Page 121 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

No, I had other sources to appease first. Specifically, spirit. It raged for the life before me, craving the death of such a vile fae.

“You abused our power,” I seethed, again not recognizing my voice. So deep. Still feminine, but echoing as if for miles. Commanding. I liked it. But I did not like the woman cowering before me, tied up by my elemental rope.

“Claire…” The uncertainty in that familiar voice had me glancing sideways to where Cyrus stood. Exos at his side. I couldn’t say who had spoken, but thought it might have been the Water Prince.

Mmm, my mates, I sighed, happy to see them both alive. The energy inside me rippled in its pleasure, bowing to the masters of their source, before refocusing on the task at hand.

Because today, I was queen.

And this poor excuse for a fae no longer deserved to live.

“The elements have spoken,” I said, tightening the vines around her. “And you, Elana of Spirit Fae, will abuse us no longer.”

Vitality rippled out of me, swathing her in a bright, white cloud. It absorbed her soul into its depths, taking her to a place where she would never escape or even be reborn. Her spirit too vile for any reconsideration.

And in its wake, it left the shadow of a Midnight Fae.

One that crumpled to the earth in a pile of black ash.

A breeze teased the remains, whirling them into the air as flames erupted, engulfing every speck and removing the existence of her form in all ways.

The elements taking their due.

Destroying every last bit.

And eliminating the death magic from the lands.

I sensed it in the frosty kiss of the air, the finality of her passing erasing any and all evidence of her previous existence.

Including the death fields.

Exos fell to his knees, the power lancing through his chest, but the source inside assured he would be fine.

Cyrus, too.

They would all survive.

But the spirits needed to ascend, and so I closed my eyes and willed it so. Freeing thousands upon thousands of fae from Elana’s cruel captivity.

Fly, I encouraged them. Fly and be reborn once more.

For that was the cause of sterility among the Spirit Fae. Not a plague, but a curse maintained by Elana. Every spirit she fed to the darkness couldn’t be reborn. And she wouldn’t allow any of the others to move on, to complete the circle of life.

A tear slid from my eye at the understanding of it all, the workings of the universe laid out inside me as if it was my destiny all this time to absorb every detail.

Spirit.

Life and death.

The elemental core of our very existence.

I bowed before it, respecting the gifts given to me, thanking it for my creation, and promising never to abuse the energy thriving inside me.

Each element embraced my very soul, accepting the vow and returning me slowly to the new reality I’d created. The world I’d blessed. The kingdom I’d just saved.

To my mates.

My loves.

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