Free The Secret Trinity: Reign (Fae-Witch Trilogy, Book 3) by Jenna Bernel Page A

I was being tested by the heavens to see if I could handle it.  The more obstacles that were thrown at me , the stronger I’d become, as if they’re training me from afar.  And the stronger I became, the closer I was to being capable of defeating Liam.  Either that, or I was born as some sort of cosmic joke, my life, a reality television show for the gods.
    “Clay, I know you want to protect me, but you can’t continue to keep things from me.  It’s hard for me to hear about my past and all the pain and turmoil, but it has made me better too.  I feel the more I know and the longer I’m here, the more I am becoming myself and becoming the Trinity Fae .”  I said.  Draping my arm over him to hug his waist, I buried my face deeper into his chest hoping a softer approach would get me a confession, and he kissed t he top of my head in response.
    “You’re right, Ari.  I promise I’ll work on it.  It’s hard for me , when every instinct I have conditioned myself for in the past six years has been about your protection.  I like that everyone is finally getting to see the Ari I know.”
    “Who’s the Ari you know?”  I questioned his statement because we had only known each other in real time for a short while.  Even if we were connected through our souls, I didn’t really understand it, because I couldn’t feel it.  I wondere d how I looked in Clay’s eyes.
    “The Ari I kno w is the special secret Ari, who until recently would only reveal herself to me and her two best friends.  The Ari I know doesn’t let people dump on her and refuses to take their crap , or care too much about what they think of her.  She loves her friends and would do anything to see the ones she cares for happy, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness.  She’s funny, smart, and not to mention, sexy as hell, which makes it difficult for me to control myself when I see her.”  I could feel him smiling int o my hair, hugging me tighter.
    “I would hardly say that you’ve been controlling yourself, Clay, but thank you.”  I said shyly at his flattery , while slowly tracing my finger over the carved out lines of his stomach to see how much restraint he really had.
    “I could go on, but I do n’t want you getting a big head,” h e said hoarsely, and with my head still pressed to his chest , I could feel his heart rate pick up as I moved my fingers gently over his shirt.
    “True, I think your ego is already cramping up this small space.”  I responded mockingly, and he caught my wrist to stop my tracing fingers.  He removed his arm as my pillow and pressed my wrist above my head which forced me to lie on my back.  He grabbed my other wrist and put it above my head too , so my chin tilted up at him , hovering over me only inches from my fa ce.
    I couldn’t really see his eyes, mostly just his massive outline .  H is breathing became rapid, his chest meeting mine with every breath as the weight of his frame pressed into me.  His energy became so intense , he actually started to glow a subtle gold.  It all looked so hazy to me still , like a cloud get ting hit by the sun as it set.
    “What is it, Clay?”  I said , starting to worry.  I tried to move my hand to touch his face, but hi s grip held firm on my wrists.
    “Ari, I...I am...”  He began, and my breath caught in my throat.  I knew he was trying to tell me.  His stilted words became stale as he continued to hold me like I would run away when he did.
    I waited patiently, too afraid to push him to confess, suddenly unsure if I was actually ready to hear this.  I panicked when his glow began to fade, feeling as if the moment was passing.  I arched my back and lifted my head until my lips found his.  He released my wrists and held my face the full athletic weight of his frame pressing into me.  He rolled us until I was on top of him releasing his weight from my chest , and he moved his fingers into my hair pulling me further into his passionate