I looked around the familiar room, searching for something, a hint, anything to explain the last few days and why I felt so weak.
Use our connection, Claire, Exos demanded, his royal tones causing my lips to twitch with the familiarity. I’m not far. I feel you. Which means you can feel me. Follow the link. Find me.
I pinched my side, needing to ensure that I was actually awake. Because everything seemed foggy, as if I’d been living underwater for days or weeks.
So strange.
Claire. Exos’s voice sounded strained. Please. I need you to find me.
I will, I vowed, sliding from the bed. I just need to tell the others that I can hear you again. And to confirm that this was real, not a dream.
Cyrus can help, he replied. I can sense his bond, which means he can sense mine.
Bond? I froze with my hand on the doorknob, the memories crashing over me in a wave that left me shaking. Oh, fuck…
I hadn’t just bonded to Cyrus, we’d mated.
And then we fu—
I shook my head, clearing it.
Except that didn’t help at all. Vivid images of how he took my body assaulted my conscious all at once and had my thighs clenching with need despite the orgasm that had awoken me.
I have a serious problem, I decided. I’m addicted to sex.
I’m very much okay with this problem, Exos returned, sounding amused.
That wasn’t meant for you, I said, my cheeks flushing red.
But I heard it anyway. And he didn’t sound at all apologetic about it.
Who else had heard it? Cyrus? Titus? And what else was happening? Is that Sol and Vox? I asked, a tiny shriek in my head. Don’t answer that.
Because I didn’t need him to.
I felt all five of them inside me, their elements soothing mine and replenishing my energy reserves. Something had happened that caused me to establish connections to all of them. I just couldn’t remember what brought me to that point.
I definitely recalled the outcome, though. All the nights and mornings and days in bed with Cyrus. The petting. The kissing. The pleasure.
It made no sense. I hated him.
And yet, deep down, I cared for him.
Talk about a conundrum. My emotions were all over the place, yet my elements had never felt more stable. For once, I actually felt a semblance of control. Like my powers were finally grounded and just awaiting my command.
Claire, baby, I love that you’re finally embracing your fae half, but I need you to find me, Exos urged. Please.
Right. I could play with these sensations later.
For now, I needed to focus on Exos and how to locate him. Which required a better understanding of how to track the link.
I closed my eyes to envision my connections—all five of them.
Insanity, I marveled while prodding each one tentatively. Four were in a cluster, suggesting them to be nearby. The fifth was close, but not with the others.
You’re not far, I whispered to him. But I don’t recognize the land you’re in.
Show Cyrus. He’ll help.