“Oh yeah. Next time I’m beating you in earnest, Royal Fae.”
“Wait, I thought I was your little king?” I managed to sound hurt. “I mean, here you are, straddling me and all…”
He punched me again for good measure, causing me to laugh as he practically leapt off me. “If I wasn’t exhausted, I’d challenge you again.”
I bounced up to my feet, grinning. “It’s like you’re flirting with me, Titus.”
“For fuck’s sake, man.” Vehemence colored his tone, but he was grinning, too. “Seriously, we’re doing that again.”
“Sure.” I gave him the requisite bow to acknowledge my defeat. “I look forward to it.”
Movement in my peripheral vision showed Mortus backing away as if he’d seen enough—or perhaps he finally sensed what we’d been trying to distract him from.
Claire had found Exos, his location just beneath her feet. And Mortus was already too late. He couldn’t mist, the power purely my own.
But what bothered me more was Elana’s absence.
This seemed like the kind of event she’d try to stop.
Alas, she was nowhere in sight.
Where are you, Chancellor? I wondered. And what have you been up to?
Titus clapped me on the back. “If you ever claim to have mated with Claire to save your brother again, I really will fry you.”
I met his burning gaze with a grin. “Don’t worry, Powerless Champion. Exos would kill me first.”
Exos
Claire’s vitality grew with every step, my spirit soaking her in and allowing it to fuel my being. That was the sustenance I needed. Not food. Not water. Just her. It brought my spirit to the forefront, dousing me in an energy that thrived through my veins.
I’d channeled so much into our bond these last few days, locking onto the frays of our connection and holding desperately to the ends. Now that she was nearing my position, I felt the link strengthening again, remembering the beauty of her presence.
It made me come alive in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.
As soon as she was close enough to touch, I would deepen my hold on her and encourage us to the third level so nothing like this could happen again. Oh, it could still shatter—Ophelia and Mortus had proven that in the harshest ways—but I wouldn’t have to fear time or space deteriorating our connection.
I agree, Claire whispered through my mind, her spirit so attuned to mine that it was as if we were one being now. Part of it stemmed from the energy I’d forced into our bond while begging my mate to find me, but a larger reason for our enhanced connection was Claire acceptance of her fae half.
She felt complete. I could sense it in her spirit, her contentment with grounding all her elements. She may not have meant to bond to the Earth Fae or Vox or Cyrus, but there wasn’t an ounce of regret within her. Not even her human half—the one gaping in horror at the idea of five mates—could overcome her fae mind now.
And I fucking loved it.
You’re close, I murmured, sensing her above me.
Yes. She went silent for a moment, her other elements taking over as she focused. My lips curled as the walls shook around me, Claire using her affinity for earth to manipulate the ancient tombs. A blast of energy—air—shook the foundation above.
Found the door, she said, a hint of pride in her tone.
I felt that. I smiled. Try not to collapse the roof over my head, princess.
Her amusement trickled through her spirit, as did Vox’s astonishment at her display in power. Having such a close connection to the Air Fae was a bit strange, but as a Spirit Fae, I often connected to the auras of others.
But the Earth Fae was very new to me.
Sol.
I only knew his name because of Claire. The power beneath his tough exterior rivaled some of the strongest fae in existence. This must be the fae Elana mentioned that Vox was tutoring in control. Interesting.