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

by Lexi C. Foss

  “Do you know what it’s like to know something happened but not be able to detail it?” I wondered out loud, lifting my head to meet her gaze. “I remember the pain, the screams, my mother begging and my sister crying. Yet, I can’t tell you how it all unfolded.”

  I paused, needing a breath.

  Then forged ahead.

  Because she needed to understand. It was the only way to explain my fear and my inherent reactions to her element.

  “All I know is, a Spirit Fae plagued us that night. The fae reached into my soul and shredded it, did the same to my mother and my sister, and I had to watch them gradually die for over a decade as a result. No one believed me. But I saw the signs, Claire. I knew what was happening to them and couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it.”

  I trembled, their pain ingrained into my mind. The visual of them so ghastly and pale on their deathbeds.

  “Something happened that night, Claire,” I whispered. “Something that haunts me to the very core of my element and has left me without access to the source, even with my supposed royal ties. And you can see the scars of it on my spirit.”

  I reached for her hand, which, thankfully, she allowed me to take.

  “Look at me. Beneath the surface. Find my spirit and tell me what you see. Because it kills a part of me to know those marks are there and to not be able to prove it to my own eyes. Be my eyes, Claire. Please. Tell me what you see.” I brought her palm to my chest and closed my eyes, waiting.

  “Sol…” My name sounded so broken from her lips, but I refused to back down. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this until now.

  “Please, Claire,” I whispered. “I’m ready. Use your spirit and tell me who I am. Tell me what you see.”

  She brought her other palm to my face, and I leaned into her touch, craving the truth. I trusted her to do this, to explore me without harm, to learn my spirit and all the broken pieces of me.

  Because that was how I felt beneath it all.

  Shattered.

  Alone.

  Lonely.

  She had my heart, but what we both needed all this time was for her to access my soul. I’d kept it locked away and out of reach, protecting that final part of me that was so wounded long ago.

  It was finally time for me to stop hiding.

  For her.

  For us.

  Her breath fanned my lips a second before she kissed me. So soft and tentative as I felt the first stirrings of her power brushing against mine. I didn’t retreat. I didn’t even flinch. I merely accepted this as our fate. Welcomed her into me. And unleashed everything I owned for her to explore.

  Warmth spiraled through my center, blossoming in my chest as I felt her spirit brush mine. No icy talons or sharp stabs of pain. Just a pleasant comfort. My Claire, caressing me in a way I never could have anticipated.

  It stole the breath from my lungs.

  Escalated my pulse and subdued it at the same time.

  Left me depleted and exhilarated all in a single second.

  Vitality, I realized. She’s gifting me the comfort of her vitality.

  And it brought a tear to my eye, the soothing touch not one I expected. “Claire,” I whispered, my throat clogging with emotion.

  “Shh,” she murmured, her fingertips trailing over my cheek to my neck. “I can’t mend your scars, but I can relieve some of the tension in them.”

  I shivered as her actions followed her words, an invisible weight lifting from my shoulders with each passing moment. The intimacy of the moment alleviated all my worries. Filled me with hope. Replenished my every desire. By the time she pulled away, I felt so full of life I thought I might burst.

  Instead, another tear fell from my eye, one she caught with her finger. And she sighed. “Oh, Sol, I can’t even imagine the pain you endured to receive such damage.”

  “That’s not even the worst part for me,” I admitted. “I can deal with the pain. It’s not knowing how it happened that haunts me.” My eyelids opened to find her gazing at me with so much love it made my heart hurt. “I survived, Claire. That’s the biggest punishment of it all—having to watch the plague take my mother and my sister while leaving me healthy and alive in their place. And never understanding why.”

  “While only knowing a Spirit Fae caused it all,” she added, her voice whisper-soft. “How old were you when it happened?”

  “Seven.” I swallowed. “My sister was only five. She lived for over a decade with that darkness inside her, stunting her growth and abilities, until finally she died. And you know what she said to me that day?”

