Page 59 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

But a stern knock on the door shattered the moment.

Cyrus sighed, his fingers running through my hair. “Exos won’t be here for another hour, pending fae transport.”

“Because you can’t mist him, right?” It wasn’t something he ever actually clarified for me.

“Only Water Fae can mist, little queen.” He tapped me on the nose and pressed a final kiss to my lips. Then went to tug open the large wooden door, revealing his father on the other side.

“Back so soon?” the king drawled.

“What can I say? I love this place,” Cyrus deadpanned. Then he informed his father of Notus’s poor accommodations and continued into what we had planned for today. His father didn’t appear alarmed, telling me Cyrus had disclosed his suspicions about Elana already.

Instead, all the king did was nod. “Let me know if I can be of any help.” His blue eyes—the same shade as Cyrus’s—focused on me. “It’s good to see you healthy, Claire.”

We hadn’t properly met the first time, a result of my near-death state. However this man had not only helped save my life, but had also encouraged Cyrus to mate-bond with me. “Thank you, sir,” I said, my throat going dry. “For the, uh, compliment, and everything else.”

Smooth, Claire, I chastised myself. Really smooth.

The Water King grinned, his amusement palpable. “Trust me, it’s you I should be thanking.” He glanced at my mate. “You finally made my son grow up.”

Cyrus scoffed. “I grew up a long time ago.”

His father sobered a fraction, nodding. “Well, that’s true. But I have her to thank for you accepting your rightful place.” There was an edge to those words—an edge that had Cyrus standing up a little straighter.

“I’m not here for that right now,” he replied through his teeth.

“I know. But we’ll need to set a date soon, Cyrus. The imbalance of power must be rectified.” The look he gave his son wasn’t nearly as friendly as it was moments ago, but was instead a stern, fatherly admonishment. “Soon,” he repeated. He then took his leave with a casual, “I’ll ask Coral to make dinner arrangements.”

“What does he mean by ‘the imbalance of power’?” I wondered out loud after the door closed.

Cyrus ran his fingers through his hair, blowing out a long breath. “Our mating has tipped the scales.” He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around my waist and gazing down at me with a smile in his eyes. “We’re strong together, Claire. Stronger than everyone else in this kingdom, including my father. But with that strength comes a price.”

“Your coronation,” I translated.

He nodded. “Yes, however, it can wait.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “We have more important things to worry about first.”

Like my mother, I thought. And Elana. “Your coronation is important, too,” I pointed out. “And Exos’s ascension hasn’t changed much, right? Will yours be much different?”

He gave a little laugh and shook his head. “Oh, little queen, you have no idea.” He slid his palm down my arm to my hand and tugged me along beside him out onto the balcony rimming his suite. Waves crashed against the shores below, bleeding into streams that roped through the city surrounding us.

A giant city.

Bigger than the Spirit Kingdom and Air Kingdom combined.

My lips actually parted at the sight, having not seen any of this during my last visit. Or, at least, I didn’t remember it. “Wow, Cyrus, it’s beautiful.”

“It’s the biggest kingdom of all the fae,” he added, grabbing my hips to guide me backward into his body, where he pressed his chest to my shoulder blades. “This will all one day be ours, Claire. But with great power comes great responsibility.”

“And you never wanted the position,” I realized out loud. “That’s why you chose the Spirit Kingdom.”

“Not entirely. The Spirit Fae nee

ded me more than the Water Fae did, but they have Exos now. Leaving me to take over my responsibilities here, with you.” His lips brushed my cheek before he settled his chin on the top of my head, his substantial height dwarfing mine when he held me like this. “Being queen of this world will require sacrifices, Claire.”

I stiffened, not liking that term—sacrifice. “What kind of sacrifices, Cyrus?”

He sighed, his refreshing scent teasing my nostrils as he held me close. “For one, we’ll be required to produce an heir. And, as you have several mates, dividing time between kingdoms will prove difficult. There might be instances where I have to remain here while you venture to Spirit Kingdom with Exos. Both of our lives will require certain formal functions, ones meant to unite our fae kind. I won’t lie to you, Claire. It’s going to be difficult.”

I turned in his arms, lifting my gaze to his. “But we’ll make it work.”

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