Page 117 of Never Kiss a Fae

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.

Chapter3

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.Hurthim. “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 thisRoyal Faejackass. I wasnotweak.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.