Page 116 of Never Kiss a Fae
“I sense your power, Vox,” I said, cutting him off. “You’re a suitable match and you will begin immediately. Starting by relocating to the Spirit Quad. Tonight.”
“You can’t just decide that for him,” came a rumbling voice.
I turned all of my attention to the source of rebellion, finding an insolent Earth Fae staring me down. I hadn’t received this much resistance since, well, since Exos turned down the crown. I’d slipped into my royal role after a volatile calamity hit our people and they needed a leader. I wasn’t questioned—ever.
“And who are you to question my authority?” I snapped, storming up to him and letting my spirit energy roll over my skin. Thanks to my secondary affinity for water, a wave was exactly what it looked like, and I didn’t pull back the cascade of power that washed over me. I didn’t get angry often, but my brother was missing, unconscious, and our only hope of finding him before something worse happened rested in the incapable, beautiful hands of a Halfling who didn’t have proper guidance. Or a suitable guard.
Brown eyes that swirled with the copper of the earth narrowed up at me, followed by a rumble of power that soothed my inner ire.
Well, hello there, traces of a third royal line.
Maybe my brother wasn’t such a moron after all.
“Sol,Your Highness,” he grated in reply.
My spirit energy probed him, causing him to flinch.
I immediately withdrew, sensing the damage in his spirit.
By the Elements…
This Earth Fae had been hurt by my kind, and badly, too. Raised scars tore across his core, a place only a fae of my skill could sense without being bonded.
How are you alive?I wondered, awed. These wounds came from the womb, meaning Sol had lived with this pain his entire life. Most fae would go mad from such an assault, yet he remained intact. Strong, even.
Yes, you’ll do just fine.
But I couldn’t establish my authority over him in the same manner as I had with Titus and Vox. No, commanding a fae like Sol would backfire in an instant.
I took a step back, giving him room and noting the cracks along the ground that had formed beneath our feet. Yes, this one was strong, and the way he’d stood up for Vox was a testimony to the fae’s character.
“Sol,” I repeated his name, making sure to slightly bow my head. Earth Fae reacted to subtle body language. I wasn’t going to try to control him. Only a moron would try to squeeze blood from a stone. No, I had to nudge this fae in the direction I wanted him to go and allow his own momentum to do the rest. “Why are you being mentored by an Air Fae?”
“Because my control is absolute,” Vox replied. His tone and posture indicated a hint of insolence, one I only allowed because I could. “If I’m going to be living here, then I still need to be able to maintain my duties to Sol.”
I didn’t have to ask what he meant by that. Clearly, the two fae had worked together for quite some time, and if Vox was the reason Sol had healed so spectacularly, then I would be a fool to separate them.
Turning to the Air Fae, I crossed my arms and arched a brow. “Does that mean you agree to become Claire’s mentor and guardian?” I asked. He didn’t have a choice, but I’d pretend for Sol’s sake.
Vox stared at me for a long time before he answered. “If you agree to let Sol stay with me, then yes.”
I almost smiled.Excellent.
“Very well,” I said instead, acting as though it were a concession on my part. I wouldn’t have to give the Earth Fae orders at all. He had enough power to keep Claire in check if her earth element got out of control. “Do you agree to help protect the Halfling?” I asked Sol, inserting a hint of boredom into my tone.
Sol mimicked my pose, his thick arms crossing over a broad chest. “I agree to protect Vox, who will be helping Claire.”
“And protecting her,” I added, glancing at the long-haired Air Fae. “She needs guardians.”
Vox sighed. “She’s safe on campus.”
“Is she?” I countered. “Because Exos would probably state otherwise.”
“Ignis and her friends tried to kill her,” the Water Fae added quietly.
“They’ve been detained,” Vox pointed out.
“Yet my brother has gone missing. How?” I gave the Air Fae my most condescending stare. “You and I both know the Academy isn’t safe at all; it’s just a guise of friendship crafted by Elana on her holy quest for peace.” I looked at the Earth Fae. “Do you feel we’re at peace, Sol?”
