Technically, I shook my head, but just like that, it was enough of an answer.
It feels foreign to me, but as he tries to fall into step at my side, an air of calmness floating between us, my mind is yanked to the present when Teddy shoves him out of the way.
My lips part, shock getting the better of me, but as they bicker back and forth, I head for the door, eager to feel the sweet, late-afternoon rays of sunshine on my skin.
Classes are finally done for the day, and I'm absolutely starving. Which means I need to stop at the dining hall before I get my sunny joy. My stomach grumbles as if confirming my thoughts. I’m hungry enough to be at the point where Teddy's insistence that I have to sit with them and all of the rules that come with being their fated mate, and a phoenix, doesn't matter.
I just need to be fed. It's threatening to taint my joy, and I’ve accomplished some pretty awesome things today. I don’t want to lose the high I’m on, especially not due to being hangry.
Reaching the stairs, I take them two at a time, practically skipping down to the dining hall, but as I reach the bottom and see the crowd of students, I'm acutely aware of how many of them are staring at me.
It seems I'm still a hot topic.
Nothing else extreme or extravagant has happened since this morning, which means, along with my food, I get a great helping of scrutiny and assumptions from my peers.
I've never been more excited.
Thankfully, nobody tries to approach me, and if there are any whispers, they're muted by the chaos that fills the dining hall. I relish the sound of clattering utensils, laughter, and general mayhem that unfolds with so many people close to one another. It creates the perfect backdrop, eliminating any sense of frustration that threatens to cling to me.
As I step farther into the dining hall, I falter at the sight of my friends at the far table, each smiling in my direction as Meadow waves.
My chest aches, but determination floods my veins as I turn to see one of my hated mates, Teddy, only a step behind me.
Taking a deep breath, I roll my shoulders back. “Teddy, how do I convince you to let me go and sit with my friends?”
His eyes narrow a fraction as he looks down at me, hands planted on his hips as he tilts his head.
“You know the rules, Princess. We talked about this before we even set off this morning,” he confirms, and I sigh.
“I know we did, but I have followed your rules all day. You're still in the room with me. I am not on my own. My friends are right over there. Please, just let me have a little bit of space. I deserve a reward for igniting some of my magic earlier,” I insist, rocking back on my heels as I try to contain the smile that graces my lips at the memory of it, and he shakes his head, amusement dancing in his bright blue eyes.
“Princess, I?—”
“You do realize that the more you restrict me, the more I'm going to fight against it, right? If we can compromise here, then I might be more amenable to being in your presence and accepting your help,” I offer, clutching at straws as I try to talk him into agreeing with me. My chances are slim, but it’s worth a try.
He runs his tongue along his bottom lip as the rest of my hated mates take a seat at their usual table in the center of the room. If I have a chance of convincing one of them, it’s Teddy. I know it. Maybe Sax too, but I’ll only worry about that if he insists I have to join them.
“Please, Teddy.” I flutter my eyelashes for good measure as he drags a hand down his face.
“Compromise, you say?” he mumbles, and my breath lodges in my throat as my fingers tingle with anticipation. He's walking me into a trap. I know he is. Yet, I fall freely.
“I can compromise.”
A wicked grin transforms his face. “You can go and sit with your friends, Ivy, but it's going to cost you,” he declares, and I gulp.
“What's the price?” I ask, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip while I wait with bated breath as the air thickens around us.
His left hand moves from his waist to mine as he lowers his face, so the tips of our noses touch.
“A kiss.”
I scoff. I should have known, but I’m still considering his offer.
Compromise? Sure.
A trap? Definitely.
Before I can change my mind, I nod, leaning forward to press my lips against the corner of his mouth in a brief touch before I lean back, only for him to shake his head.
