Page 168 of Never Kiss a Fae

Oh, Claire, I thought, turning back to the bedroom and her stirring form.You have no idea how complicated this is about to become.

Her beautiful blue eyes blinked open, the sleepy quality inside stealing my breath for just a moment.

And then she reached for me, that sultry purr in her throat telling me exactly what she desired.

My father excused himself silently as I lowered myself over my bride and captured her mouth in the kiss I knew she craved.

One more night alone.

Then I’d share her once more.

But for tonight, she was mine.

My Claire.

Chapter25

Vox

Aweek.

Afuckingweek and we still hadn’t heard anything.

My fingers went to my chest, the ache still there, reminding me that I hadn’t imagined the horrible night where Titus had gone supernova in front of the Spirit Quad and Sol had very nearly lost control of his power.

The night Claire had taken over.

Her presence a breath inside me, begging me to help her, to let her in. And I—

“Vox!” Professor Helios snapped, making me flinch. His bushy brows furrowed with impatience. My reputation as his best student had taken a hit over the last month. I’d been too damn distracted.

She’s ruining me. In the best way. And the worst.

My half-hearted attempt at today’s exercise resembled exactly how I felt. A weakened air pixie floundered on my desk, sending dust motes drifting around her head as she feebly squeaked up at me in protest. She shuddered, wilted, and then disintegrated into ash.

“I didn’t say you could dismiss your project,” the professor deadpanned, but I recognized the note of concern in the way the air flitted around him.

The other students whispered, their magic sending words flying all over the classroom in wisps I shouldn’t have been able to hear, but everything had changed since that night with Claire. Aside from the obvious—our forced bond. But in addition to that, my powers seemed to be going haywire. Claire had weakened me by absorbing so much of my element, and it left my magic clawing at me with a lack of control I wasn’t used to experiencing.

Is this how Sol feels all the time?

“Vox. What in the motes has gotten—”

A knock at the door interrupted the professor’s reprimand, and I was relieved until I spotted Elana’s bright eyes and friendly smile.

Shit.

“May I speak to Vox for a moment?” she asked.

The stunned professor bowed. “Of course, Chancellor.”

The whispers started up again, and I tried to ignore them, but my magic wouldn’t allow me a moment’s peace. It was as if the elements wanted me to be on full alert until Claire returned and finished what she’d done to me.

“Do you think it’s about the Halfling?”

“Didn’t you hear? She’s the Water Queen.”

“Oh, I know. It’s insane. Cyrus and Exos?”