Page 30 of The Forgotten Princess

But when I get there and see her arms crossed over her chest, her lips pressed into a thin line, and the wrinkle at her brow, my stomach sinks.

She’sdefinitelyupset about the earthquake I caused.

“I’m sorry.” I offer her my best smile.

She cocks one eyebrow. “Is that what you’ll say to somebody who loses a loved one because you lost control?”

I lower my head, not knowing what to say to that.

The earthquake earlier wasn’t a big deal, but what if I’m not so lucky next time? And as mad as I want to be at Winter, I can’t be because she’s right.

I messed up. I have no choice but to learn control.

“It’s different for me because I’m dark fae. It wasn’t even my anger that caused the earthquake. It was Devin. We were touching and he was upset,” I explain. “How am I supposed to control that?”

Her eyes widen. “You’re also dark fae—I forgot that they can feel the emotions of others.”

I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “Mostly, it’s only when I touch somebody. I can feel strong emotions even without touching, but I try to block them out. I promise I don’t invade your privacy.”

She waves a hand. “I don’t care aboutthat. You can read my emotions all you want. I am just thinking about what it means for you as a hybrid elemental. I take comfort in the fact that you’re not a fire elemental.”

I swallow hard at the thought.

What if I was a fire elemental? Would I have set the school on fire the first time I kissed my mate?

“You know that you can’t complete your mate bond with Devin until you figure this out,” Winter says.

“What? Why?” I stand up straighter, ready to argue. There is no way I’m going to let Winter say that.

“How are you going to complete your mate bond without touching?” She gives me a pointed look. “You will be feeling your own emotions, along with Devin’s. And his emotions will only add to yours.”

Her words hit me hard and I know she’s right.

I put a hand to the base of my throat. “I will do whatever I can to learn. Because Devin and I have waited long enough already to complete our mate bond. I can’t wait longer than Damian has already asked. I need to learn now.”

She grins. “A little motivation doesn’t hurt. Or, I guess in your case, this is a lot of motivation.”

“We’ve already waited six months.”

“I don’t see how you’ve stood it. Dawson and I are already planning our wedding.” She grins widely, her entire face lighting up. I can feel exactly how excited she is.

My stomach churns with jealousy. I know that she and Dawson are older, but it hardly seems fair that they don’t have to wait to get married. I wish I had that luxury too.

Winter clears her throat. “You did get a handle on it really quick, so there is definitely progress. But I won’t be satisfied until you’ve gained complete control.”

I nod.

She’s just gave me the ultimate ultimatum. I will fight to get control over my powers—she’s pretty much guaranteed that.

For the next two hours, Winter and I work. I focus harder than I ever have before, fighting to gain control. By the end of the session, I am covered in sweat and my heart is racing. I struggle to take a deep breath, but Winter is completely relaxed, like it’s completely normal.

“Where did you learn to control your powers?” I take a drink from my bottle of water.

Her lips tick downward, but only for a moment. She relaxes her face. “Elemental Academy.”

Despite trying to hide what she’s feeling, her words betray her. I can feel the emotions behind them.

She hated Elemental Academy. I don’t know what happened there, but it definitely wasn’t good.

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