Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance

by Lexi C. Foss

  When the heat of my fire reached Sol, he launched to his feet with an explosion of earth and power.

  Okay, maybe fire was a bad idea.

  The Earth Fae roared as he stormed toward me, his massive legs building momentum in a terrifying blur of speed I wouldn’t have credited to the titan.

  I dodged him—this time without Vox’s help—and twirled my bo staff, creating a fire shield to separate us. Sol twisted as he tried to reach for me, but the position put him off-balance.

  Hmm, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. And Sol clearly needed some sense knocked into him. I swiped my bo staff at his ankles in an attempt to topple him over.

  The staff met rock-hard calves, and the crack reverberated up my arm, making my teeth chatter.

  Sol grabbed the weapon, ignoring the flames that engulfed him as he pulled me closer.

  Not good.

  I ducked when another punch went flying past my head, and I slammed a palm to the ground, pouring my fire into it. Sol staggered as rock melted and resolidified around his ankles, trapping him.

  He swung wildly, this time catching me once in the ribs. It would have broken something had Vox’s air not softened the blow, something I’d have to thank him for later.

  Another fist, then another, and all I knew was fury and pain as Sol unleashed his rage. The winds couldn’t stop him forever, and Vox’s shouts echoed through the training yard, but the Earth Fae wasn’t listening.

  I raised the bo staff and poured all of my heat into it, thinking of Claire and the passion our fires burned together. The flash blinded me and Sol, causing the giant to roar with outrage as he snatched up the instrument and snapped it in half.

  The impact stole my breath.

  That had been a gift from Claire, and he’d just… snapped it.

  Sol seemed to freeze, stunned as the halves of my weapon clattered to the glassy ground.

  “You broke it,” I whispered, unable to mask the hurt in my tone. Claire had given me that staff as a present, and now…

  I blinked.

  “How could you do that?” I demanded. “How could you do that to Claire? To me? What the hell is your problem?” I shoved him back, the rock giving way to his feet as he stumbled.

  Sol seemed as broken as my staff, his earthy gaze falling to the ground. “Fuck.” He fisted his hair and blew out a long, harsh breath. “Fuck.”

  Yeah, understatement of the afternoon. “Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?”

  The giant shook his head. “Everything and nothing.” He gripped the back of his neck and finally met my gaze. “You don’t understand what it’s like to watch everyone around you die and have no idea why you survived. But I feel the marks of it every day—whatever that Spirit Fae did to my soul that damaged me so much that not even the plague wanted to touch me.”

  “But Claire isn’t like that,” Vox whispered. “You know she’s not. And neither is Exos or Cyrus.”

  Sol visibly shivered, his shame painting his cheeks a dark red. “I know. I… I just don’t know who did it. Or why. And now they’re teaching Claire how to do the very thing that nearly destroyed me. The thing that I’m convinced created the plague among my kind, not that I have any fucking proof.”

  He kicked a glassy stone with his shoe, his tension mounting again. But rather than unleash it on me, he just puffed out his chest again with another of those violent sighs.

  “You know the worst part?” he mused, more to himself than to me. “I don’t even remember most of it. Just what I see in my nightmares. I couldn’t even tell you who did this to me. That person could still exist, could be stalking our Claire, and I’d have no idea.”

  He bent to pick up the pieces of my staff, his shoulders falling again.

  “It’s not her fault. I know that. It’s not anyone’s but the asshole who did this to me. It’s just… It’s hard.” He pressed the two halves together, his earth magic flaring to life. “Give me some fire and wind,” he said, focusing on the splintered frays. “Help me meld this back together.”

  My eyebrows lifted as he smoothed over the wood, gluing it together with a flicker of power that lifted the hairs on my neck. I added my flames to the seam, helping to melt the embers as Vox guided them with his wind.

  And in seconds, the staff was as good as new. Just with a few added flavors to the mix, making it not only a gift from Claire, but a product of the three of us as well.

