Page 232 of Never Kiss a Fae

I arched a brow. His power seemed to be unraveling as a result of the mating, something he hadn’t exactly admitted out loud. But I could see it in the way he handled himself, especially now. Yet he said nothing. Part of me wanted to call him out on it. Claire was our mate, and if his powers were on the fritz, she needed to be aware of it.

However, as someone who had spent an entire life in his shoes, I understood his hesitancy. He would tell us when he was ready. As long as it didn’t wind out of control, I would allow it. But the second I even suspected he might put Claire in danger, I’d call him on it.

Vox wiped his hands on his pants before slipping into the carriage and next to Claire. His gaze went down her delicious curves, and another stronger breeze swept her hair away from her shoulders, revealing cleavage that I wanted to bite into like one of her ripe peaches.

Claire chuckled. “If the two of you keep looking at me like that, we’re not going to make it to the ball with our clothes on.”

Vox’s gaze snapped up to her face, and he offered her a smile. “You’re gorgeous, Claire. You’re going to be the envy of everyone at the ball.”

Her natural blush deepened. “And you both look quite dashing in your suits. I’m glad we decided on formal wear.” She glanced at us, and this time I took note of howwewere affectingher. We’d all been intimate together before, but tonight felt like it was supposed to be special, that it needed to be perfect.

I cleared my throat and leaned onto my knees, taking one of Claire’s hands and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I agree with Vox. All the fae are going to drop at your feet.”

With the tense moment broken, Claire smiled, her magic conjuring tiny pink butterflies. It was a new trait, one that I liked and made her seem all the more ethereal. Her free hand strayed to Vox so that we were all connected, then she glanced around the carriage. “So, uh, how do we get to the ball? I don’t see any horses or anything.”

That was Vox’s cue. Usually, an Earth Fae would hire a troll, or some other creature of burden, to take us to the ball. But we didn’t need one with an Air Fae present.

Vox grinned, and this time he appeared more confident now that he was touching Claire. She seemed to ground him and embolden his courage.

A strong gust of wind caught at the carriage, sending it rolling along the path to the ball.

Claire jolted as the wheels moved, and amusement warmed her features. “Oh, I see.”

Vox normally would have had to concentrate for the amount of elemental power it took us to ride all the way to the ball, but he was strengthened by his connection to his mate.

I felt the same with her.

My unruly energy found its roots in her soul, something that only intensified as she closed her eyes and allowed the three of our elements to blend into an intoxicating web of rightness.

I almost didn’t want to leave when the carriage came to a halt outside the bustle of the castle used for the Academy’s entertainment events. However, when Claire gaped up at it, I knew she was going to love every minute of this.

I exited the carriage first, followed by Vox, and we both held out our hands for our mate.

Several fae paused on the stairs to watch, causing Claire to freeze. Air magic swept up her golden locks, sending them tumbling over her shoulders in an alluring wave. My earth gave her skin a bronze glow, and then there was still the immense buildup of her time with the others. Her eyes glowed blue with Cyrus’s water, her tongue flicked out with a touch of Titus’s fire, and a fresh sprinkle of pink butterflies tangled up in her hair like a crown, reflecting Exos’s coronation and her eternal connection with the source of spirit.

Her impact stole my breath away, as it did for any fae who’d stopped to observe the new arrival.

Aflora was the first to break the frozen moment. “Sol!” she exclaimed, skipping up to us and flashing Claire an adoring smile. “I see that you’ve brought the Halfling.”

Claire chuckled. “I do have a name, you know.”

Aflora’s eyes widened. “Oh, I didn’t mean to offend. I just, uh...” She bit her lip. “I’m terrible at this.”

Claire grinned. “I’ll let you in on a secret,” she whispered as she descended the carriage. “I’m terrible at this, too.”

My lips curved, pleased by their interaction. “She prefers ‘Claire,’?” I said softly.

“I do,” my mate agreed.

“Claire,” Aflora repeated, her pale cheeks pinkening as she studied the makeshift crown in Claire’s hair. “I love your ornaments.” She reached up to touch one and jumped back when it moved.

“Butterflies,” Claire explained. “They’re my favorite.”

“They’re beautiful,” Aflora replied, awed.

“Thank you.” She licked her lips and glanced at Vox, who squeezed her hand in encouragement.

This was probably the longest conversation Claire had ever experienced with another fae on campus, aside from her mates. I couldn’t have picked a better representative. Not only was Aflora kind, but she was well liked by our people. They would see her interaction with Claire as a vote of confidence.