Chapter 51
Iden
From now on, I think my myemnings are going to change a lot. Instead of waking up to the cold prison cell, I open my eyes to the smell of bacon. When i follow it, find a shirtless Ariel cooking me breakfast.
Wings fucked behind him. Muscles flexing with every movement. Hed hair. His sweatpants hang low on his hips and I don’t even want to talk about the way the morning sunlight is turning ham into some kind of sinful painting.
Oh and he is humming HUMMING! like he isn’t a dark lany prince with a hunger for my flesh, stead there’s a pop tune coming out from thos lips while he flips bacon. Seriously, he is acting like we’re two lovers living a cosy cottage life.
1 blank, rubbing my eyes.
“Morning, sleepy fox,” Azriel says with a grin that should be illegal. “Hope you like your eggs over easy. Like your mate.”
My face catches fire. “Well…. … .umiem.
“A lot to take in T
I gasp before smashing down my inner shock. “Your cockiness is insulterable,” I mutter, trying to sound annoyed while look at the literal Adonis making
breakfast
“You’re ogling “the sings, sliding bacon onto a plate. “Not that I blame you. I’d ogle me too.”
I take a seat, groaning “You’re really leaning into this whole I’m–your–sexy–fae husband vibe, huh?”
Azriel walks to the table carrying two plates. “I am your mate,” he says, brushing a kiss over my temple and setting one of the plates down in front of me. “Might as well play the part.”
My heart somersaults but I eye the food instead. There’s so much of it. Like this is a feast from the Moon Goddess herself
“You trying to seduce me with breaklast?”
“Would it work?” he smirks.
“Unfortunately yes,” I’m already biting into it. “The best way into my heart is food.”
Arriel takes his seat right next to me. “That so?”
“Uh–huh
“Well, I hope you like what I made,” he dies into his food with a level of smugness only he could pull off. “Probably should mention this is the first time I’ve ever cooked for anyone. Ever. You’re special.”
“Wow,” I say, eyebrows raising, “I’m honored. Are you trying to wile me up?”
His gaze flicks over to me, heat dancing in it. “You’re already my mate. Wife is just another label. Also, I feel like you should know this. He leans closer, his voice dropping low, “You make the cutest little sounds when you sleep could get addicted to waking up with you in my arms.”
My fork freezes halfway to my mouth.
Arriel leans back, amused by my flustered silence. “Too much?”
Ichew slowly. “I’m going to pretend that didn’t just melt my entire spine.”
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Chapter 51
“I’ll do better next time,” he teases. “Maybe bring flowers and a serenade?”
Frou’re…Intense”
“And you’re beautiful.”
I smile, trying for cute but probably looking like a lovestruck fool. “You’re not even trying to hide how much you enjoy making me blush,
“Why would I hide it? My mate deserves to hear my thoughts..especially since I can so easily read her. Also, did I mention you’re adorable when you’re
Mustered!”
I snort. “How many times are you gonna repeat and lie about that?”
“Until you get that I’m not joking,” he smirks. “You can expect a lot more compliments from now on.”
I groan since I know Azriel complimenting me every day is going to make me into a flustered mess. And then, since he looks amused, I drop my head to the table with a dramatic thud. “Can we go back to you being silent and brooding?”
“Nope,” he says, popping a plece of bacon in his mouth. “I’m in a post–sex and post–cuddling bliss Prepare for constant beasing and affection.”
lift my head just enough to glare at him through my red, messy hair. “Remind me why I didn’t run the moment I saw you?”
“Because deep down,” he says, eyes twinkling, “you knew your little fox heart was already mine.”
And with that, he reaches across the table and steals a bite of my toast.
I gasp. “Did you just-
“Mate tax H
He winks
I’m going to need divine intervention if I’m ever going to survive this man.
Before I can say something sassy in return, a low huff interrupts us. We both turn to see Axel padding into the kitchen in wolf form, his fur still matted but his eyes alert
“Oh my god,” I breathe, grinning “You’re up!”
He trots over, tall wagging gently, and nudges my side, I pet his head enthusiastically, then reach for a strip of bacon. “Here, you earned this.”
He devours it and licks my hand like a thank–you.
Azriel watches the exchange with an amused expression. “It’s like watching you food your familiar.
I glance up, raising a brow. “You mean best friend.”
Arrial shrugs. “He’s more than that. Loyal to you to the point of death. That’s either a familiar or a soulmate in wolf’s clothing.”
Axel huffs again, mudging my leg. I pat him some more and smile softly. “He’s Axel. That’s enough”
Azriel tits his head. “You’re collecting males like strays.”
I look at him over my toast. “Don’t act like y
you’re not one of them.”
He gives me a proud little smirk, “I am the king of your collection.”
I shake my head, laughing. “You’re insane.
“And yet you’re crushing on me, Eden Felicity.”
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Chapter 51
I don’t answer. I just throw bacon at him. He catches it with his mouth,
bing like the most powerful idiat in the realm.
Oncebreaker, Arriel nudges Aval gently with a foot. “Stay here. You still need test, and I need to thow your master the magical realm ”
expect Ave to grow at Ariel for calling me his maider. But the chocolate woll don’t deny it. He just releases an unhappy huff and les down in front of the fireplace
Theel bad for leaving him at home and crouch down to scratch behind his ear. “We’ll be back soon. Don’t destroy the cottage”
Hegrees me the side eye but says nothing
Azriel shoots me a smirk. “Ready to see the magical realm?”
l’ny eyes. ” doubt it is that different from the humantralım”.
He is right. I’m hit by the surreal beauty of the magical realm the second we step outside. It is almost enough to make me pass out
The sky is the color of deep amethyst. Trees sway gently, their leaves shimmering silver and gold Colors that aren’t possible in the human realm. And then there are the Rowers that are glowing. So gorgeous that my eyes hurt looking at them.
Azriel chuckles beside me. “Welcome to the Nightmare court”
| lit, my chin, “The place doesn’t look scary enough to be a nightmare.”
His smile falters then “That’s because it used to be the court of Dreams.”