  Sol tossed it to me. “You might need Cyrus to add some water to the weak spot to ensure your inferno doesn’t rip it apart again. Otherwise, it’s solid.”

  “Thanks,” I said, somewhat pleased to have my weapon back. I twirled it once to test the balance and infused it with my heat, watching as it effortlessly flashed a blue shade. “It’ll do.”

  He gave a nod. “Good.” He glanced up at the sky and then back at us. “Just so we’re clear, if anything happens to Claire during this spirit lesson, there’ll be hell to pay.”

  I grinned. “On that, we agree.”

  “Good,” he repeated, brushing some rubble from his shoulder and rolling his neck. “Then how about we try all that again, Fire Fae? I have a lot of anger to burn off, and you seem somewhat capable of holding your own.”

  “Somewhat capable?” My brows inched upward. “You really want to use those words?”

  “Prove me wrong and I’ll change the phrase,” he taunted.

  I grinned and tossed my staff to the side. Weapons weren’t required for friendly sparring. And, well, I didn’t exactly trust him not to snap it again. Especially as it hadn’t worked all that well on him the first time. “Bring it on, Earth Fae.”

  Sol grinned, and for the first time today, it reached his eyes. “Your funeral, Fire Fae.”

  Vox sat on the sidelines, a giant smile on his face. “Let me know when it’s my turn. I think I’ll enjoy this game.”

  Of course he would.

  Cocky-ass Air Fae.

  Claire

  “All right, Claire. I need you to close your eyes.” Exos’s warm tones echoed through Cyrus’s bedchamber, his voice sounding much farther away due to the chaotic beat drumming in my ears. “And breathe for me,” he added softly, his palm sliding up and down my bare arm.

  Cyrus sat to my other side, his hand bracing my lower back while Exos led the exercise.

  I swallowed and focused on the comfort of their presence. It was so peaceful here with the soft flow of the waterfall trickling into the makeshift fountain in the corner. Magic existed all around us, kissing the air with a blissful mist that soothed my soul.

  Slowly, my heart rate returned to normal.

  Inhale.

  Exhale.

  Repeat.

  I couldn’t tell where the words originated from, but whether from me, Exos, or Cyrus, it didn’t matter. I followed the advice, easing my spirit and relaxing between my two mates.

  One of them brushed my hair with his fingers.

  The other placed a kiss against my shoulder.

  And I felt the cushions press into my spine as they eased me backward into the bed of pillows on the ground.

  “Look inside yourself, Claire. Search for the tendril of spirit that mates us as one,” Exos instructed softly. The proximity of his voice told me he’d lain down as well. His palm went to my stomach, the heat of his skin branding me through my thin strapless dress.

  Cyrus rested on my other side without touching me, giving me the space I needed to connect to his brother.

  With a deep breath, I tugged on my elemental strand that bonded me to Exos. I felt his grin more than saw it and sighed as he brushed his lips against mine. “Follow the link, baby. Come play with me.”

  He made it sound so simple.

  Truly, it was.

  I trailed the cord to our special place, the one where only our souls could dance.

  Only, Cyrus’s presence lingered there, too.

  A dark blue wave on the horizon, rippling powerfully and quietly.

  Exos found me first, hi
s spirit familiar with mine and reaching for my hand as if we stood beside one another. And maybe we did. Just as apparitions of ourselves.

  This is the spirit plane, he explained softly. But it’s our safe place, Claire. One that our souls constructed just for us. Out there, where Cyrus waits, is the spirit realm that houses the source of power.

  I saw it then, the blinding light in the distance that flickered with intensity, beckoning us to come closer. Like an addictive ray of sunshine that taunted our aura, begging for a chance to bathe our skin in hypnotic energy.

  It’s dangerous, Exos continued. The allure can overwhelm an untrained fae. Particularly one not accustomed to standing so close.

  Yet Cyrus appeared unfazed.

  As did Exos.

  But I felt the draw, the thirst to explore and indulge in a forbidden essence. To consume myself in the core and never let go.

  It was intoxicating.

