Elemental Fae Academy: Book Two: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance Read online

  Her palm cracked across my cheek so fast I was almost impressed. “Fuck you!”

  “Claire!” Titus was on his feet, his hand wrapped around her wrist, pulling her back.

  I massaged my jaw, intrigued by both her reaction and the lack of a sheet covering her breasts. All right, so I could definitely see why Exos had chosen her. At least physically. Because she was perfectly proportioned in every way, and well groomed, too.

  “Let me go!” she shouted, squirming in the Fire Fae’s grip. “I’ll show him unfit. And how dare you judge what you don’t know, asshole. You don’t know anything about me or Exos or what we had. You—”

  “Have,” I corrected her, bored again. “Past tense implies something is irrevocably broken. Your bond is very much present.” I could feel it in the air swirling around her in a protective pattern.

  Which was precisely why my brother had sent me here.

  Ah, Exos, I thought, understanding dawning. My brother could have given me his last location but instead sent me to guard his mate. Fuck. She must be in danger if he used the final reserves of his energy to point to her.

  “He’s alive?” Some of the fight had left her posture and tone.

  “Clearly, you’re useless to me,” I surmised, irritated.

  “She’s new to all of this,” Titus replied, his jaw clenched so tightly the words came out stilted. “Have some compassion.”

  I laughed. “Is that what this coddling behavior is called? How quaint.”

  Claire growled, the sound adorably erotic coming from her mouth. “You’re an asshole.”

  “Fuck,” Titus breathed, looking heavenward. “Please, she doesn’t understand our—”

  “Is she incapable of owning her own actions?” I wondered out loud. “Is that why you continue to speak and apologize on her behalf?”

  Emerald fire glowed in the depths of Titus’s gaze. “She’s my mate.”

  “That’s clear,” I replied flatly, the depth of their connection heavy in the air. “I asked why you continue to treat her as an insignificant fae who can’t speak for herself.”

  “If Exos is alive, then where is he?” Claire cut in, her eyebrows arched in challenge. “I can’t feel him, even though you say I should be able to, so where is he?”

  “That’s precisely why I’m here, little queen.” I cocked my head to the side. “And you’re the only one who can answer that question.”

  “How?”

  “By finding your spirit.” What the hell had my brother been teaching her all these weeks? How to fucking cry?

  She held my gaze, the action unprecedented. “You can feel him.”

  This was growing tiresome. “Have you not been listening to a word I’ve said?”

  “I’ve heard every damn one,” she snapped, the tone one I wasn’t accustomed to hearing from a female. “I want you to tell me that you can feel him.”

  “Of course I can. He’s my damn brother.” I took a step forward, ignoring the tensing Fire Fae at her side, and grabbed her chin. “And he’s your fucking mate. So honor him well, little queen, and find him.”

  She shook off my hold with a glower. “You’re nothing like him.”

  I snorted. “Three weeks ago, I would have disagreed wholeheartedly. But seeing how weak he’s allowed you to be has me wondering otherwise.”

  “Get out of my room.” She pointed to the door. “Now.”

  Titus appeared to be readying himself for a fight. It would be one he’d lose, but male fae were protective of their mates. Hence, my current location.

  Fucking Exos.

  “Get dressed and meet me in the living room. You have five minutes before I come back in here and carry you out—naked or not.” I allowed my eyes to roam over her once more, this time in a slow perusal that caused her skin to flush in the wake of my gaze. “Well, at least you offer my brother something for his trouble.”

  “Out!” she shouted, scrambling for the sheets.

  I chuckled and left her growling obscenities behind me. Exos would be furious when he found out, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was his safe return, and someone needed to rouse the spoiled princess from her worthless emotions.

  The three fae I’d stormed past in the living area all leapt up and knelt again, causing me to shake my head. “You’re supposed to be her guardians?” Pathetic.

  “No, Sire,” the Air Fae replied, his lean, athletic form rising from the ground first. “Prince Exos requested I mentor her air abilities, but I haven’t agreed yet. Sol is one of my other mentees, and River is a friend of Titus’s.”

