Page 371 of Never Kiss a Fae

So yeah, I didn’t feel at all bad about roping him into this assignment.

Besides, he was on probation for another month, which meant he had to do anything we told him to anyway. That was what happened when you ran off to the Human Realm to pick fights with mortals.

Honestly, Claire had gone too easy on him by just turning him into a glorified intern. He needed to serve a jail sentence for what he’d done in New York. But I respected my mate’s wish to try and mentor him first. When that didn’t work, I’d be pushing for a harsher sentence. He needed to learn that there were strict consequences for his actions, something I knew he didn’t fully grasp yet.

“The goal here is to go about our typical day while keeping our item unharmed. But as our observers are all here at the Academy, some of us will have to improvise.” Exos looked pointedly at Cyrus, as the two of them didn’t reside on campus full-time. Sol, Vox, and I would be fine since we all had our respective studies. “Perhaps we can go work on the Spirit Quad? Continue the restorations?”

Cyrus nodded. “I think that would be a wise use of our time.”

“I can help,” Mortus replied. He was in charge of watching Exos—an activity that five years ago would have been completely off the table. We all had a history with the former Spirit Fae professor. It wasn’t a good one, either. But he’d slowly redeemed himself over time, particularly via his treatment of Claire’s mum, Ophelia.

The two of them had been engaged once, their third-level bonding one that should have been unbreakable. However, a bunch of shit went down that destroyed their mating and several lives.

There was a lot of heartbreak involved, but the pair seemed to be healing together.

“I guess I’ll help as well,” Lance muttered. “Since I’mobservingCyrus.”

The Water Fae King made a noise through his nose. “I’m going to put you to work for that comment.”

“You sound so disappointed about that,” my brother drawled, his attitude problem firmly in place.

I considered saying something but decided against it. Cyrus had this sorted and would quickly put the rebellious Fire Fae in his place.

I looked at Kalt. “Guess you’re joining me in the gym.”

The Water Fae lit up. “I like where this is going.”

“It’s not all that exciting. He doesn’t fight anymore,” my brother replied. “You’ll be bored in five minutes.”

I narrowed my gaze at my hotheaded little brother. “Watch yourself.”

“Or what?” He arched an auburn brow that looked exactly like my own. “You’ll challenge me? Oh, wait, you’re out of shape and old. So I guess you’ll just stand there and spew words at me instead.”

I growled, and Exos stepped in between us. “Stop baiting your brother.” Royal power flared around him as he stared my brother down. “And get your ass to the Spirit Quad before I show you how I duel. And it won’t be powerless.”

“I don’t need you to stand up for me,” I muttered, irritated that he’d defused the situation using his Spirit Fae King presence.

That felt like cheating, and I didn’t cheat.

“I’m not standing up for you,” Exos replied, glancing over his shoulder at me. “I’m protecting our objects, which is the whole point of this exercise. If you two blow up in an inferno, it’ll defeat the purpose of this test.”

Well, he had me there.

I dipped my chin in subtle acknowledgment, then looked at Kalt. For whatever reason, this guy decided to be best friends with my moody brother. I’d never understand it. But I caught him giving Lance a look now that told him to cool it. My brother just rolled his eyes and turned toward the Spirit Quad with Mortus, Exos, and Cyrus following.

Vox smiled at Ophelia, then guided her toward the Air Quad, where he had classes to lead today.

Sol nodded at River—a Water Fae and my best mate from the Academy—and led him toward the Earth Quad to go help with some classes.

And I started toward the neutral campus area with Kalt. Only, after a few steps, I realized we’d forgotten an important piece.

No, not just important, but the key piece to all of this.

Our queen.

I turned to find Claire looking off in each direction, nibbling her lip. “Come join us in intramural class, sweetheart,” I said softly. “We can play a game of Fae Ball.”

Her blue eyes lit up at the prospect. “I haven’t played that since our Academy days.”