I ignored him, too busy shaking my head back and forth as I laugh-cried at the insanity of this entire situation. It was as if I’d fallen into a wonderland of crazy people with stories and expectations that made no sense. And this bizarre energy that I couldn’t control. It swam around me, urging me to use it, to destroy, to create, to burn.
“Claire!” Titus yelled, his arms wrapping around me. “Stop.”
“Stop what?” I asked on a giggle that sounded maniacal to my ears. The entire world was crashing around me, and he wanted me to, what, relax? Breathe? Focus? Were those the words he was saying? No. It sounded like Exos. In my head. No, my ear. Whatever. I just wanted to hide, to never come out, and ignore everything around me. To disappear.
To leave.
A punch to my gut had me cringing, the power strong and encompassing, yanking me out of my state and back into the present to stare into two glowering blue eyes. Bright with power. Consuming me. Forcing me to yield. To submit. I didn’t understand it, tried to fight it, but the magnetic pull was too great, overwhelming every part of my mind and grounding me in the present. His hands were on my cheeks, bands of muscular steel were around my waist, a hot body pressed to my back.
I blinked several times, confused. When did Exos get here? And why was Titus holding me so tightly?
“That’s it,” Exos breathed, his mouth dangerously close to mine. “Most fae come into their power slowly, but the hex your mo—” He cleared his throat. “You have twenty-one years of pent-up elements slamming into you at once. That you’re even conscious is a miracle. It shows a strength very few possess, a strength I admire. But I need you to use that strength to control yourself, Claire. This volatile behavior is what the Council is afraid of, why they don’t want you to attend the Academy. But I pushed for you to be allowed, have volunteered to train and guard you myself. And I will not fail. Do you understand me?”
Glittering waves. That was what his gaze reminded me of, so intense, so powerful, so alluring. I fell into him as one would an ocean, allowing the tide to pull me under with a force that stole my breath, and found peace beneath the roaring wake. Blissful and dark and mine.
Another strength came from behind in the form of an inferno, jerking me backward as my soul seemed to fight for control over them both.
Exos had asked if I understood.
But I didn’t.
None of this made sense, my mind and body overwhelmed by the dueling sensations and my heart ripping in two. How could I desire two men? Now? Here? In this foreign place?
“She needs sleep,” the fiery one said.
“I know,” Spirit replied. “Guard her?”
“With my life.” A hot vow spoken into my hair.
“I’ll be nearby,” Spirit whispered, warm lips brushing my forehead. “Try to rest, Claire. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow.”
Someone mumbled. Maybe me. I didn’t know, couldn’t grasp the silky strands of reality floating around me. But oh, my ocean was leaving. That peace. I reached for him, hitting air instead, but a breath into my mind put me at ease.
Still there.
Still with me.
Still easing my pain.
My Spirit.
My other half.
The flames dancing inside me cooled, soothed by the presence of yet another, the one who called to the embers of my soul. I stopped trying to decipher the meaning and gave in to the sensation, trusting those around me to keep me afloat, to never let me drown.
“Good night, Claire,” the voice behind me whispered, arms holding me tight. Somewhere in my mind, I noted the lack of clothing, my dress singed into ash around me. But I was too exhausted to verify, too consumed with the need to rest to validate my modesty.
Sleep sounded nice.
Maybe when I awoke, it would be to reality.
Yet somehow I knew this was my life now. My present and future. A fae teetering on the brink of disaster while trying to master elements I couldn’t possibly understand.
I might die here.
But I also might live.
Ugh. Someone had left the heat on too high again. It felt as if I were wrapped up in a scorching blanket, singeing my hairs and leaving a trail of sweat in its wake. This was why I preferred a fan at night, a subtle breeze to help shift the hot air.