“He’s alive?” Some of the fight had left her posture and tone.
“Clearly, you’re useless to me,” I surmised, irritated.
“She’s new to all of this,” Titus replied, his jaw clenched so tightly the words came out stilted. “Have some compassion.”
I laughed. “Is that what this coddling behavior is called? How quaint.”
Claire growled, the sound adorably erotic coming from her mouth. “You’re an asshole.”
“Fuck,” Titus breathed, looking heavenward. “Please, she doesn’t understand our—”
“Is she incapable of owning her own actions?” I wondered out loud. “Is that why you continue to speak and apologize on her behalf?”
Emerald fire glowed in the depths of Titus’s gaze. “She’s my mate.”
“That’s clear,” I replied flatly, the depth of their connection heavy in the air. “I asked why you continue to treat her as an insignificant fae who can’t speak for herself.”
“If Exos is alive, then where is he?” Claire cut in, her eyebrows arched in challenge. “I can’t feel him, even though you say I should be able to, so where is he?”
“That’s precisely why I’m here, little queen.” I cocked my head to the side. “And you’re the only one who can answer that question.”
“How?”
“By finding your spirit.” What the hell had my brother been teaching her all these weeks? How to fucking cry?
She held my gaze, the action unprecedented. “You can feel him.”
This was growing tiresome. “Have you not been listening to a word I’ve said?”
“I’ve heard every damn one,” she snapped, the tone one I wasn’t accustomed to hearing from a female. “I want you to tell me that you can feel him.”
“Of course I can. He’s my damn brother.” I took a step forward, ignoring the tensing Fire Fae at her side, and grabbed her chin. “And he’s your fucking mate. So honor him well, little queen, and find him.”
She shook off my hold with a glower. “You’re nothing like him.”
I snorted. “Three weeks ago, I would have disagreed wholeheartedly. But seeing how weak he’s allowed you to be has me wondering otherwise.”
“Get out of my room.” She pointed to the door. “Now.”
Titus appeared to be readying himself for a fight. It would be one he’d lose, but male fae were protective of their mates. Hence, my current location.
Fucking Exos.
“Get dressed and meet me in the living room. You have five minutes before I come back in here and carry you out—naked or not.” I allowed my eyes to roam over her once more, this time in a slow perusal that caused her skin to flush in the wake of my gaze. “Well, at least you offer my brother something for his trouble.”
“Out!” she shouted, scrambling for the sheets.
I chuckled and left her growling obscenities behind me. Exos would be furious when he found out, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was his safe return, and someone needed to rouse the spoiled princess from her worthless emotions.
The three fae I’d stormed past in the living area all leapt up and knelt again, causing me to shake my head. “You’re supposed to be her guardians?” Pathetic.
“No, Sire,” the Air Fae replied, his lean, athletic form rising from the ground first. “Prince Exos requested I mentor her air abilities, but I haven’t agreed yet. Sol is one of my other mentees, and River is a friend of Titus’s.”
“And your name?” As he appeared to be the most important of the fae in this room, I wanted to know his identity. It would help me discern why Exos had entrusted him with Claire’s safety.
“Vox,” he replied.
Ah, yes. “You’re a royal descendant.” And one of the top students in his class. Exos had mentioned him briefly.