“Can we focus on putting the Academy back together first?” Vox interjected, a breeze floating around him as he landed before us. The Air Fae had developed a knack for flying, one that intrigued me. I still preferred my misting, but I’d never seen a fae manipulate air currents the way this one did.
“What’s the damage?” Exos asked, his expression turning serious.
“Sixteen known deaths. Several dozen injured and recovering.” Vox palmed the back of his neck. “Fighting in the main quad was smart, as it isolated the majority of the damage, but there’s quite a bit of it.”
Exos frowned. “I thought Claire’s date with the source released enough vitality to restore the grounds.”
Vox shook his head. “She rid the Academy of those dark remnants, but the buildings themselves are in bad shape.” He glanced at the oasis. “And, well, what they’re doing right now is revitalizing the agonized earth elements throughout campus. So mating Sol was a good call.”
“She made that choice, not us,” I said, admittedly amused by our little queen’s decision. She truly had blossomed into the epitome of a fae creature, following her elemental heart before her human mind. And I couldn’t be more proud.
“Regardless, it’s helping. But they’re going to need a lot more than earth to restore the Academy.” Vox sounded tired. “We need to work together as a unit.”
“You say that as if it’s a tedious task we can’t handle,” Exos replied, his lips twitching. “I think we’ve proven to perform as quite the unit, yeah? So maybe we should put on a little show for the Academy.”
“Spoken with the arrogance of a king.” I waggled my brows. “When do we start?”
My brother’s smile was infectious. “Right now.” He met Vox’s gaze. “You stand guard for a bit, make sure no one sees our mate in the throes of passion. Titus, Cyrus, and I will go have a play on the Academy grounds.”
“There’s a squadron of Air Fae awaiting orders.” Vox folded his arms. “I’m sure you won’t have any trouble taking command.”
“I think I can handle them,” Exos agreed. “And if not, I’ll give them to Cyrus.”
My lips curled. “Today just keeps getting better and better.”
As if Claire agreed, I felt her ecstasy through the bond, her waves of pleasure stirring goose bumps up and down my arms. Mmm, my little queen. How I adored her climaxes, even the ones not gifted by me.
The pause from the others confirmed they’d felt it, too.
All four of us were aroused by what was happening beneath that World Tree.
It would be so easy to join them, to add our own personal touch to the mix, but Sol had earned this. It was his time with Claire, and none of us would interrupt such a beautiful moment.
“Yeah, a distraction sounds great,” Titus said, breaking the silence. “Let’s, uh, go.”
“Feeling a little hot?” I teased. “Allow me to help with that.”
Mist pebbled across his skin, sizzling beneath his own power. “Not happening, Water Prince,” he gritted out between his teeth.
But I caught the subtle flush to his cheeks.
Oh, this would be fun.
Whether anything would ever come of it remained to be seen. Merely taunting him satisfied me immensely.
But it was Claire whom I adored and loved. If she ever wanted to play, I’d happily indulge her. And despite Titus’s opinions to the contrary, I suspected he’d gladly succumb as well.
Fortunately, we had a long and prosperous future ahead to work out the finer details.
Another rumble of the earth sent us all running ahead on a chuckle.
Until the rumble turned into a quake.
And our Claire screamed.
Directly into our minds.
Claire