  With each step, my desire grew. My heart began to thump almost painfully in my chest, the yearning to lose myself in the vitality of this plane almost overwhelming my ability to think.

  Until Exos stepped into my path, blocking my view. Focus on me, Claire.

  I blinked up at him as if awoken from a dream. The craving still persisted, a lethal draw to move around him and run toward the vibrant rays. He cupped my face, his touch grounding my instincts. I leaned into him, absorbing his strength and knowledge, trusting him to lead me through the perimeter toward Cyrus and away from the magnetic ball representing life.

  This is a plane only Spirit Fae can access, and most can only move so close to the center before being drawn back to their corporeal form, Exos murmured. However, my birthright places us almost directly on the source whenever we venture into this realm of being. It’s why you must be careful never to do this alone, not until you’re better trained on how to handle the pull.

  I understand, I replied. And I did. This was not a place I wanted to visit without Exos by my side. I could feel him anchoring me in both mind and spirit, his touch a final weight to keep me locked at his side.

  From here, you have access to all life, Claire. Do you remember our conversation about the Dark Fae?

  Not just Elemental Fae, but all types of fae. It’s why our kind is often revered and feared by other supernatural beings. Because at the end of it all, we control the vitality of fae kind.

  I stumbled at his words, my lips parting. All of them?

  He nodded. But most have employed protective runes to prevent Spirit Fae from interfering in their lives. Not that it’s really needed. Only the strongest bloodlines can reach across barriers to the other species of fae.

  Exos paused on the path, his arm stretching toward a translucent tendril of smoke. He gave it a tug, pulling a darker aura toward us.

  This leads to the Midnight Fae, the ones you call vampires. They have wards in place to identify a breach from our lands, which I could circumvent with a lot of concentration. But there’s no point in altering their lives, as they are so different from our own.

  He released the dark string and reached for another, lighter one, the color a pristine white.

  Fortune Fae, he mused. They foresee the future and don’t require any runes at all. Because they would see me coming before I even tried.

  Exos selected a handful of others, naming the different types and associating them with their colors before releasing their strands. They all seemed to wave around us, humming near the vibrant core, waiting to be manipulated.

  But it was the elemental ones that seemed to writhe around him as he stroked his fingers through the air.

  Their souls recognize our power, he mused. Unlike the others, there’s nothing foreign about our touch and they almost welcome our interference, our source of vitality. He caught one that hummed close to my side, the yarn appearing almost frayed at the edges. His brow furrowed as he studied the patterns, his gaze flickering to Cyrus. A powerful Spirit Fae did this.

  Yes, Cyrus agreed.

  Did what? I asked, gently stroking the cord and recognizing the earth energy vibrating protectively within the threads.

  Do you recognize it? Exos countered, releasing the soul to my hands and smiling as the essence twined around my arm like a loving vine, sliding upward to rest near my heart.

  A tear caught in my eye as the name breathed into my spirit. Sol.

  Mmm, Exos hummed in confirmation as he captured a flash of light in his palm. The ball unwound into the flicker of a flame that he released onto my shoulder.

  Titus, I recognized immediately. And the one hovering by your head is Vox.

  Yes, it’s like he’s supervising me even from afar, Exos mused, teasing the spirit with a puff of air.

  Can they feel us?

  He shook his head. They might sense we’re near, but they can’t access this plane.

  Their spirits are entirely vulnerable to our influence, Cyrus added, his palm cradling a liquid strand of powerful waves.

  Your father, I realized.

  Yes. He settled the essence on his shoulder, his gaze watching as Vox floated closer to me. Those of our bloodline gravitate to our presence automatically. And it seems your mates have found you as well.

  But they can’t feel us, I said, disturbed. That’s a terrifying concept.

  It is, Exos agreed. Which is why entering this plane should only be done with a purpose.

  To do otherwise would be an abuse of power, Cyrus added. But this is where one would go to manipulate another being, because access to the soul allows you to control the mind.

