“Yes, Miss Aflora?” one of the figments cooed.
“I’m going to need at least three times this selection,” I said. “And don’t forget undergarments, socks, and more shoes. Oh, and wands.”
A chittering sound followed, the gleeful noise echoing in the chamber. “Oh, yes, as the madam requires!”
The room expanded around me, an entire row of clothing appearing as if waiting for my very command. A glass case followed, wands gleaming inside.
Yes, this would do.
I rubbed my hands together.
You all want me to stay here for the indefinite future? Fine. But I’ll be staying in style.
I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. “Thanks for the new wardrobe, Midnight Prince,” I whispered, hoping somehow that message reached his pompous ears.
Zephyrus said I had an hour?
Well, I’d take three.
“Ladies, let’s get started,” I mused to the magical beings.This is going to be fun.
All right.The Midnight Fae Academy uniforms weren’t bad. A lot of black, but my shirts were white.
I finished tying cloak number nine around my neck, testing the weight. All the others were too heavy, the fabric choking me worse than the leather collar around my throat. But this one was made of a light silk and fringed in dark red tones.
Smoothing my hands around it, I twirled, liking the way it feathered around my exposed legs. The Academy skirts were a bit short, hitting me midthigh. Hence, I’d requested some knee-high boots to?—
“Not bad,” a deep voice murmured behind me. “But I personally think you would look better in my family color, which is purple.”
I spun around to find Shade lounging in a chair that didn’t exist a moment ago.
“How did you…? Where did you…? What…?” I shook my head, biting my lip to keep from issuing another unfinished question at the willow stump sitting a few feet away from me.
“The collar is a nice touch. Does that make you my pet?” he asked, pushing to his feet to draw closer. “Or is Kolstov trying to claim what’s mine?” His fingertips brushed the leather around my throat, sending a hum of energy across my skin and eliciting a hiss from his mouth. “Bastard.”
Shade grasped the back of my neck before I could even think to react, pulling my body up against his in a move that stole my breath.
Electricity zipped down my spine from his hold and the rioting device around my throat. It didn’t hurt so much as send an unpleasant sensation across my skin. “Shade…”
“How are you, love?” he asked, walking me backward into a wall. “Are they treating you all right? Apart from the collar, of course.”
Some of my senses started to return as he pressed his body into mine.
Hewas the reason I had to wear a collar.
Becausehehad bitten me against my will.
And now he had the audacity to show up and ask me how I was doing? Like he gave a damn about my feelings?
“Oh, you!” I planted my palms against his chest and tried to shove him away. “You’re the reason I’m in this mess!”
“You seem to be enjoying said mess,” he returned, glancing down at my blouse and black skirt. “Playing fashionista on the royal dime. How fun.”
“Because I need an outfit for the Academy I have to attendbecause of you.” I attempted to push him again, but he didn’t budge an inch.
Instead, he leaned into me more, his hips aligning with mine as he anchored me against the wall. “Still upset, I see.” He drew his nose across my cheek, his breath fanning my face. “Allow me to make it up to you, little darling.”
“Make it up to me?” I repeated, my nails digging into his blazer. “You’ve destroyed my life. Possibly even earned us both a death sentence. There is no living way you could make it up to me, Shadow.” I was panting by the end of my statement, not because of his close proximity or the way his thigh had slid between mine, but because of the anger heating my blood. “I hate you.”
