High Fae Academy - Year Three: Paranormal Fae Romance Read online

  High Fae Academy

  Year Three

  Copyright Belongs to Kaylin R. Peyerk

  Chapter One

  I finally find my voice. “Gods, Rowan, would you stop it already?”

  He turns and moves to stand at my side. The others are surrounding Lucien, and I can’t help but feel like this is some kind of standoff. Are we on separate sides now? Since when? This is exactly what I wanted to avoid. My plan is to end the war through peaceful negotiation, at least to band the light fae together. After escaping like I did from the dark fae academy, I’m not sure that dark Lucien will be easy to sway.

  The energy coming off the male beside me makes my head spin. Does he always feel like this? Unbearable? Undeniable? The glow on his skin looks exactly like his magic form did, a celestial golden hue. Perhaps he’s not only the king of all fae, but a true god as well. I’ve never seen gold magic before. It’s certainly not connected to any of the elements.

  “Can you tone it down or something?” I say, waving my hands at his body.

  Rowan laughs, and the sound is melodious enough to take my breath away. He brings one large hand up to rub my hair, and I push him away, miffed. He’s acting like I’m a whining child. But he does as he’s told, dimming the magic and pulling it back within himself. Now he looks like a normal, if not massive, fae male. He holds out his hand toward Lucien, still smiling.

  “It seems my queen doesn’t like it when we fight. I apologize for being a bit of a brute. Shake on it?”

  Lucien eyes his hand speculatively before glancing at me. I use my eyes to silently plead with him, and he seems to understand my conveyed message. They shake, but the grip looks tight and painful. The alliance between the two will be fragile at best. Stress builds behind my eyes with the thought already. I don’t need one more thing to worry about.

  “Your queen?” Damon asks.

  I roll my eyes and step between everyone, pushing against their muscular chests. It’s time for them to stop having a giant pissing match. Plus, this isn’t even about Rowan’s power, it’s about who has a claim on me. Which, I might add, is not up to them. This entire situation is ridiculous, and I’m going to make them realize it.

  “Just stop! No one here holds a claim on me. Act like adults, goddamn it.”

  The men step back from my touch, and Damon looks away, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. Rowan looks less than apologetic as he possessively glares toward the others. It incites my irritation, and I slap his chest. His gaze meets mine in response, and his face softens into a smile. The action melts my anger and I sway toward him before stopping myself again. Damn. This is going to become a problem.

  “Let’s go rest for the day and gather again in the morning,” Lucien says, holding a hand out to me. “We’re all just tired.”

  I take it and allow him to pull me to his side. The moment my body connects with his, calming energy floods my chest, making me sigh in relief. His doppelganger paled in comparison to this feeling. Octavius falls into step beside us, as does Rowan while the others trail behind. An uncomfortable silence fills the air, and I almost cringe at how badly this reunion is going. Is Rowan really the entire reason for the awkwardness? Probably. He is their ancient king.

  Once we get back onto campus, the other masters express farewells before retreating to their own living quarters. Octavius and Rowan stay with us until we get to the spirit dorm, still in awkward and uncomfortable silence. Lucien glances down at me after stopping in front of the door, and his look is pretty clear: Get rid of them! You know they can’t come in here. Well, he’s going to be very upset when he finds out that the two men beside me are also spirit fae. Or, at the very least, hold the genes in their blood. I step away from him and open the door, allowing both Rowan and Octavius in first. Lucien's expression darkens before he too storms into the building. The tension in the air almost makes me slam the door and run screaming in the opposite direction.

  The men stop in the living room, standing as far from each other as they can. The sight makes me smile. Do they even realize how ridiculous they're acting? Probably not. It reminds me of something Rowan had once joked about. Territorial fae males. The memory makes me giggle, and their attention to snaps toward me.

  “Ah, well. Thankfully there’s two extra rooms available for you guys so make yourselves at home. I’m still tired and weak from being held captive for so long, so I’m going to shower and sleep.” I pause as both Rowan and Lucien step toward my door. “Alone.”