  “And your name?” As he appeared to be the most important of the fae in this room, I wanted to know his identity. It would help me discern why Exos had entrusted him with Claire’s safety.

  “Vox,” he replied.

  Ah, yes. “You’re a royal descendant.” And one of the top students in his class. Exos had mentioned him briefly.

  He grimaced. “I am, but I’ll never vie for the throne.”

  “No, you won’t,” I agreed, sensing his power level. It was impressive, yes, but nowhere near that of the ruling king. “And you?” I glanced at the Earth Fae, whose presence rumbled the earth with slight vibrations. “You’ve not been assigned to Claire?”

  “No,” he gritted out, not looking at me.

  I nodded. “Well. It seems my brother was more concerned with bonding than establishing appropriate guardians.” My gaze fell to the Water Fae. “Your power is no match for Claire’s.”

  He shook his floppy hair, his demeanor underlined in fear and frailty. “I’ve only helped temporarily; Exos has not assigned a water mentor to her yet.”

  Because he was too busy getting his dick wet.

  When I found my brother, I’d throttle him. This behavior wasn’t like him at all. Sure, he’d entertained females before—several, in fact. But not like this.

  And to bond to one?

  I sighed, irritated beyond measure. Perhaps fate had worked in our favor, because the Halfling’s life obviously required order.

  As if hearing my thoughts, she appeared in the living area in a pair of jeans and a tank top, her close proximity to Titus telling. She trusted the Fire Fae more than anyone else in the room, which I expected considering their bond.

  “All right, let’s get a few things straight,” I said, needing to seize control of this tenuous situation. “Vox? Your consideration is over. You’re officially one of Claire’s guardians and her air mentor.”

  The Air Fae bristled, clearly not used to taking orders, which confirmed my suspicions. “Surely there’s another who could—”

  “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 flinc
h.

  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?”

  He scoffed at that. “Fuck no.”

  “I stand validated,” I murmured, shifting my focus to the Water Fae. “You’re dismissed. I’ll handle her water training from here on out.”

  My secondary affinity for water wasn’t unknown. My Spirit Fae mother had notoriously mated with a Spirit Royal and a Water Royal. I was the product of her mating with the latter, which gave me a uniquely powerful ability to manage two elements. If anyone could help train the little Halfling, it was me. And as I required her cooperation to find my brother, it seemed I had no choice.

  Which left me with one final task for the evening. “While the rest of you prepare your new quarters, I will work with Claire. It seems she requires a lesson in the bonds and how to appropriately use them.”

  Cerulean fire licked through her irises. “I’ll work with Titus, thanks.”

  I smiled. “Oh, no, little queen. You’ll be working with me. Because unlike Titus, I won’t go easy on you. Now follow me.” I wrapped a rope of water around her waist and gave her a firm tug that elicited a squeal from her lips.

  Titus took a step forward as if to catch her, but I cut him off with a glance. “You’ve done enough. It’s my turn now, Powerless Champion. Be useful and help Sol and Vox find a room.” The auburn-haired male knew better than to question my authority, even if the fiery energy rolling over his skin said he felt otherwise.

  “It’s fine,” Claire said, her palm on his chest. “I’ve got this.”

  The queen coming to the aid of her knight.

  Hmm.

  Perhaps there’s hope for you yet, little Claire, I thought, pleased. “Now.” I gave her another tug for emphasis and grinned at her resulting growl. Oh, yes, I’ll make a worthy queen out of you if it’s the last thing I do.

  Claire

  Exos, if you can hear me, I hope you’ll forgive me because I’m about to murder your brother.

  He didn’t reply.

  Because I couldn’t feel him.

  But this jackass in front of me seemed to think I could, so I stomped after him into the late-night hours outside while using a flame to incinerate his water into steam.

  Cyrus eyed the power exchange with interest, his lips quirking at the side. “Impressive, little queen.”

  “My name is Claire,” I told him flatly, hands on my hips.

  “I’m aware,” he replied, glancing up at the stars littering the sky. “I need you to close your eyes and focus on your bond with Titus. Tell me what he’s doing.”

