Page 55 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

“He is my father, after all.” Something I’d denied most of my life, choosing to ally myself with the Spirit Kingdom first and foremost. I half expected my father to hold that against me, but he said he respected the loyalty because he knew the Spirit Fae needed my guidance more.

The old man wasn’t half bad.

I might even eventually like him if he kept this up.

Shaking my head, I returned to our conversation at hand. “Regardless, I’m inclined to agree that Elana is hiding something. I just can’t figure out why she’d go through all this trouble, or for what.”

“So you think she might be keeping Ophelia captive?”

“It’s possible.” I rubbed my jaw, considering. “I just don’t know why.” I glanced at him. “How close are you to summoning her again?”

“Close. I’m planning to work with Claire on it tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Good. I want to be there.”

“Serves as a good lesson,” Exos added, shrugging. “As Spirit Queen, she should know how to call upon the fae spirit.”

“It’s not exactly a beginner course,” I replied, cringing. “I’d not even call it advanced.” It was more like a superior skill that very few Spirit Fae had mastered. It required a great deal of elemental power, typically drawing from the source. “Still, I agree. It’ll be a good training exercise.” Because it was the same method we drew upon to control another fae, which may come in handy one day and save her life.

“Elana knows how to do it,” Exos pointed out.

“I know.” I’d observed her manipulate others countless times. “She always does it in a way that paints her in a positive light.”

“Like when she forced the truth out of those girls at the Academy and supposedly sent them to the Spirit Kingdom?” Exos suggested.

“Yeah, exactly like that. Comes in, plays the role of savior, and rids the world of evildoers.”

“Only, I’d bet you a bucket of spritemead those girls were actually innocent.” He lifted his glass, knocked back the drink, and relaxed on our bench against the rocky cliff behind us. “Not that I picked up on it at the time.”

“No, from what the others implied, they looked pretty guilty.”

“Almost as if someone set them up,” Exos murmured.

“Indeed,” I agreed, leaning back on my elbows, my mug nearly empty. “I think we have a lot of detective work to do, brother.”

“My favorite kind,” he mused.

My lips curled. “Mine, too.”

Vox

Festivities echoed against the crags, and the air grew thin as we climbed the seemingly endless stairs to the top. But the exhaustion was worth it because I knew we wouldn’t be disturbed here.

“How far is this place?” Claire huffed, her breath coming in short gasps.

I chuckled and took her hand. “Do I need to fuss at Titus for not keeping you in shape? He’s far too easy on you if a couple of stairs are your match.”

She glared at me. “Easy for you to say. You have the body of an athlete and grew up in this thin air. I don’t think you ever run out of stamina.”

I grinned. “Quite right, Claire. I can go all night.”

Her eyes widened. “Did you just make a joke?”

“Here we are!” my grandfather announced, ignoring our banter. He waved his hand and undid the magical binds that kept the sacred ceremonial chamber locked. The doors popped open and revealed a platform that overlooked the city and the cliffs below. It provided an even more breathtaking view than that at my grandfather’s home.

He let out a long, appreciative sigh. “I haven’t been to this place in centuries. Perhaps the last time was when I mate-bonded to your grandmother.” His smile turned somber, and a reminiscent breeze swept over the sacred space.

“I miss her, too,” I admitted and took Claire’s hand as I guided her onto the platform. This one had safety rails, something I appreciated as it alleviated my concerns about losing control of my power during the ceremony. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew this would be the moment where I had to embrace my true nature and acknowledge myself as a Royal Air Fae.

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