by Lexi C. Foss
“You do that in my dreams already,” she pointed out even while her cheeks blossomed into a beautiful shade of pink. “Nothing new there.”
“Mmm.” I drew my nose across her pretty flush until my lips hovered a scant breath away from hers. “Who said anything about dreams?” I pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of her mouth—the only place I’d allowed myself to truly kiss her outside of her mind. “I’m in your room, Aflora. Right now. Right here. None of this is a dream, and I will absolutely tease you with my tongue on that freshly made bed. Just say the word, pixie flower.”
She shivered, her arousal scenting the air in a sultry aroma I longed to taste.
But I wanted to prove myself first.
And for that, I needed Clove.
With a lingering kiss to the same place as before, I released her, grabbed her hand, and tugged her into the hallway without another word.
If we stayed in her room for a second longer, I’d forget all about my task and make undressing Aflora my sole priority. But she wasn’t ready yet, and I refused to push her more than I already had.
“You still have your wand, right?” I asked her.
She waved it in response, her knuckles white from clasping the end of it so harshly.
I smirked, understanding why. She’d been teased all week and desired a climax, one I would give her if things went well later.
Clove hadn’t moved from her perch on the recliner, her feathers smoothed back and her eyes alert. She watched me with a similar wariness to her master’s, confirming everything I already knew about Aflora’s confidence in me.
“Raph isn’t here,” I assured both of them. “Last I saw him, he was sleeping in my closet on a bed of shirts he’d taken off the racks.” He was a dick like that and enjoyed creating nests out of my clean clothes.
Clove bristled at our approach, her dark eyes narrowing at me.
I let go of Aflora’s hand and stepped away from her slowly before holding out my palm for the falcon to sniff. She didn’t budge, her displeasure evident.
“You’re going to have to get used to me,” I murmured. “I’m one of Aflora’s mates.”
This didn’t seem to placate Aflora’s familiar. If anything, she appeared even more anxious.
I tried for a different tactic and kneeled before her, making myself appear inferior, then held out my palm again. “I’m sorry for our first introduction. I promise not to harm you again.”
If Kols saw me right now, apologizing to a bird, he’d lose his shit. But this wasn’t about the falcon. It was about Aflora.
I had hurt her.
For us to move forward, she needed to see that I knew how to apologize properly. Which required me to get this falcon to essentially forgive me.
Clove tilted her head slightly, her intelligent gaze on my hand.
She shifted forward and snagged my fingers with her beak, biting down hard enough to warn without breaking the skin.
I didn’t move.
I didn’t even flinch.
Instead, I continued to stare at her. “If you need to exact blood, then fine. I’ll give it.” Mostly because one taste would tell her who I was to her master and she’d immediately release me.
“Don’t,” Aflora said, talking to Clove. “Zeph is… a friend.”
Just a friend? I nearly asked her, amused. But I kept quiet, allowing her to run the show. It was what the situation necessitated.
Clove slowly released my hand, her gaze flicking affectionately to Aflora.
“Yeah, I like her, too,” I admitted softly.
The falcon let out a gentle caw that I interpreted to mean she approved, so I slowly reached out to touch one of her plumes. She didn’t react or try to bite me again, which was a good sign. She even leaned into my touch a little, allowing me to win her over with a few gentle strokes down her wings.
I glanced at Aflora to see her staring at me in surprise. “What?”
“You… you…” She shook her head. “Never mind.”
“Surprised your falcon forgave me?” I asked her.
“No. I’m surprised you said you liked me. I’m pretty sure you implied the opposite just a few weeks ago.”
I frowned. “I never said I disliked you.”
“No, you’re right,” she said, her blue eyes flickering with fire. “You called me pitiful, like Clove.”
I flinched. “I was trying to teach you a lesson.”
“That you have to kill to protect yourself. I remember.”
We were never going to move past this if she wouldn’t allow it. And I could only apologize so much.
I sat back on my heels and stared at her. “The Midnight Fae world isn’t like your Elemental Fae one, Aflora. I’m only trying to prepare you for survival, something I’m going to take even more seriously now that our souls are tied together.”
“I already said I could try unbinding us.”
“And I already told you no,” I snapped, irritated that she’d even think to bring it up again. “If you release us, you’ll implode.”
“That’s not really your concern, is it?” she retorted.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Aflora. It is my concern. I’m a Warrior Blood. It’s literally my job to guard and protect.” I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed. “At some point, I vowed to keep you safe. I can’t say when it happened, but I suspect it was shortly after we met. I claimed you before I allowed myself to realize it.”
I really didn’t know what else to say to convince this female that all I ever wanted was to help her survive. Maybe I’d been hard on her, but I didn’t know any other way. Warrior Bloods weren’t exactly known for their gentle touch.
She stared at me for another long, hard moment. Then looked at Clove. “What was it you needed to check?”
Part of me admired her for yanking us back to the important topic at hand. The other part was disappointed because it left our conversation unfinished, and I was really tired of her holding the past against me. We couldn’t move forward if she continued to hate me for what I’d allowed Raph to do to Clove.
Rather than harp on it, I followed her lead, knowing full well we’d return to this topic again soon.