  And I slip inside before either of them can protest my request. To be completely honest, my body longs for Lucien's spirit energy, and denying that request feels like a crime when he’s right outside this door willing to give it. At the same time, giving in feels wrong with Rowan breathing down my neck. Ugh. When did this all get so complicated and messy?

  Chapter Two

  Later that night, I’m still lying in bed, unable to sleep. Feeling all their spirit energy so close to me, but still so far away, is making me crazy. Would it be wrong to sneak over to Lucien’s bed after denying him earlier? He wouldn’t mind either way, right? Just as the thought crosses my mind, my bedroom door opens, and Rowan fills the frame.

  “What are you doing here?” I whisper.

  He raises an eyebrow while closing the door behind him. “You’ve been screaming your thoughts at me all night. Now move over, I can’t sleep if you can’t.”

  My cheeks flush, but I do as I’m told. Rowan climbs into the bed and lies down to face me, leaving us only inches apart. His eyes glow in the darkness, radiating the same ethereal glow from earlier. I had originally thought that it was only due to being newly released from the binding ball, but he might just be that powerful. He brings his hand up to cup my cheek, and a vibrant soothing energy floods me, instantly making my eyelids droop.

  “Why are you so nervous with me all of the sudden?” he asks quietly.

  “Everything is different now,” I reply while trying to keep my eyes open.

  He pulls me into his chest, giving me even more of his energy. My body takes over, forcing my eyes to close, and a delighted hum comes from my throat. As always, I don’t even have the good sense to be embarrassed by my reaction. I’m beginning to learn that fae lovers—or whatever we are—are allowed to feel and react in anyway they’d like. The other won’t bat an eye. There’s no judgement here. I’m not even sure they know the definition of it.

  I’m drifting off when I hear his faraway whispered response.

  “Not for me.”

  ***

  The next morning, I wake up alone. The bed feels cold and lonely without Rowan in it, but I’m also grateful that he left before everyone got up and moving. It’d be hard to explain to Lucien why Rowan had ended up in my bed instead of him. I’m not even sure I’d have the chance to explain, as he prefers to brood silently instead of ask questions directly. It’s infuriating.

  The smell of cooking floats under the door. My stomach growls in response, forcing me to jump up and out of bed. Before going out, I step up to the mirror to smooth down my wayward hair and pinch color into my cheeks. The raised pink scars around my wrists make me frown. Adrian had healed me as much as he could, but I guess it wasn’t enough to get rid of the marks. Will I have them for the rest of my long fae life as a constant reminder of the wrong Lucien? Gods, I hope not.

  Banishing the thought, I crack open my bedroom door to see Octavius flipping a pancake in the air while whistling. The others aren’t out in the common area yet, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Despite the obvious love and strong attraction I have for both of the men, having them here together is exhausting.
Octavius is like a living tension reliever for me, and I suspect that he will continue to be for the duration of his stay. It doesn’t hurt that he’s just as beautiful as the other males surrounding me. He spots me lurking and smiles.

  “Good morning, sunshine! Take a seat. I’ll get you some coffee; you look like hell.”

  I laugh. “Ah, thanks for that.”

  He slides a cup across the counter to me, along with cream and sugar, which I add liberally. We sit in comfortable silence as I observe him cooking breakfast. It still amazes me when I see these fae doing normal things like cooking. For some reason, the possibility of them completing normal tasks baffles me. Although, I suppose I’m officially a part of the fae world if I’m going to become their queen.

  “So, what’s the plan now? More sneaking around defeating ice ogres with Beth?” he teases.

  I sit up in my seat. “Beth! Gods, I forgot about her!”

  Lucien speaks up from behind us. “Ice ogres?”

  I turn in my seat to find him grinning at me, his hair mussed with sleep. “Yeah, I went floor by floor looking for Rowan when I was trapped at the dark fae academy,” I say. “One of the floors held the winter solstice ballroom, which was guarded by an ice ogre.” I pause, shooting a look at Octavius. “And I didn’t defeat it. All I did was melt it a bit to give me and Beth time to escape.”