  It hurt to repeat, to relive the memory, but Claire needed to know. I had to tell her everything I could. To help her understand why her element terrified me.

  I cleared my throat, pushing the emotion down into my chest, where it festered and burned. “She… she told me she was thankful,” I managed to say, my voice hoarse. “She was thankful it was finally her time to die. Because she knew it wouldn’t hurt anymore. And she’d be with my mother again. Her only regret was leaving me.”

  To live a lonely existence while always wondering why it all happened.

  What I did to deserve such a cruel fate.

  “Sometimes I think I received the worst punishment of all,” I whispered. “Because I survived. Because I had to bury them both in the earth. And live on. Without them.” My history was the reason Aflora meant so much to me. She was there through it all, living the agony at my side.

  She was possibly the only one who understood.

  Until Claire.

  “Oh, Sol,” my mate said now, her arms encircling my neck and pulling me up onto the bed to join her. She didn’t cry or cast pity my way, two things I was grateful for. Instead, she curled into me and gave me her strength, her spirit caressing mine in a kiss of life.

  We lay like that for what might have been hours.

  Me lost to the memories of my past.

  Claire soothing my fractured soul.

  I relaxed into our embrace, feeling closer to her than ever before, with my hand drifting up and down her bare side. Content, I realized. I’m truly content.

  Because she was mine.

  And I was hers.

  Not officially, though. Not quite.

  “I know I’ve not been the best mate,” I started, deciding that might be the understatement of the century. “Trusting Exos and Cyrus will never come easily to me. But deep down, I know they’re not evil. I know they’d never do this to a person out of spite. It’s just the mere idea that they could that unnerves me. And you possess the same ability.”

  “I do,” she murmured, her fingers tracing patterns into my shirt as she rested her head against my shoulder. “But the thought of harming another in that way sickens me, Sol. I would never do it. And certainly not to you.”

  “I know.” I tightened my hold around her, squeezing her. “I know, Claire.”

  “Cyrus and Exos wouldn’t either.”

  “I know that, too. But whenever I feel spirit energy in use, it… it makes me ill. Because all I remember is how it was used against me in a way I can’t recall. All I hear are my sister’s dying words. All I see are my mother’s gaunt features and her lips trying to form one final smile.” I closed my eyes against the pain. “I don’t know if it will ever go away.”

  “How did you feel when my spirit touched yours?” she asked softly, peeking up at me. “Did that hurt you?”

  I shook my head. “No. It felt…” I searched my brain for the right words. “Soothing. Good. Natural.”

  She studied me for a long moment, then propped herself up on my chest. “Then maybe that’s what you need to heal. I would never wish to replace your memories, but we could add new ones, positive ones, that you can draw upon whenever you feel spirit in use.”

  Her soul kissed mine with her statement, whether on purpose or not, I wasn’t sure. But I felt her presence there, the warmth of her nearness and acceptance, her calming energy surrounding mine. It elicited a shiver from d
eep within, the ease with which she accessed my soul both unnerving and sensual. A conflict of interest that would likely take years to fix. However, her idea held merit.

  “I would be willing to try,” I said, my voice much softer than it’d ever been before. “But only with you.” Exos and Cyrus meant well, something I understood on a fundamental level, but the notion of allowing them access to my soul had all my walls flaring.

  Still, I could admit that I owed both of them an apology.

  Especially Cyrus.

  My comments earlier were unfounded and unfair. I knew he had no choice but to mate Claire. Was thankful he’d done it to save her life. And it was very clear to me that she didn’t regret it at all. Even if I didn’t understand her attraction to the royal prick.

  Her lips curled, amusement flashing in her eyes. “I can feel your animosity toward Cyrus. He’s not that bad, you know.”

  “I know.” I frowned. “But he’s still a dick.”

  “It’s part of his charm,” she replied, smiling. “And he respects your boundaries, Sol. I’ve been with him on the spirit plane, have seen how he avoids touching your spirit. Exos, too.”

  “You found my soul on the spirit plane?”