“We need to see if she has any energy strands circling her,” I replied. “If someone enchanted her, their signature would be left behind for a few hours.”
“And if someone didn’t?” she asked.
I shifted my focus to Clove. “There really aren’t many options. It could be a coincidence, which I doubt. Or someone asked her to take it to you as a message.”
“Fae can do that?”
“Fae that are close to you in some way, like a mate.” I almost wanted to suggest that Shade could have done it, but I knew that was impossible considering he was at the Council meeting and had been clearly shocked by the stonepecker on the table. He also wouldn’t have popped in to warn us if he wanted to set up Kols.
“Close to me,” she repeated. “Like a mate… or family?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, I think a family member could call a familiar.” I studied Clove, searching for any traces of magic. Most fae wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave visible evidence, but it was worth checking.
Unfortunately, I saw nothing.
“You’ll need to do a tracing spell,” I told her. “Or I can do it, if you prefer.” I glanced at her, expecting her to agree to the former.
However, she surprised me by saying, “You do it. I’ll watch and learn.” My face must have registered some shock, because she added, “If you hurt her, I’ll make you eat a burning thwomp.”
“You seem really fond of the notion of eating burnt wood,” I replied. “It’s making me question Elemental Fae diets.”
“Ha. Ha.” She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of amusement teasing her lips. “Go on and test her for energy strands.”
I grinned. “Then afterward, I’ll make you some fire gnat juice.”
“Or another dragon steak,” she offered.
�
�Or that,” I agreed, winking. Then I took out my wand and gave Clove my undivided attention. “Let’s see who sent you, shall we?”
Chapter Seventeen
Kols
What a fucking night.
I blew out a disgruntled breath as I entered my suite, expecting to see the whole thing shredded to hell and pausing upon discovering the pristine interior awaiting my entry.
“They cleaned,” Tray explained from the couch, catching my confusion. He had a content Ella snuggled up against him, her head pillowed against his shoulder. “Zeph and Aflora are actually in your room finishing up, and there are some leftovers on the stove, if you want any.”
He had an empty plate on the table, suggesting he’d just finished eating. As he’d only left about thirty minutes ahead of me, that timing made sense.
“I’m not hungry,” I admitted, still riled up and pissed off from the bullshit the Council had thrown at me.
The only reason they hadn’t locked me up for observation was because of Aflora. My father had argued that I needed to be on campus with her to continue her monitoring. Others had suggested she be locked up with me. Then he’d reminded them of my role as future king and the importance of completing this task for my upcoming ascension.
It was all a fucking mess.
And I really just wanted to take a damn nap.
Tray nodded in understanding, then kissed Ella on the forehead, holding her close. “I’ll put the leftovers in the fridge for you,” he said.
“Thanks,” I muttered, meaning it despite my gruff tone. “I’m going to go make sure Zeph hasn’t rearranged my room.”
“Good idea.” He returned his focus to the blonde in his arms, his palm cupping her cheek as he angled her face upward to receive his kiss.
I had spent the last three and a half years envying him and his ability to choose. Not that I’d ever admitted it out loud. My destiny was to serve the crown, a future I’d taken seriously and devoted my entire life to fulfill.
However, tonight the Council rewarded my fealty with an unwarranted accusation followed by a search of my private quarters, all to hunt for evidence that didn’t exist.
No one had believed my innocence.
Not even my father.
After everything I’d given up for those assholes, they’d refused to take me at my word.
And that fucking burned.
I yanked on the knotted tie at my throat and started down the hallway to my room, only to pause on the threshold at the sight of Aflora giggling. She sat cross-legged on my rug with a plate in her lap, while Zeph stood over her with his hands on his hips.
“Seriously, I’m going to start feeding you bark,” he was saying. “Maybe topped with some charcoal blades.”
“Is that what it’s called?” she asked. “The black grass in the fields?”
He snorted. “Yeah, that’s not grass, pixie flower.”
“Well, I know. It’s sharp and brittle and… charcoal-y.”
His lips twitched. “Hence the name—charcoal blades.”
Her nose scrunched upward. “I’m not eating that.”
“Yet you’ll eat a leafy salad patty monstrosity with mussleberries.”
“They’re mouseberries,” she corrected him. “And yes, I would eat that.” She held up her plate. “Please.”
“I’ve already fed you dragon steak and the other version of salad patty. If you want more, you can make it yourself.”
I leaned against the doorjamb, entertained by this entire exchange. But my movement drew both their eyes to me and caused Aflora to jump up off my rug and onto her feet. “Oh! You’re back.”
“I am.” I tucked my hands into my pockets and glanced around my room. “Seems like you did a good job cleaning.”
“Figments,” Aflora said quickly. “Zeph made figments. We were just making sure it’s all sorted. So, uh, looks good. I’ll leave you two to it, then.” She started toward the door, and I moved to block her exit.
“I’m nearly arrested for an explosion at the Academy, and you’re going to leave me with a ‘looks good’?” I arched an eyebrow at her. “Seriously?”
Zeph came up behind her, effectively caging her between us. She lifted the plate to her chest like that would be able to protect her.
