ty. I need you to take over with Cami. I’ll still assist when I can, but I need you to take the lead on this.”
“Take the lead?” I repeated. “From you?”
“Who do you think has been guiding her where Ty is concerned?” Melek asked, his expression serious. “She needs to understand Ty, Az. And right now, she has him all wrong.”
I gritted my teeth. Because he was right—she didn’t really know Ty at all. “I guess that means your guidance failed?”
A hint of anger flashed in his multicolored irises, his eyes narrowing. “I haven’t had much help.”
“Maybe because you’ve been playing this game on your own.”
“It’s not a game,” he returned. “It’s about saving Ty. About savingus. And I’m tired of waiting for you all to understand that.” He shoved me back, the violent move very unlike Melek. “Show her who Ty is, Az. Help her. It’ll protect her in the end. It’ll protect us all.”
He didn’t give me a chance to argue, just vanished without a trace.
Az?Cami whispered, distracting me from my scowl.
Cami?
Did you hear any of that?
Any of what?I asked her, my Phoenix prowling inside, his instincts on immediate alert.Is everything okay?
Yes…She drew out the sound.How about now? Did you hear that?
Your questions about my hearing?
No, my comment about the snakevines.
I frowned.What? I haven’t heard you say anything about snakevines.
Excitement filtered through our connection.
Cami?
It’s working!she told me.I’m controlling my mental voice.