  She shook her head. “No. You found me. You all did. Like you were protecting me from myself and the source itself.” She rested her chin on my sternum. “Exos and Cyrus were very careful not to touch any of you, or any of the other souls drifting around. I don’t know who did this to you, but it definitely wasn’t them.”

  “I know,” I said. “Logically, I know. But in the moment…”

  “It’s hard not to fall on old memories,” she replied. “Yes, I understand. But it’s something we can work through, Sol. Together. If you want.”

  I didn’t hesitate. “I do, Claire. I want forever with you, too. The whole fight started because Exos demanded I mate you, but it felt wrong to do something without talking to you first. I wanted to ask you formally. I had it all planned with peaches, too.” It seemed ridiculous now. Childish. But with all the chaos of late, I wanted to give her that moment of peace and sweetness. To escape to our special place and discuss forever together.

  “Peaches?” she repeated, her eyes smiling. “I do love peaches.” She moved up my body to press her palms into the pillows on either side of my head, her bare breasts hanging over my chest as she angled herself over me. It didn’t seem intentional on her part, but I was definitely enjoying the sexual connotation behind her words, coupled with the visual.

  Her expression, however, fell serious. Her gaze intent.

  “I want forever with you, too, Sol,” she said. “But it requires accepting all of me. Including my spirit. And Cyrus. And Exos. I need to know you can do that.”

  I lifted my palm to cup her cheek while my other arm slid around her back, holding her. “I already do, Claire. My mind may fight my intentions, but my heart has accepted you all for longer than I can admit. My soul will take longer, at least with Cyrus and Exos. However, you’re mine, Claire. And I’m yours. If you’ll have me, that is.”

  She canted her head. “Forever?”

  “Forever,” I repeated. “Everything I have is yours, if you will have me.”

  Tension eased from her features, her lips curling as she bent to brush her mouth against mine. “Then I will take you, Sol, every single piece, and I’ll put you back together again.”

  She kissed me again, this time with more sensuality and intent.

  “Tomorrow?” I asked softly, not wanting to spend another day without finalizing our bond but also knowing I needed time to create the perfect oasis for our ceremony. To show her I truly meant what I said.

  “Tomorrow,” she agreed, falling into my embrace. “But for tonight, I want you to kiss me, Sol. Show me I’m yours.”

  I threaded my fingers through her hair, holding her above me. “Only if you return the favor by claiming me in return.”

  Her spirit settled against mine. “Oh, Sol, you’ve been mine for a while now.”

  I smiled against her mouth. “Good. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

  “Stop flirting and kiss me, Sol.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  I took her mouth with my own, unleashing all my emotions into our embrace and allowing her unfettered access to every part of me.

  My soul had never felt more alive.

  All because of my Claire.

  My little flower, the one who’d finally given me the chance to bloom.

  Sol

  Everything had to be perfect. Especially after all the shit that went down yesterday.

  I needed to reaffirm to Claire that I loved her. To prove that she was my rock. And to make sure she knew I was in this for eternity. Not just with her, but with the entire circle.

  Surveying the oasis I’d created brought a grin to my face. I’d spent all day on this project, and it was perfect. All of Claire’s favorite plants and trees covered the grounds, stirring notes of sweet fruits throughout the air. Flowers of all shapes, sizes, and colors lined the walkways, and the sprout of the World Tree I’d called into the center now towered high into the sky.

  Across from it sat a fountain—one Cyrus had created to commemorate the occasion. He meant it as a peace offering, which I’d accepted and returned by giving him a bucket of peaches. He nibbled on one now from his spot on the path, his icy gaze grinning in approval. “Almost done, Earth Fae?”

  “Yeah.” I knelt and inspired a few more flowers to bloom, then nodded. “I’m ready.”

  “You are,” he agreed, clapping me on the back. “Or Exos might kill you.”

  I snorted. “He could try.” And probably succeed. But he wouldn’t do that to Claire.

  “Let’s go,” Cyrus said, leading the way.

