Aflora stood in the entry, stiff as a board.
“Never been in a man’s room before?” I teased.
Her lips curled down. “I’m not an innocent, Kolstov. I have a boyfriend. It’syourbedroom I don’t want to enter.”
Amusement touched my chest. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart. Maybe you’ll convince us both.”
She snorted. “Are all Midnight Fae as arrogant as you and Shadow?”
“I prefersexyandconfident, at least in the description of myself,” I said, winking at her. “Now which will it be, option one or option two?”
Her blue eyes rolled. “As if I care.”
“Well, option one is across the hall from Ella and Tray, so you’ll probably hear them fucking on occasion. Option two is between both our rooms, which means you’ll get to hear me entertaining as well as Tray and Ella fucking. Therefore, perhaps you’d prefer the second option so you can think of me when you’re alone at night? Picture yourself between my sheets instead of whomever I’ve chosen to indulge that evening?”
Aflora’s full lips parted on a gasp. “What a crude thing to say.”
“Better get used to it,” I replied, crowding her against the wall. “This is my territory, and I won’t be changing my habits just to suit yourprudishways.”
Her nostrils flared. “I’mnota prude.”
“Prove it,” I dared, walking a dangerous line.
A muscle ticked in her cheek as she clenched her teeth. “I don’t need to prove anything to you,” she finally said after a beat, turning on her heel. To my utter shock, she marched off to option two as if to make her point. “I’ll sleep here.”
She opened the door.
And proceeded to slam it behind her.
The shift of her lock echoed in the hallway.
“Well, she has spirit,” a deep voice drawled from the opening of the corridor.
My heart skipped a beat as my one weakness stepped beneath one of the skylights, his striking features glistening beneath the stars.
“Hello, Zephyrus,” I greeted, my confidence seeping from my veins.
“Prince Kolstov,” he returned, formal and direct. “I’ll take the other guest room. Then you and I are going to have a long talk.”
Two hits in one sentence.
Not only was he denying a night in my bed—which we both knew I’d be more than happy to accommodate—but he also wanted to have a discussion.
Discussionswith Guardian Zephyrus never went in my favor.
I should have volunteered myself for the role of introducing Aflora to the Academy rather than allow my father to delegate the task to Zeph. The selfish part of me had rejoiced, while the practical side knew better.
Unfortunately, my selfish half had won.
And now I would pay the price for it.
Finally,something normal.
No snakes or gargoyles or fiery bugs or anything unseemly. Just a standard bedroom equipped with a double bed, a dresser, a small attached bath, and a closet.
Easy.
Elegantly furnished.
