Page 32 of Never Kiss a Fae

But of course, what the hell could she say after that calmly delivered edict?

Fucking royal blood, not thinking at all about the consequences of his words. Just uttering them as if he were speaking to a fellow warrior, not a female who had clearly been through hell over the last day or two.

“So what would you choose, Claire? Because I thought the Academy route to be the most humane and practical of options, but if you prefer I drop you in the Spirit Kingdom, we can leave tonight.”

“How about we provide Claire with a tour tomorrow of the Academy and let her see what life here would be like before you force her to choose,” I suggested, my teeth grating over every word. “And maybe give her a chance to understand the Fae Realm as well while you’re at it.”

Exos met my gaze, his blue eyes simmering. “Just because I’ve tagged you for her team does not mean you may speak out of line.”

“My job is to protect her. Consider that my current goal.” I narrowed my eyes. “Unless you think threatening her life is something I should be overlooking?”

His lips actually twitched. “You are to protect her from others, not from me.”

“Maybe she needs protection from you the most,” I countered, flames inching beneath my skin.

Elana coughed, dispelling the mood with a wave of her hand. “I think a tour is a great idea. Claire can remain here tonight, then Titus can provide a tour in the morning of Fire Quad. And we’ll work out dorm arrangements afterward.”

Meaning she wanted to see Claire’s reaction to the world before she assigned her sleeping quarters.

“Assuming that is okay with you, dear?” Elana asked, her benevolent gaze finding Claire. The woman was the peacekeeper of our race for a reason, and it showed as she smiled. “Would you like to see the Academy? I think you might find it enlightening. And Titus could take you to the game this weekend, to see the competition of elements. Assuming he’s up for it.”

I hadn’t planned to go, but if it was something Claire wanted to see, I’d take her. “Sure.”

Claire glanced sideways at me, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Y-you’re a student.” Not a question, but a statement.

Still, I nodded. “First year, yep.”

“A-and I would be near you on the tour?” she asked, her throat working over each word. I rather enjoyed the hopeful glint in her eyes.

“I’ll happily show you around campus.” I reached over for her hand. “It’s really beautiful. You’ll love it. Lots of trees and flowers and nature.”

She nibbled her lip. “Fairies?”

I chuckled. “No. Those are just here.”

“Anything else magical?”

“All sorts of elemental magic, sweetheart.” I squeezed her hand. “We’re fae. We live and breathe our powers. But the purpose of the Academy is control, so you won’t have to fear anyone or anything. Everyone is learning.”

“Like a university,” she said, repeating Elana’s sentiments.

“Yeah, except we learn how to hone our gifts for the betterment of society, while you attended college for, like, a job. And half of the crap you all study is worthless.” River’s cheeks pinkened as Claire met his gaze. “Sorry, I’ve studied some of the Human Realm. It’s, uh, fun to me.”

“What kind of fae are you?” she asked, eyeing him with curiosity. “I can’t sense your energy like I do Exos’s and Titus’s.”

Her words had my gaze snapping up to Exos, who merely smirked. Those words, so innocent on her lips, meant far more than she realized. If she sensed Exos the way she did me, it meant he was a potential mate for her as well.

And the slight curve of Elana’s lips confirmed she knew it all along.

As did the startled expression River wore.

Fae mated once, for life. But only with one person and always of their element.

That Claire had found a potential connection with two fae, of different elements, was unique. No, it was unheard of.

Maybe she meant she felt Exos’s aura the way I felt other Fire Fae who were a potential match to my own magic?

“I, uh, control water,” River said, swallowing. “I’m a Water Fae.”