Page 91 of Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three

She chuckled. “Well, aren’t you the bossy one? I knew there was a royal in there somewhere.”

Now it was my turn to scoff. “You’re the princess, Aflora. In time, it’ll be you who leads our people back to the fruitful civilization it’s meant to be.” I knew she had always thought we’d do that together, but I could never mate Aflora. Not just because she was like a sister to me, but also because of the scars on my soul. I didn’t know who or what had put them there, but it kept me walled off from the darkness that infected my people.

Not that it mattered. I wasn’t a leader. I’d spent my entire life trying to figure out my own shit. However, I was making progress thanks to Vox, Claire, and the rest of my mate-circle. Today confirmed that, as it was the first time I’d been able to trust someone else to carry my burdens with me.

I’m no longer alone.

Aflora and I made our way through the recovering Earth Quad, and I marveled at how the fae seemed to be stronger than before, as if experiencing another bout with darkness had shaken them loose from the long years of suppression and now they could take in a full breath for the first time.

I told Aflora what I knew so far, about Elana and how we suspected her to be a Midnight Fae Halfling. Claire mostly confirmed it with her comment about dark magic, but I didn’t know what else was said.

“Death magic?” Aflora squeaked. “Do you think she’ll bring the dead here?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But we need to be ready.” I surveyed the stronger Earth Fae, noting their growing vitality, and nodded.

It might be enough.

Enough for an army.

Vox

I’m going to kill that bitch, I thought, picturing Elana.

She’d absorbed air from several of the fae. Enough to create her giant vortex that had swallowed her entire home.

It left debris and terrified fae all over campus. I’d met with several of the professors, told them what had happened, and warned them that this was only the beginning. Because Elana? Yeah, she was alive. I knew because I’d seen her energy go up into that damn cloud before everything vanished.

A neat trick, sure.

One I’d love to replicate with fire and watch her burn alive.

A task for another day. Because I needed a damn nap first.

No, I needed my Claire.

All the Air Fae and Water Fae were managing themselves beneath the supervision of professors, leaving me without much left to do other than go home.

Using a gust of wind, I propelled myself back to the Spirit Quad and nudged open the doors.

Claire startled against Exos’s chest, her gaze flying to mine.

Cyrus merely slammed his palm down on the table to stop the papers from flying, his gaze on an open textbook.

“Necromancy doesn’t even begin to describe what Elana did today,” Cyrus said. He flipped a page and frowned. “Kols gave us a shitty book. I swear this thing is useless.”

Based on Cyrus’s sour mood, I decided not to even ask what he meant by that and went to my mate instead.

Claire rubbed her eyes as Exos helped her to her feet. “How’d it go?” she asked groggily as she slipped effortlessly into my arms. “Are the Air Fae all right?”

I nodded as I tucked my chin beneath her ear and indulged in her elements surrounding mine. “Only a few were weakened by the momentary leech of power,” I said, reluctantly pulling away. “Elana seemed to focus mostly on the Earth Fae, minus her finale at the end.”

“I hope Sol’s okay,” my mate lamented. Her pain swept through our bond, and I clutched her to my chest.

“He’ll be all right,” I promised, although I knew the Earth Fae was thoroughly shaken. I cupped Claire’s face. “Everyone is okay, Claire. Thanks to you.” And whatever the hell she’d done to Elana. I wanted to hear more, but I also didn’t want to press her right now. She looked ready to collapse with exhaustion.

Her lips curled into a small smile as she rested her hands over mine. “I hope so.”

I brushed my lips over hers. “Trust me.”

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