Page 389 of Bitten By the Fae

However, I refused to do it through dark methods.

Zeph’s shield zapped another approaching creature, making me wince.

That’s not the way.

Two more fell from the sky, their beautiful lights fizzling out as the birds perished from whatever enchantment he’d woven. I understood that he was just trying to protect us, that all Midnight Fae had been taught to fight savagery with responding barbarity, but Earth Fae believed inlife. We desired light and sunshine and fresh air and flourishing flowers and happy animals.

I knelt, my fingers digging into the dark rocks of the path, my eyes falling closed as I sought out the plants and trees around me.

The burning thwomps.

The black flowers.

The charcoal blades.

All the foreign Midnight Faelife, and showed them the source inside me. Not the dark one, but the one filled with sunshine and elements—my connection toearth. Then I manipulated their strength and bolstered their vitality, renewing their purpose and providing enhanced growth.

Roots settled deeper. The charcoal blades stood a little taller. The flowers bloomed.

Around them, the fire gnats buzzed in curiosity, temporarily distracted by the thriving plant life.

My power stretched and grew to the snake-vines, the organism more plant than reptile. They resisted me at first, displeased by my manipulation. But a few gentle strokes of vivacity had them purring instead of hissing, their vines thickening to a more robust shape that slithered with a strength resembling the rocks behind them.

Which was what I stroked next—the gargoyles.

They were made of stone, beings of the earth, and I surrounded them with my element, marrying the darkness to the light and providing them with a freshness and vigor unlike any they’d ever felt before. I felt their confusion and surprise, two emotions that bled into respect and adoration.

It all happened so fast, so naturally, sokindly, that the other creatures began to swarm in curiosity rather than anger. They’d expected retaliation—a fight. But I showed them affection instead. I introduced them to the Elemental Fae way of existence while also proving my dominance by being the one in charge of their restoration.

You’re all mine to groom, I was telling them.Mine to strengthen. Mine to empower.

What wasn’t said—what they allknew—was that they were also mine to destroy.

Yet deep down they could sense my unwillingness to hurt them.

Which I proved by pushing life to the fiery birds that had fallen, demanding their wings flap once again.

Thatcame from the dark source, the ability to resurrect and revive life a Death Blood trait that I naturally understood with a spell from Shade’s mind. Or maybe it came from Zakkai. All my mates were so much a part of me that I could pick and choose enchantments at will, my Quandary Blood connection allowing me to write and rewrite incantations without much thought.

So perhaps it had been a combination of effort, coming from Shade and Zakkai both.

Regardless, it worked, the firebirds flapping their glowing wings as they took off for the sky once more. Zeph had dropped his shield, ensuring that the beings weren’t harmed again. The other creature had been a stonepecker—the rare birdlike rodent known for absorbing and dismantling spells.

He took my enchantment now to bring himself back to full health, then scurried off to hide among the snake-vines.

The phoenix was last, the large bird standing so tall that I looked directly into his multicolored eyes as I slowly returned to my feet. He cocked his head, intrigue flourishing in his intelligent gaze.

We didn’t speak so much as communicate with our spirits, mine brushing his in astute praise of his beauty and prestige.

He responded by fluttering his stunning plumes, showing off in a masculine way that reminded me a bit of my mates.I bet you do that for all the pretty girls, hmm?I thought at him.

He preened in response, strutting along the ground and showing off his long, elegant stride.

Yeah, you know you’re pretty, I told him, lifting my hand. He stepped forward without fear, his assuredness born of being a profound predator known for dismantling his prey.

His feathery head met my palm, his stunning plumes soft and welcoming beneath my fingers. “Very beautiful,” I praised.

Clove clicked on my shoulder in agreement.