  “This story gives me the sense that you have a lot more experience with your powers now,” he says while summoning the coffee pot toward him.

  Octavius chuckles. “Yes, we battled wendigos on our way through the Earth kingdom. She was quite a sight with those fire swords of hers.”

  Lucien’s eyes widen at the mention of the wendigos, but he says nothing. Has he battled them before as well? And, if so, did he put them out of their misery? I hope so. The sight of those poor human vessels being used for something so evil sickened me. Even remembering what their destroyed bodies looked like sends a shiver of repulsion down my spine.

  “Ugh. Let’s not talk about it. If I never encounter another wendigo in my life, I’ll be grateful.”

  Lucien rubs my back. “I know, it must have been hard for you to see those humans in such a state.”

  A smile comes to my face at his keen sense of the situation, which reminds me how much he’s really gotten to know me over the past few months. Rowan just came into my life—well, sort of. He’s always known me, but I haven’t always known him, at least not consciously.

  A door bangs open behind us and I glance back to see Rowan stretching into the air, his glorious chest bare for all to see. A flush stains my cheeks and I quickly look anywhere but at him. Lucien notices my reaction and rolls his eyes before facing forward again. Rowan drops into the chair beside me and grins when Octavius slides him a plate stacked high with sticky, syrup-filled pancakes.

  Without another thought, Rowan digs in, shoveling the food in as if he hasn’t eaten in years, and I suppose he hasn’t. It makes me wonder whether or not he experienced food with me in my body, or if he looked on longingly through my eyes. Why do I have so many questions now that he’s out of my body? None of it matters anymore. At least not right now when so much has to be done before the dark fae strike back. I know that dark Lucien won’t let it go.

  “After breakfast I want to meet with everyone. I have a plan. Well, sort of. And it doesn’t include any fighting.”

  “I’m all ears,” Rowan says around a mouthful of food.

  Lucien tsks in distaste. “Right, I’ll let the others know.”

  Octavius drops plates in front of everyone before sliding into a seat next to Rowan. Breakfast is eaten in the same stoic silence as yesterday, draining any previous easygoing energy from the room. Octavius and I make strangled eye contact, both of us feeling suffocated by the male testosterone hazing the room. It’s going to be the death of me, and as soon as I’m done with breakfast, I shoot up in my chair.

  “All right! Let’s get a move on.”

  The others rise without comment, and Rowan steps up to the sink to wash the dishes, surprising me. He’s a king, and yet, he volunteers himself for dishes?

  Is it really so impressive?

  I roll my eyes. No.

  He chuckles, and Lucien looks between the two of us, a frown playing on his features. The look makes me turn away to hustle into my room to get dressed. Instead of wearing my uniform, I throw on jeans and my favorite sweatshirt. It’s old, the band logo is peeling, and there are holes in the elbows, but it has sentimental value. It used to be my dad’s, after all.

  Everyone is waiting for me by the door when I come out, hopping on one foot while pulling my sneakers on. Rowan looks over my outfit but says nothing before grasping my hand to pull me close. He’s wearing jeans and a plain black tee shirt, but the gold earrings are still in his ears. He looks handsome in both casual and fantastical clothing, good to know. I smile up at him but shake my hand out of his to walk alone. Lucien smirks while holding open the door, and Rowan seems to growl at him as we pass through. I roll my eyes before spotting Beth leaning against the wall outside.

  “Beth!” I say while rushing forward. “Where did you stay last night?”

  She smiles, showing off her sharp canines. “Fiora gave me a room in the main building. I’ll be moving to the vampire dorms soon after my entrance paperwork is done.”

  “Ah, I’m so glad you’ll be going to school here. But I won’t be in class, not for a while at least.” We walk together, leaving the males to trail behind.

  She shrugs, bumping me with her hip. “I know. You’ve got queenly things to do. It’s cool. Just don’t forget who helped you escape the dark fae.”

