Page 12 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

Another short burst of air escaped my grip and sent my hair unfurling from its loose warrior’s tail and put out the small flame dancing across Titus’s knuckles.

Yeah, Claire would be fine.

But me? That I wasn’t so sure about.

Claire

I stood between Cyrus and Exos as we faced a crowd of a hundred or so young-looking fae in the center square. The setting sun left everyone dressed in warmer clothes as cool wisps of air seemed to descend upon the small town from the outskirts. It left a chill along my skin, reminding me of the nearby death fields.

Yet everyone around me was smiling.

Not at Exos or Cyrus. But at me.

Apparently, I was the one they all credited for Exos’s decision to ascend. He squeezed my hand as Cyrus recited something in the old language, the words weaving a magical web in the air that I could almost taste.

Power. A lot of power.

It hummed through the air, weaving into our essences and stringing us even closer together. Exos’s grip tightened, his body tensing beneath the cascade of energy. It vibrated through his spirit, intensifying his aura.

My lips parted. Exos…

It’s okay, baby, he whispered. I’m ready for it.

Ready for what? It felt like a tornado spinning around and around, sucking us into a dark vortex of vitality.

The source.

The source of what? I demanded, my hair whipping around my face.

Spirit. He sounded pained. Cyrus is relinquishing his hold over it. We’ve shared it for… He trailed off, his features pulling tight.

I cupped his face, everyone else forgotten. Talk to me. Tell me how to help you.

You already are, he breathed into my mind. His arms wrapped around me as he pressed his forehead to mine.

I closed my eyes and embraced his spirit with my own. Wind swirled and roared through my ears, the universe seeming to fall apart piece by piece. But I had my Exos, my mate, my Spirit King. He kissed me tenderly, the magic warming our blood and souls.

Royal Fae manage the access to the core of our element, he explained softly. I’ve always shared the ownership with Cyrus, but he’s giving me everything. He can’t maintain a hold over spirit and water. It would be too much for anyone to bear, even one as powerful as him.

Does it hurt? I asked, my tongue sliding along his lower lip. Is that why you didn’t want to ascend?

No. I’m the rightful heir, so it all feels natural to me. I only denied my position to help Cyrus. He refused to embrace his water element. Because of you, Claire, he’s finally ready. Exos smiled against my mouth, his pride and gratitude caressing my heart. You’ve changed us both for the better.

Now you’re just sweet-talking me, I replied, my fingers slipping into his thick hair. You realize I’ve already committed for life, right?

I do, he murmured, his eyelashes fluttering as he opened his eyes. “Mine forever.”

“Ours forever,” Cyrus corrected from beside us, his tone amused. “Not to intrude on the moment, but Gale wants to know when we can start drinking.”

I frowned. “We’re done? Already?”

Exos chuckled. “Yeah, it’s not a difficult transfer when a royal already has access to the elemental source. It has to be done on the grounds of the element—which is why we’re in Spirit Kingdom. But as I was already the rightful heir with direct ties to the source, it didn’t take long. Cyrus’s ceremony will be a bit grander since he’s refused his water ability most of his life.”

My Water Fae mate grimaced. “I prefer not to think about that right now.” He clapped his brother on the back. “Tonight’s about you, Exos. We all know how much you adore being the center of attention, so shall we get started?”

A few of the nearby Spirit Fae laughed, clearly hearing the sarcasm in Cyrus’s commentary. Exos just shook his head. “You’re incorrigible, brother.”

“So you and my little queen keep saying,” Cyrus drawled, winking at me. “Want something to drink, Claire? Maybe a glass of mead?”

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