“That’s exactly how I feel,” I marveled, relieved he sensed it, too. “Exos says it’s because I’m balanced. Like all my powers are finally aligned, allowing me to see them all clearly.” I created a butterfly in my palm to demonstrate and encouraged it to flutter away with a slight breeze. Only, it turned into a gust that caused me to grimace. “Okay, so not perfect, but you get the idea.”
Sol held out his hand and created a pile of dirt, then threw it at Vox, who was walking several steps ahead of us.
“What the fuck?” Vox snapped, turning around to glare at the giant.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did that hit you?” Sol asked with false innocence.
Vox narrowed his silver-rimmed gaze and sent a gust of wind over Sol’s shoulder, which only seemed to enrage him more.
“You missed,” Sol said, a study in nonchalance.
“Uh, guys…,” I interjected, wanting to steer us back onto the path of finding Exos. With every step, his essence grew closer. This was definitely the right way, even though I had no idea where we were in this field. It was somewhere beyond the enchanted forest, in what Cyrus had called “neutral territory.” Apparently, these lands separated the Academy from all the kingdoms, which left them often vacant and not commonly traversed. Hence the overgrown grass, which really resembled out-of-control weeds.
Another whirl of wind went sailing through the air, knocking me on the shoulder and causing Sol to growl. The earth shook beneath us as he retaliated in kind and sent the Air Fae to his ass.
My eyes widened.
I was used to Vox schooling Sol in powers. Not the other way around.
“I see,” Vox said, jumping up to his feet in a lithe motion and wiping the dust from his pants. “So you get a little control and turn your back on the one who’s been helping you for the last two years. Fine. Maybe I should just go and let you two chatter on about your newfound balance.”
Wow, I’d never heard Vox like this. He sounded so bitter and almost cruel. “Seriously, what is your problem?” I demanded. “Is it because I forced the connection on you?”
I didn’t remember doing it, had no say in my elements trying to save my life, but I could understand that upsetting him. I just hadn’t realized how much it would bother him.
“I mean, I’m sorry. To you both, I mean. I… If I’d known what was going to happen…” Would I change it? I bit my lip. No, my elements all said in unison. No, I wouldn’t change it at all. Which meant my apology really meant nothing because it lacked truth.
Well, this is fun. I wiped my palms against my jeans and stared off into the distance while the two males observed me in silence. Really helpful, guys. Although, yeah, they deserved an explanation. Not that I really had one, but I could at least try.
I cleared my throat, opening my mouth but then closing it, and considered how I wanted to say this.
Then I caught sight of Vox’s irritated expression.
And Sol’s hurt one.
Right.
No more thinking.
“I-I don’t remember what happened,” I started and immediately regretted the words as their faces fell. “But I understand why it happened,” I quickly assured them. That seemed to intrigue them both. “When Exos first brought me down here, I was a mess. He told me fae existed, that I had access to all these elements, things kept happening around me that I didn’t understand, and I kept feeling these inappropriate feelings for multiple men.”
I shivered as I recalled those early days between Titus and Exos, and felt their responding warmth through the bonds.
“It had terrified me,” I admitted. “Where I come from, you don’t date more than one guy. There are actually some pretty horrible names associated with human women who date around. And that’s the world I grew up in.” This was something Cyrus seemed to understand more than the others. He’d made a comment about it before the death fields, one that resonated with me.
“I don’t think you’re a whore, little queen. But I know all about the social standards on Earth and how they’ve programmed your mind.”
He was right.
My upbringing dictated my outlook.
But now that I felt the connections, allowed my fae half to reign while healing my body, I understood.
“Things are different here,” I continued, swallowing thickly. “My feelings for you all are more accepted. And so, it makes sense to me why my elements reached out to you both. My energy recognizes both of you as potential mates, and moreover, I’ve developed a trust with each of you. So in my time of dire need, my elements called to yours.” The connection couldn’t be entirely one-sided—something Cyrus’s bond had taught me. So if Vox and Sol hadn’t craved the link on some level, they wouldn’t have been open to it, and they certainly wouldn’t have reciprocated.
I met Vox’s gaze, noted the closed-off nature of his expression, and sighed. “If you don’t want this, I’ll understand, and we can end our bond after the preliminary time requirement.” Which, I knew, was around a month. “I won’t push you into something you don’t want.” I glanced at Sol. “Either of you.” I pinched my mouth to the side, debating what else to say. “I can’t really apologize because I acted on instincts alone, and, well, I don’t regret it, even if I probably should.”
“You better not,” Sol said, folding strong arms over his muscular chest. “Because I don’t.”