  I left the grove behind with a sense that everything was going to go perfectly tonight. Claire loved life and earth and adored the stillness of everlasting promises our element offered, just as much as I did. She’d taught me how to embrace the source of my power, and now I would share my world with her.

  I couldn’t fucking wait.

  Returning to the Spirit Quad, Exos cocked a brow. “Does our giant have a skip in his step?”

  Vox grinned as he adjusted his warrior’s tail. “I’d say so. Wonder why that could be?”

  I opened my mouth to tell them both to fuck off, but the music of Claire’s giggles cresting the corner made me pause.

  A red glow preceded her as she made her entrance, flames forming a thin dress down her delicious curves as Titus rested a hand on her hip. He never took his eyes from her, glued just as I was to the raw beauty of her power.

  “May I present our glowing mate?” Titus pressed a sensual kiss to her neck, then waggled his brows playfully.

  Claire brushed him away and smiled shyly at me. “Hey, Sol.”

  Her nerves were palpable, likely a result of being bathed in Titus’s passion, but it didn’t bother me at all. She was my mate, my heart, my rock. And she radiated such joy that I couldn’t help but be grateful to Titus for making her smile like that.

  I offered my hand to her, feeling massive when she slipped her tiny fingers into my waiting palm. “Hello, little flower.”

  Her cheeks deepened in a ruby blush as she transitioned her power to accommodate mine. Fire made way for bronze, and her dress took on a metallic hue.

  Beautiful.

  I bent to taste her plump lips and Claire lifted her chin. Just a quick kiss, meant to—

  An icy chill swept through the Spirit Quad, causing us to freeze.

  Silence.

  Followed by an agonized scream that split straight into my skull.

  “Mom!” Claire shouted, eyes wide as she spun and tumbled out of my grip. Her dress melted to ash as she ran toward the bedroom where we kept Ophelia isolated. Titus was hot on her heels, his shirt flowing off his body to wrap around hers, as our mate seemed completely oblivious to being stark naked.

  All of us stopped in the hallway,
and Claire entered first.

  Ophelia shrieked, flinging herself into the corner of the room, her eyes wide with raw terror. She still resembled more of a corpse than something alive, her stringy hair a ghastly veil that framed her gaunt face.

  “Elana!” she screeched and pressed herself further into the corner, curling her knees up to her chest as she made herself small.

  Claire glanced at the five of us. “Don’t frighten her. Please.”

  My jaw flexed. Claire might believe Elana was behind all of this, but until I saw substantial proof of that, Ophelia remained on my guilty list.

  The bitch had tried to kill my mate, something Claire seemed to have forgotten. But she insisted on taking the gentle approach.

  Fine.

  Obeying, I nodded and eased into the shadows where I could keep an eye on her should Ophelia go from cowering corpse to crazed killer.

  But Exos took a step forward, unwilling to hide. As Spirit King, I supposed he had the most right to that claim. This was the female who supposedly demolished his kind. I got it.

  Titus and Vox lingered in the doorway while Cyrus joined me in the shadows, his spirit humming at the ready. Between him and his brother, Ophelia wouldn’t be able to pull any tricks on us.

  And if she did, well, I could always smash her face in.

  Claire glared at me when the ground rumbled, and I pulled my power back into my body, biting the side of my cheek to keep myself in check.

  “Mom, it’s me. It’s Claire,” my mate said, her voice low and sweet as Titus’s shirt billowed around her thighs. She seemed to frown at it, momentarily distracted. And my lips parted as she burned away the garment, replacing it with an array of fluttering pink butterflies.

  “When did you learn to do that?” I wondered out loud.

  Her lips quirked up. “Aflora taught me a few wardrobe tricks.” Her amusement was short-lived, her focus quickly returning to her mother. “Mom?”

  Ophelia blinked up at Claire, her expression competing between terror and awe. “C-Claire?” My mate reached out to comfort the creature, but the moment of lucidity passed and Ophelia’s face twisted with horror. “No! Stop it! I can’t take it anymore!”