Page 101 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

“Are you just going to stand there?” Vox demanded, not hiding his disgust. He was used to my tantrums, but this time I’d gone too far. And even I knew it.

“I don’t know what to say to her,” I admitted as I stared down the hall. “I love her, but...” She’s part Spirit Fae.

“But nothing,” Vox said with a snap of wind across my face. “If you love her, then that’s all you need to know.” He pointed down the hall. “Like Exos said, you’re going to fix this, or you’re going to get the fuck out.”

It stung to hear Vox give me an ultimatum like that. We’d always been close, but on this there was no room for negotiation.

Vox was right.

They all were right.

All of her mates were more than capable of calming Claire down. I was the only one not fully mated to her, which made me feel least qualified for the job. Still, I’d created this mess, so I was going to fix it, even if I had to bare my scarred spirit to her.

If I were being honest with myself, I’d admit that was what frightened me most—that she might see how damaged I really was.

But maybe that was exactly what I needed to do.

Show her everything. Trust her with not only my heart, but my very soul.

I found Claire in the next room with her back to me, the white sheet draped precariously low across her waist as she clutched the fabric to her chest. She stared out the window, up into the sky.

“Claire…” I swallowed

, mostly because her shoulders stiffened upon hearing my voice. Not the kind of reaction I desired or liked from my intended mate. I moved closer, stopping just within touching distance. “Claire, I’m—”

She spun on me and growled before I had a chance to finish. Her eyes blazed with raw power from her bond with Titus.

“I don’t want an apology,” she said, stabbing a finger to my chest. The tiny digit held enough earth magic to stagger me back a step. “Actions speak louder than words, Sol. I would expect you to understand that by now, but clearly, you don’t. Or you couldn’t possibly think I’d ever intentionally hurt you.”

“You’re right,” I whispered, hanging my head low and splaying my palms open in surrender. “You’re right,” I repeated. “Actions do speak louder than words, Claire. And if I let you understand my history, you’d understand just how true that is.”

That seemed to soothe some of her ire, just enough to let a hint of curiosity through. “Then tell me.”

“I could,” I whispered, realizing in that moment exactly what I needed to do. How I could truly gain her trust and prove myself to her in kind. “But I’d rather show you, Claire.” She required more than words. I understood that better than anyone. So I’d give her everything.

My love.

My trust.

My very soul.

“There are two sides to a Spirit Fae,” I continued. “I want to show you the darker side. No, I need to show you, Claire.” I knelt beside the bed, pleading with her. “Help me stop hiding who I am. See me, Claire.”

She studied me, her expression softening another fraction. “I do see you, Sol. I always have.”

“I’m not talking about my exterior.” I swallowed. “I’m talking about my soul.” I closed my eyes, my forehead meeting the mattress. “I need you to truly look, Claire. Go into my spirit and witness what was done to me. The pain. The torment. The marks I can feel but can’t actually see. The torture I can’t remember but have spent countless nights reliving in a sea of darkness and screams.”

My throat began to burn.

My heart pounding in my chest.

The memory of that night a haunting image just out of my reach.

“Do you know what it’s like to know something happened but not be able to detail it?” I wondered out loud, lifting my head to meet her gaze. “I remember the pain, the screams, my mother begging and my sister crying. Yet, I can’t tell you how it all unfolded.”

I paused, needing a breath.

Then forged ahead.

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