by Lexi C. Foss
“The vote passed,” Cyrus finally said, his lips curling. “No one voted against it. The Interrealm Fae Academy project can officially begin.”
I jumped up in excitement, then immediately stopped as Ciro gurgled in response. It took me a second to realize he was giggling around his bottle.
Vox walked over, cooing at the little man, and took him from me so I could properly react, which included hugging Exos and Cyrus extra hard. Then kissing them within an inch of my life. And also promising a whole slew of dirty things in their minds.
“I’m holding you to that,” Cyrus said.
“I would expect nothing less,” I replied, grinning like a loon. “Oh, I can’t believe it passed!” I knew they’d gotten the Hell Fae to somehow agree, but hadn’t heard any of the details yet. Mostly because they’d delivered the news as I was going into labor. Still, I couldn’t be more thrilled that they’d pulled this off for me. I really did have the best mates in the world.
“I told you to trust us,” Cyrus murmured. “We’re good at negotiating.”
“I know,” I deadpanned. “Very good.”
“The best, actually,” Exos said, his tone indicating he meant it.
Titus grunted, then took Ciro from Vox and started humming him a little fae ballad, his gaze filled with love and adoration for the now-grinning faeling in his arms.
I smiled, my heart bursting with warmth. All of my mates helped with every single task, even diaper changes. And I never even had to ask.
Seriously, I was probably the luckiest woman in the world. And it made me just so incredibly grateful for them and their support system and their love.
Just as I was grateful for my multiple Christmas celebrations as Sol finished his multicolored forest of trees. Cyrus took our son as Vox and Titus went to work adding magical ornaments, all of them glittering in the setting sun, something Ciro found just as mesmerizing as I did.
It really was a merry Christmas. My favorite one yet. “You guys are so screwed,” I realized out loud, laughing. “There’s no way another holiday will ever beat this one.”
Titus’s eyes gleamed with embers as Exos gave me a smoldering look of his own.
“Don’t be so sure about that, little queen,” Cyrus murmured. “This mate-circle is only just getting started.”
TEN MONTHS LATER
“SO, WHEN ARE WE DOING THIS?” Titus asked, his eyes burning with intrigue. “Because we’re definitely starting with the orgasm trial. I deserve a rematch.”
I smirked, amused by Titus’s confidence that he would win this time around. And maybe he would, but one glance at the rest of our mate-circle proved he was going to have his work cut out for him.
Sol sported his permanent burp cloth and a record for the most bottle feedings. It seemed the fae’s rumbling heartbeat put our son at ease.
Vox held the diaper-changing record, to which we were all immensely grateful.
Titus could always make the faeling laugh, even without trying. My son found his aggression amusing—just as I did.
Exos constantly knew what my son needed, regardless of what it was. His spirit had intertwined with the child, giving them a link through their mother that I adored.
And then there was me. I could always calm Ciro no matter his discord, able to lull him to sleep with a push of tranquility and peace—a gift that came to me whenever I thought of Claire.
If one fae child was like this, then I looked forward to more.
All of us were ready for round two. Except for maybe Claire. Which was why we’d devised a longer trial this time around.
“We tied on the orgasm trial, Firefly,” I reminded him, enjoying his flare of aggression at the nickname.
Yes, I’d call him that until the end of time.
I loved fucking with him in every possible way.
“You’re disqualified this time around,” Titus informed me, his green eyes burning with challenge. He stabbed a finger at my chest, making me grin. “I don’t think you should even get to participate.”
Oh, I very much was going to participate, even if it wasn’t for points. I didn’t need an excuse to fuck Claire.
Igniting Titus was just a side bonus.
“I thought you wanted a rematch?” I taunted him.
His jaw ticked in response. “You’re going down, Royal Jackass.”
My lips twitched. “I only kneel for Claire.”
“So you say,” he replied. “But I’m going to change that. One day.”
“In your dreams,” I agreed. “Sure.”
“Never—”
“We need different trials,” Sol interjected, tapping his lip. “How about a gardening trial?”
“Like you wouldn’t have an edge there,” Vox said, rolling his eyes.
“An Elemental trial,” Exos suggested. “One where each of us is tested based on our affinity.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall of the empty nursery, sending a new flurry of purple butterflies to dance against Titus’s drifting embers. “After the last phase three mating, I think a magical endurance trial would absolutely be in order.”
We all shifted our feet as we recalled that experience. Yes, that was something I very much wanted to do again.
Claire cleared her throat, glowering at us as she dripped water onto the floor by the doorway. “I hope you guys aren’t talking about what I think you’re talking about. It’s not fair to conspire when I drop our son off for a visit with his grandmother.” She flicked her wrist, sending more droplets scattering. “He still has some serious separation anxiety. Fae help my mother, but that woman is a saint for watching him.”
Titus slipped his arm around her waist, sending a lasso of flames to wrap around her chest. “Who can blame him? I don’t like being separated from you either,” he murmured. “Although, now that you’re free, I suggest that I dry you off, starting by removing your clothes.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, lighting herself on fire to dry her own clothes. It served as a statement to remind us all that her elements were fully functional once more. “You can’t distract me. I know what you’re up to.”
