He let Archer lie in bed with me when I didn’t remember.
That doesn’t feel like that much of an issue right now. It’s not as pressing as the feel of his lips.
He cups my cheek, making the desire even worse as he leans in a fraction, silently offering the rest for me to take, to make it my decision, but before I can decide whether it’s a good idea or not, a knock comes from the door.
My chest decompresses, disappointment claiming me as he tilts his face, pressing his forehead against mine for a moment before he kicks off the sheets.
“I know you’re still mad at me, Princess. That’s okay, but I promise I will devour your pussy for one hundred days to make it up to you.” He winks before stalking toward the door.
My heart flutters as he grabs the handle, taking a second to peer over his shoulder at me before he opens it. He doesn’t say aword as his eyes roam over me, making my skin feel like it’s on fire.
He takes a second to adjust his length beneath his shorts, and I groan, flopping back on the bed as he swings the door open just enough to see who is on the other side.
“You,” he grunts, eyes narrowing at the person standing on the other side, and I frown.
“I didn’t realize you would be here.”
Is that Silas?
“Well, I am, so you can fuck off. And you can make sure to fuck off every other day too,” he grunts, folding his arms over his chest.
“She was distressed last night. I wanted to check in on her.”
“Of course you did, but she’s fine. She’s going to be fine. Today, tomorrow, forever. Actually, if I catch you knocking on this door again, I’m going to mangle your fucking brain so hard with commands that you’re going to wish I just chopped off that wandering little cock of yours instead.”
10
IVY
The early morning sun beams down on me the second I step outside. I toy with the collar of my academy-issued shirt, the restriction of my tie worsening as I tilt my face toward the warmth.
A hand lands on my shoulder, and I already know who it belongs to: the Water Protector who is hellbent on causing mayhem in my life.
His presence isn’t so much the issue. It’s how strongly I’m drawn to him that is driving me insane.
Why do I seem so captivated by him?
“Are you okay?” he asks for the thousandth time, likely half expecting me to shake my head and bolt back inside, but I've missed out on enough. As off-kilter as I feel, this is the only semblance of normalcy I have.
Clearing my throat, I plaster on a tight smile. “I’d be better off if I didn’t have an entourage.” I glance over my shoulder toward where Archer leans against the building, unfazed by the heat radiating from the fiery entrance.
He cocks a brow at me, making me huff, but he doesn't hold my attention for long as my gaze tracks to the white tiger stalking along the tree line. But it’s the sound of wings overheadthat wins in the end, blasting a gust of air over me as I shield my eyes from the sun to catch the pretty flash of Alaric’s scales.
It seems my hated mates are determined to follow me everywhere. Before I can argue against it again, I exhale slowly and focus on getting through the day instead.
As I place one foot in front of the other, a flash of red whips past my face, and I come eye to eye with Ember. I can feel the flickers of her heat against the tip of my nose as she smiles at me.
“You've got this,” she insists, and I nod, determined to take her words to heart as Archer clears his throat.
“We can just head back inside,” he offers, but I balk, my eyes narrowing as I tilt my face toward him.
“Why? I'm not afraid,” I mutter, standing taller. His eyes widen a fraction.
“You're not?” he reiterates, and I roll my eyes.
I don’t have time to deal with any kind of doubt, whether from the outside world or from within.
Instead, I take off, trying to shake the tension as I head toward the main academy building. The glimmer of wildflowers distracts me from my whirlwind of thoughts and I grin; the first one that feels real.