  This is how Elana questioned Ignis and her friends, Exos added. She went into this plane to access their souls and force the truth to the front.

  And also how she made everyone freeze in the gym. I shivered, recalling how everyone bowed and remained that way until she released them. She commanded so many souls.

  A show of power. Exos raised his arm, and a swarm of energy latched onto him in an instant, including the souls that had been clinging to me. It takes practice, but calling upon the spirit of others isn’t a difficult task. He released them as quickly as he’d summoned them, his expression radiating a regal brightness that took my breath away.

  Perhaps now you understand why so many fear us, Cyrus whispered.

  I swallowed, nodding. Yeah. Because that was terrifying. Exos hadn’t even needed to think to call all those lives to him. It struck me then how easily he could command the fae, manipulate their minds to his will, and take over the entire elemental world. Maybe even more.

  Yet he remained poised and in control.

  Always.

  No wonder you’re so stubborn, I marveled. Both of you.

  Exos chuckled. Ah, Claire, we could say the same about you.

  He pulled me to him, his fingers running through my hair, or what felt like my hair, anyway. We were really just apparitions of ourselves, but I sensed him touching me back in Cyrus’s room, his body a blanket of protective heat beside my own.

  Let’s try calling your mom, he suggested softly. As Cyrus said, our bloodline reaches out to us automatically, as do any of our mates. So she should be hovering nearby.

  Somehow I doubted it would be that easy. How do I find her?

  Think about her, Exos replied. Picture her in your mind. Call her to you.

  Okay. I considered the ball, the way she’d appeared to me in that wispy form, and wondered if that resembled her current state. So elderly and frail and not at all like the photo I saw of her as a child. But nothing happened, the only souls swimming around me belonging to those of my mates. I smiled as Titus brushed my cheek, his fire leaving an ember behind like a kiss.

  Sol continued to weave around me as if trying to root himself in my soul. Maybe he was, too. We weren’t yet fully bonded. Soon, I promised him. My Sol.

  And then there was Vox, who continued to hover near Exos, ever vigilant.

  My lips curled at how perfect they all were, my circle of fae mates. Even here they acted as I expected.

&nbs
p; Until a disturbance rumbled between us, causing them all to flicker around me in a shield of protective warmth.

  Cyrus moved to my side, Exos on the other, their expressions hard.

  Tell me this is normal, I said, grabbing their hands as another tremble threatened my footing.

  I’m not in the habit of lying, Claire, Cyrus replied, his fingers tightening against mine. Your mother is trying to answer your call, but something is stopping her.

  Something powerful, Exos added, his arm lifting as he commanded the spirit to appear. I felt it rather than heard him, the power erupting from him harsh and all-consuming. It threatened to steal my breath away, causing my heart to jump wildly in my chest.

  Exos...

  Let him concentrate, Cyrus murmured, his grip resembling concrete as wind whipped around us in a violent maelstrom of energy.

  I sensed the fight in Exos, his dominance taking over as he broke through the binds that held my mother’s soul captive. Each mental snap made me cringe, the visual in my head one of agony and despair.

  You’re hurting her, I breathed, shaking from the onslaught of her pain. Exos, you’re hurting her!

  I know, he gritted back. But I have no other choice.

  Cyrus wrapped his arms around me before I could retaliate, his embrace a waterfall of sincerity and love that ejected me from the spiral of anguish and into one of peace and tranquility. I blinked in confusion, his mist a cloud I didn’t expect to see or feel. But oh, how I adored him. How I needed that brush with reality, the reminder of our bond.

  Ready? he asked.

  For?

  His mouth captured mine for a split second before everything evaporated to reveal a vapid space of white and nothing else.

  I blinked. Cyrus?

  Nothing.

  Exos?

  No reply.

  I twirled in a circle, finding myself alone in a world of endless white.

  Oh no. This can’t be good.

  I spun again, my eyes opening and closing wildly, my heart practically bursting in my chest. Exos! Cyrus!

  Why had they left me?

  Where was I?