“Um.” She bit her lip, considering. “I’m glad you’re okay. We know you didn’t do it. Oh, and Clove had no magical ties that Zeph could find. So we’re not sure who gave her the stonepecker or where she found it, but we’re pretty sure it was done on purpose to set you up. It’s a good thing Shade stopped by to warn us about the search.”
That was a hell of a lot of information in a handful of seconds. I gaped at Zeph. “Stonepecker?”
“Yeah. Aflora’s familiar brought it to her as a gift and dropped it in her lap. We’re guessing it’s how the culprit entered the Academy grounds, but I had to destroy it because of the Warrior Bloods.”
Of course. “What about my other things?” I asked him, knowing he’d interpret my question.
He jerked his chin at the closet. “Sir Kristoff did his job.”
I nodded. “Good.”
Aflora’s brow creased. “I thought Sir Kristoff took the night off?”
I grunted and put my hands on her hips to walk her backward into my Guardian’s chest, then kicked my door closed behind me. “Sir Kristoff doesn’t take time off,” I said, releasing her to Zeph. He promptly wrapped his arms around her, knowing I didn’t want her to leave. The two of them watched as I walked over to my closet. As soon as I opened it, the gargoyle in question came strolling out with my box.
“Here you go, My Prince,” he drawled, holding it up for me.
“Thank you, Sir Kristoff,” I murmured. “You’re excused.”
He bowed and disappeared into a white cloud of dust, his trademark exit.
“Now he’s taking the night off?” Aflora guessed.
“No, he’s gone back to the front door,” I replied, my focus on the box in my hands. I opened it to check the contents inside and nodded. “All here.”
“Then the gargoyle did his job,” Zeph murmured.
I nodded. “He did.”
“What’s in the box?” Aflora asked, unusually bold tonight. Or maybe she was just getting more comfortable with us, in which case, I approved.
“Your real collar and a few other items I don’t want the Council to know about.” Such as the photo of her parents from Sol.
I went to my closet to return the container to the rightful place, one Sir Kristoff knew about so he could hide it again should the need arise.
While my father commanded the kingdom, the gargoyle’s allegiance belonged to me. I’d seen to that minor detail the day I started attending the Academy. It was an easy task, mostly because I treated Sir Kristoff with respect and listened to his requests. A few negotiations later and his loyalty was mine.
“My real collar?” Aflora asked, touching the thin leather around her throat. “I thought that’s what Zeph put on me before the guards came for me last week.”
I met his gaze over her head, wondering if he wanted to explain it or if I should. He gave a subtle nod for me to go ahead.
“This isn’t the collar from the Council,” I said softly, stepping in front of her again. I lifted my finger to the leather encircling her neck and traced it along her throat. “Remember how there were two before?”
She nodded. “I destroyed one in the LethaForest.”
“Yes. So Zeph and I created a new one to replace it, but we had to make it match the one from the Council. We added a temporary enchantment to mask your powers—specifically, your Quandary Blood abilities—and also created a concealment charm to hide our bonds to you. It was done hastily, but it worked.”
I pressed my thumb to the side, near her pulse, and unsnapped the leather to bring it away from her neck to see it.
“The spells have slowly worn off over the last week, bringing the concealment to a dull thrum that should only be protecting our bonds, not dimini
shing your power. Have you felt it weakening?” I asked her softly.
She frowned at the item in my hand. “I hadn’t thought much of it after that initial zing.”
“I imagine that hurt,” I replied, regretful. “But we didn’t know what else to do, and there wasn’t time to explain.”
“So you never put the real collar on me.”
I shook my head. “No. Just touching it zaps all the energy right out of me. I can’t imagine what it would do around your neck.” Which was precisely why I’d never make her wear it.
Zeph bent down to kiss her freshly exposed skin, his eyes holding mine the entire time. I read the message in his depths, just as I noted her sharp inhale.
“Oh,” she breathed, her lashes fluttering a little. “I… I didn’t realize they were… different.”
I set her collar off to the side and returned to brush my knuckles down her flushed cheek. “The primary purpose of that collar is to hide your connection to me and Zeph.” I showed her the band around my wrist. “Zeph and I have to wear these, or others will sense the mating claim. Shade doesn’t need one since everyone already knows he bit you.”
“I think we can remove them for a bit,” Zeph mused, his lips still at her neck. “Assuming we’re all staying here for the next few hours.”
My lips curled. “I think we’re staying here for a while.”
Aflora swallowed, her pupils darkening. “Are you going to bite me again?”
“Do you want us to?” I countered, removing the cuff around my wrist and setting it beside her collar. Zeph held out his for me to add to the pile, then grabbed her hips to hold her between us as I returned to my position in front of her.
“Do you, uh, need blood again?” she asked.
“Not really, no. I had a shake just yesterday.”
“A shake?” Her brow furrowed. “You call humans ‘shakes’?”
I smirked. “No. I mean a literal milkshake. Tray and Ella make them all the time instead of feeding on mortals.”
“They do?”
“You’ve never noticed?” I countered, arching a brow. “Ella has a protein shake flavored with blood every evening.”