Well, that certainly sounded like a challenge to me.
Titus seemed to agree, because he nipped at her. “Our faeling needs a little brother or sister, maybe one who can keep his elemental affinity in check?” he suggested, referring to her previously drenched state. My son had learned how to splash his magic, and he particularly loved dousing us with the magical waves.
I loved it.
Claire, not so much.
“I’m not ready,” she said, her words holding a flat tone to them as she accessed her fire magic to dry out her hair.
I scooped her into my arms, guessing that her reservations came from how many surprises she’d endured the last time. We certainly could have done a better job of preparing her for a fae birth, but I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. “We know what to expect this time around,” I assured her, running my thumb along her lower lip. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but we’ve proved that you don’t have to do this alone, little queen.”
She sighed. “Yes, you have. That’s not the problem.” She rested her cheek against my shoulder, her gaze growing distant. “I’m just afraid of neglecting him when a new faeling takes the spotlight, you know? I want my son to get all the love he needs.”
Vox chuckled. “Claire. You have five mates who adore you, and you’re worried about sharing your love?”
She pursed her lips. “I guess it does sound silly when you put it that way.”
She held out her hand, taking Sol’s extended fingers as she surveyed our mate-circle. She’d never left anyone out, and I knew she would be able to share her love with five faelings without any issue.
Maybe even more.
“Would you like to hear about the new trials?” I asked, trailing my fingers south. “I think you’ll like them.”
“Prolonged trials,” she immediately said, spinning in my arms to face everyone else.
&nbs
p; My eyebrow arched as I met Exos’s gaze. His expression told me he had the exact same thought as I did.
She’s already thought about this. Which meant she’d already accepted the inevitable, at least on some level.
Good.
That would make this much simpler.
“I’m still not ready for another faeling yet,” she added. “Pregnancy and birth suck. You’re going to have to convince me to do it again.”
“You didn’t enjoy phase three?” I asked against her ear as I settled my hands on her hips.
She shivered. “Okay, that… that doesn’t count.”
“Doesn’t it?” Titus closed in on her front, running his finger down her chest, blazing a line that cut through her shirt. “Can we start working on the convincing now?”
“I…” Her lips parted when Vox and Sol came to her side, their hands roaming along her exposed flesh. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” Sol repeated, cupping her breast. “And how would you like us to convince you, little flower?”
“Orgasms,” she breathed, arching into his touch as he pinched her nipple through the fabric. “Lots and lots of orgasms.”
I pressed my arousal into her backside, fitting against her with the anticipation of meeting her every desire. “That can be arranged.”
Titus growled, nipping at her throat. “And this time I plan on winning.”
I grinned. “Then let the trials begin.”
Claire released a sigh as I slid my touch south again to move her panties aside, allowing Titus the access he required. Perhaps I’d give him a head start.
Her legs quivered as she released a delicious whimper. “Well, happy holidays to me…,” she said. “Again.”
The End
Curious about Kalt and his Winter Fae triad? Check out Winter Fae Holiday, coming December 2021.
Want more Lance? You can read all about him in Candela,
a Silver Springs why-choose story.
Other Fae World Series:
Elemental Fae Academy: The Complete Trilogy
Midnight Fae Academy: Vampire Why-Choose Romance
Fortune Fae Academy: Omegaverse Why-Choose Romance
A NOTE FROM J.R. THORN
I want to thank you for reading Elemental Fae Holiday and following Claire on her journey that has grown personal for me over the years.
After giving birth to my daughter the DAY that Lexi and I finished writing Elemental Fae Academy Book 3, this book was something that was on my mind all year and I couldn’t wait to write it.
Birth is no picnic. Neither is the first year of your child’s life. I wanted to write an escape where the difficulties of birth could be shared by five loving and attentive mates, who understood what Claire was going through and wanted to be there for her through thick and thin. I’m not saying my own husband wasn’t there for me, but real life tends to pale in comparison to how you might imagine it.
So I hope you found an escape just as I did with Claire and her mates. May you have a Happy Fae Festivus Holiday, no matter the time of year you’re reading this now. Until next time!
Love and Peaches,
Jen
WINTER FAE HOLIDAY
The Royal Water Fae I’m in love with just hired me to be his intern.
Oh. My. Fae.
I only applied for the job because of a dare, and now I’m packing my bags for the North Pole.
No big deal. I can totally be professional. I haven’t seen him since the Academy anyway. Maybe he’s gotten fat from all the Winter Fae sweets?
Except, no. Kalt hasn’t gotten fat at all. He’s still perfectly chiseled and even more gorgeous than I remembered. And worse? He has two equally hot friends.
A royal elf named Lark.
And a sexy-as-sin selkie named Norden.
I am so screwed. And I mean that literally because the elf and the selkie seem to think I’m their mate. Only Kalt completely disagrees.
Oh, and not only am I dealing with these three hotties, but my water magic is also on the fritz. I accidentally stirred up a snowball fight in the middle of Santa’s workshop, then ice tinsel started shooting from my fingertips like confetti.
