“It’s not old,” I countered. “It’s very fresh and new andwrong.”
His arm flexed against mine, the rope tying his left limb to my right limb tightening with the movement. There was another band of magic around our torsos, gluing my right side to his left side. Every time he breathed, I felt the strap pull against my chest.
This would have been intimate with anyone else.
With Shade, it only made me want to kill him.
But we were forbidden from drawing our wands.
Not that I knew how to use mine anyway. Today’s class had consisted of a series of insane tasks involving conjuring deathly objects like skulls and bones andhearts.
As Shade had predicted, I failed every task.
Mostly because I refused to try. Playing with the dead went against every principle I possessed as an Earth Fae. I conjured life, not death.
Shade, however, excelled in a frightening manner. Each spell he uttered resulted in perfection, his aura an essential cloak of darkness. If only I could turn him into a ghost and make him disappear.
“Look, if I promise to tutor you, will you stop acting like a brat?” he asked, his genuine tone almost comical.
Except his words had me seeing in shades of red.
“You are the absolute last fae in all the realms I’d seek tutoring from. And I amnotacting like a brat.”
“That entire statement was the definition ofbrat, Aflora,” he replied, sounding tired. “I’m the best conjurer in this Academy. Hell, I’m one of the best, period. Saying no to my tutoring offer is both impractical and stupid. You’re only denying me because you’re mad at me. Hence, brat-like behavior.”
“Well, excuse me for being a little miffed by our current predicament.Youput me here.”
“And what’s done is already done. It’s how we use the past to move forward that defines us, and so far, you’re not impressing me.”
“Aw, well then, it’s a good thing I’m not trying to impress you, Shade,” I replied sweetly, batting my eyes.
His jaw popped from clenching his teeth, the first sign of frustration I’d ever seen in him. “We need to finish this damn assignment, Aflora. Unless you intend to join me in more intimate locations like the bathroom or the shower.” His gaze dropped to the top button of my blouse. “Actually, that sounds like a beautiful plan. Shall we go?”
I tried to elbow him but couldn’t, thanks to the binds.
Instead, I growled at him low in my throat. “Not happening.”
His lips twitched as he bent to press his mouth against my ear. “That’s not what you say in your dreams, little rose.”
I gasped and tried to face him, only to be yanked right back into his side by the powerful spell. “You are in my head!”
“No, I’m in yourblood.” He kissed my neck before I had a chance to realize his intention, then nipped my pulse. “You’re mine, princess. Forever. Now either work with me or let’s go play in bed.”
“Never.”
“Stop lying to yourself,” he said softly. “I know how you really feel and so do you. The sooner we get past this brutal courtship period, the better. Because I’m dying to fuck you.”
“Shade!”
“What?” he demanded, his blue eyes glowing with power. “Would you rather I lie, too? Pretend my cock isn’t hard as granite right now from your flowery perfume and seductive curves?” He snorted. “And I don’t even like flowers. Yet all I can think about is exploring your petal-soft skin and dipping my tongue into your damp pussy. Because let’s be honest, we both know you’re wet. I cansmellit, Aflora.”
My jaw nearly hit the floor, his crude words doing things to me that they most certainly shouldn’t.
And with Headmaster Irwin lurking in the other room.
Oh, Mother Earth, save me from this cruelly handsome fae!
“Mmm, and now it’s intensifying,” he mused, leaning in to nibble my neck once more. “Did Glacier not speak to you like this, baby? With intention and lust-filled promises?”