  We laugh, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders. This easygoing conversation is just what I need after navigating the bomb field that is the spirit fae dorm. Once the main building comes into view, we spot the others waiting by the entrance. Orin waves, smiling brightly at us. Everyone is in comfortable clothing today, signaling that they’re ready to settle in to hear everything about my stay with the dark fae.

  Will they be upset to learn the truth? Will they deny it? Resent it? Accept it? There’s no way to know. The thought makes me glance back at Octavius to find him smiling while chatting easily with Rowan, a stoic Lucien walking by his side. I wonder if Octavius is okay with me telling the masters of my experiences with the dark fae, especially about the otherworld. Maybe I’ll hold that tidbit back until we discuss it.

  “Hey guys! Sleep well?” Orin says, grinning.

  He knows full well how much tension is between the two kings, and yet he still pokes the bear. I shove his shoulder as I pass, and he chuckles. Damon falls into step beside me, as does Adrian. We exchange good mornings, but they don’t attempt to touch me as the kings did. It’s a relief. Are they no longer interested? Does it matter? Clearly my heart beats for the two knuckleheads behind me, and not for the masters by my side. My chest aches at the realization that I'll have to talk to each of them. To let them go, and soon.

  All of us ride up to the top floor together, the masters chatting amongst themselves while Beth makes faces at me. I laugh when she gestures to Lucien and Rowan, who are staring daggers at each other, constantly at odds. It makes me feel bad for what I’m about to suggest to everyone. It may even destroy anything we have, but it’s impossible to avoid.

  At least that’s what I believe.

  Chapter Three

  Fiora meets us in the main apartment, a full spread of snacks and breakfast food before us. Despite having eaten before we came, my mouth waters at the sight of fruit, and I rush forward to fill a bowl with pineapple and blueberries. The others grab food too, except for Beth. She’s holding a goblet that I’m sure is full of something I don’t want to think about.

  “I’m so glad you’re back here with us, Tiana,” Fiora says.

  “I’m glad I’m back and that I don’t have to pretend anymore. It was getting a bit exhausting.”

  She nods. “I’m sure it was. Care to fill us in on the weeks you we
re away?”

  I nod and launch into my explanation while urging Beth and Octavius to jump in when needed. The masters sit on the edge of their seats, listening raptly to every word coming out of our mouths. It takes nearly two hours to tell all the stories, and they stop us for details and questions multiple times. The only thing I leave out is my trip to the otherworld with Octavius, and he doesn’t bring it up either. In the end I slump back into my seat.

  Rowan leans forward. “You met Julius?”

  “Yes, he’s quite powerful, and intuitive.”

  He nods, a faraway look in his eyes as he sits back in his chair. I’m sure there are hundreds of years of history there. Julius said they’re practically twins, two sides of the same coin, but different sides, nonetheless. That’s a whole host of information I’m dying to sink my teeth into, but I’m sure that Rowan won’t want to talk about it.

  “So, you have the allegiance of the Earth kingdom in your quest for peace,” Fiora says. “That’s unexpected, but a great next step. I’m sure I’m not the only one that will tell you the other kings will be much less interested in your proposal.” Fiora taps her chin.

  “That brings me to my plan,” I say, pausing to rub my hands down my thighs to get rid of the nervous sweat. “I don’t think I’m enough to convince the fae kings, so we have to present ourselves as a united front.”

  “Of course, my dear,” Fiora says, smiling. “We all stand behind you.”

  “While I appreciate that, it’s not what I meant. I believe Rowan and I should present ourselves as fated mates, and the rightful high king and queen of all fae realms.”

  The room is silent for so long that a crimson blush climbs up my throat to touch the roots of my hair. Even Rowan himself appears to be taken aback by my statement, his mouth dropped open, forming a perfect O. It would be funny if the two of us were the only ones in the room, but I can feel Lucien staring at me from his place at my side. I don’t meet his gaze. Does that make me a coward?