  “He’s helping Vox and Sol find their room, as you commanded, Your Highness.”

  His mouth flattened into lines of disapproval. “I’m trying to help you, Claire. Shut your fucking eyes, search for Titus, and tell me exactly what he’s doing.”

  Gah, I wanted to smack him again. Kick him. Hurt him. “You’re such an asshole.”

  “And you’re a weakling, but here we are. I need you to find my brother, and the sooner you do that, the sooner I’m gone. So shut your damn eyes and focus on Titus.”

  A scream built in my throat, one underlined in profanities and insults all designed for this Royal Fae jackass. I was not weak. Fucking prick. I slammed my eyes closed and found Titus, his emotions a tangle of concern and annoyance. He wanted to peek out the windows to check on me but was instead helping Vox and Sol find a room near mine. A part of him was thankful that Exos had sent a cleaning crew through the dorm, readying several beds in preparation for others to move in.

  He’d wanted to grow my mentorship team and find guards, something I knew, and Titus seemed to respect the decision.

  “He’s two doors away from my room, showing Vox the bathroom that connects to another room, which he’s recommending for Sol.” I opened my eyes. “And he’s considering whether or not he needs to come out here and flame your ass.”

  Cyrus chuckled. “I wish he would. It’s been a while since a worthy fae challenged me. I’m honestly bored.”

  Flames flickered over my fingers, the urge to send a fireball into his chest consuming. But a wave of his hand cooled my fiery energy, water perspiring over my skin in the shadow of his power. “Save your rebellion for someone in your league, little queen,” he said, his gaze holding a touch of ice that sent a shiver down my spine.

  While Exos’s gaze resembled the darkest depths of the ocean, Cyrus’s irises were coated in a glimmering silver blue that painted him in an almost otherworldly glow.

  Gorgeous, my brain supplied. But only on the outside.

  “I want you to repeat what you just did, but locate Exos,” he said, tucking his hands into the pockets of his suit pants. “Tell me where he is.”

  “Did you mishear the part where I told you the connection is broken?” I asked, irritated beyond belief by this male’s arrogance and lack of regard. Okay, yes, crying all evening had been a poor use of time, but I felt Exos’s spirit disappear. It had destroyed me. What the fuck
did he expect me to do? Run around looking for an enigma?

  God, I hate this, I thought, suddenly exhausted. Where are you, Exos?

  “Try” was all Cyrus said.

  Try, I repeated sarcastically. Yeah, fine. I’ll try.

  I shut my eyes for show, then focused on the part of me tied to Titus. His warmth flowed back, caressing me with his energy and love and basking me in the familiarity of his fire. My lips almost curled, the relief he provided palpable.

  But I needed to prod a little deeper, search for the distorted link that left an anchor of pain in my heart.

  Exos, I whispered, my relief dissipating into agony. The jagged edges of our connection cut deep, the pain spiking inside me and shredding my spirit into two halves.

  Tears gathered in my eyes, threatening to fall as I tugged on the snapped tether binding our spirits. Only, the rope didn’t slacken the way I expected it to, didn’t reveal the frayed end I’d anticipated.

  No, it held.

  My lips curled down, confused.

  What was it holding on to?

  I followed the thin line with my mind, creeping across the dark chasm of my soul, to the obsidian that lay beyond, unmoving.

  Unconscious, my mind supplied. Exos is unconscious.

  What was it Cyrus had said? His brother was taking a nap?

  Well, not exactly.

  “It’s like he’s locked in a coma,” I whispered. “Unmoving. Unthinking. Asleep, but not by choice.” I poked a little harder, trying to nudge him to alertness, but his spirit remained curled into a ball, soundless and alone.

  “Can you see anything around him?” Cyrus’s deep voice penetrated my thoughts, an unwelcome twinge that caused me to grimace.

  I really dislike your brother, I told Exos.

  No reply.

  Sighing, I glanced around the depths of our connection, searching for any kind of clue as to where he was resting. “It’s too dark,” I said, shaking my head. “Like he’s underground.”