It’s a problem.
One I’m not sure how to solve.
So, yeah, wish me luck! And send warm vibes. I really need some help melting all this snow…
Winter Fae Holiday is a quirky paranormal romance featuring a Water Fae from the Elemental Fae universe and her three potential mates.
CANDELA
What does a firefighter, a Fire Fae, and a husky shifter have in common? They all want a bite of Candela’s cupcake…
Hi! I’m Candela and I own the best cupcake shop in Silver Springs—before my reputation got ruined, anyway. Lately all of my cupcakes have been coming out burnt, my smoke detectors are on the fritz, and my husky companion named Jasper won’t stop barking at customers. When I thought it couldn’t get any worse, my favorite Christmas candle set my display stand on fire.
With no choice but to close up my shop for the day, I decide to release some stress at Silver Spring’s skating rink. You’d think that would chill me out—wrong! Apparently I’m a magnet for trouble because I’ve been hit by a mate spell and now I’m trapped between three guys who all want a taste.
Shane—the firefighter who wants to start my fire instead of quench it.
Jasper—my husky who turns out to be a shifter… he took showers with me, the pervert!
Lance—a sexy-as-sin Fire Fae who said his brother Titus sent him to my world to recover fire magic that didn’t belong to me and now its running rampant in Silver Springs. That sounds about right.
Send help, because these guys are going to burn me to a crisp!
Candela is a standalone paranormal comedy romance with a mystery to solve and a guest appearance of a delicious Fire Fae from the Elemental Fae universe—Titus’s brother!
This story is part of the Silver Springs shared universe and can be read in any order.
Welcome to Elemental Fae Academy where fae are real, the mentors are hot, and a magical plague has wiped out entire kingdoms. Oh, and the fae think I'm to blame.
╰☆☆Elemental Fae Academy: Book One☆☆╮
I kiss one guy at a bar on a dare and suddenly I'm whisked away to the fae realm, thrown into an Academy to control my gifts, and dodging mean girls who want to pin me for crimes I didn't commit.
It's a lot to take in, but I have help and they're in the form of several sexy Elemental Fae mentors. They're supposed to help me control my powers, but who's going to keep the elements from controlling me?
╰☆☆Elemental Fae Academy: Book Two☆☆╮
Someone wants me dead and they're using my missing mate to get to me. I have to stop them before it's too late.
No big deal. Master the elements, find my lost Spirit, and identify the bad guy.
Yeah. Easy.
Except Titus is tired of playing by the rules of others. Vox just wants to be friends. Sol is pissing everyone off. And Cyrus, well, he's a force of nature and thinks he's in charge.
Whoever is out to hurt me and mine will pay.
╰☆☆Elemental Fae Academy: Book Three☆☆╮
Royal Coronations. Finals. A Solstice Ball. And a mother hellbent on ruining the fae world.
Just another ordinary day for me, Claire Summers, the halfling fae with access to all five elements.
I'm in for the fight of my life with five fae protectors and an ally I never saw coming. It's up to us to save the Elemental Fae Kingdom before it's too late. And it'll require giving my heart to all my mates, to guard and to hold, for eternity and beyond.
This is a Paranormal Romance Complete Trilogy where there are five hot fae mentors and no choosing required!
Available on Amazon
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AFLORA, ZEPHYRUS, AND SHADE, IN MIDNIGHT FAE ACADEMY…
Welcome to Midnight Fae Academy.
Home of the Dark Arts.
Vampires.
And cru
elly handsome fae.
A forbidden bite led to my capture and recruitment.
There are no flowers here.
No life.
Only death.
I’m an Earth Fae who doesn’t belong here.
They can play their little mind games all they want, but I'm going to find a way back to my elemental world. Even if it kills me.
Except Headmaster Zephyrus is one step ahead of my every move.
Prince Kolstov won’t stop cornering me.
And Shadow—the reason I’m in this damn mess to begin with—haunts my dreams.
My affinity for the earth is dying and being replaced by something more sinister. Something powerful. Something deadly.
The Midnight Fae believe this is my fate.
They claim that I was “recruited” for a purpose.
To battle a rising presence.
Or to die trying.
I don’t owe them a damn thing. But if I have to pass their trials to find my way home, then so be it. I survived a plague and far worse in the Elemental Fae realm. An ominous energy? Please. What a joke.
Give it your best shot.
I’m waiting.
And don’t you dare bite me.
Or I’ll make you regret it.
Author Note: This is a dark paranormal reverse harem series with bully romance (enemies-to-lovers) elements. Despite Aflora’s opinions on the matter, there will definitely be biting. Shadow, aka Shade, guarantees it. This book ends on a cliffhanger.
Book One of Midnight Fae Academy
You met Gina in Elemental Fae Academy. Find out what she’s really up to in Fortune Fae Academy…
I never asked to be an Omega.
I’m a Fortune Fae—I see the future. But I didn’t see this coming.
My Alpha will stop at nothing to possess me and has dragged me all the way to Fortune Fae Academy to join the other wide-eyed Omegas-in-training. He believes I’ll survive--and I hope he’s right.
