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The guards move in swiftly, hauling a sobbing, incoherent Jae-hyun off the floor and snapping cuffs on his wrists. As they drag him away, Jae-hyun stares helplessly at Teagan, but my wing shifts, blocking his view until the doors slam shut behind them.

My tail whips behind me. Furious, ragged breaths echo in the corridor.

"Mr. Dae," Dean Yaga says gently. "Are you injured?"

I immediately turn, retracting my wings slightly to look down at Teagan.

He’s pale, his shoulders trembling slightly his under costume, but his bright brown eyes are clear as he looks up at me. There’s a tiny, smudge of dark blood near his jawline where the spike nipped him.

Seeing that tiny drop of blood makes my heart twist in agony. I dropped my guard. I let him out of my sight for two fucking minutes.

"I'm fine, Dean Yaga," Teagan says softly, his voice shaky. "He... he didn't get to do anything. Ryker got here in time. He kept me safe."

Kieran steps up, wiping a hand over his face. "Holy shit, Tae. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, Kieran," Teagan nods. Zay reaches out and squeezes Teagan’s hand.

"I'm going to escort you both back to Karloff Hall," Dean Yaga states firmly, her severe eyes softening as she looks between us. "The campus is secure, but you both need rest."

"No.” I step closer to Teagan, lifting a large, thumb to gently wipe away the tiny drop of blood from his jaw, my claw carefully angled away from his delicate skin. "I'll take him back. Nobody touches him tonight but me."

Dean Yaga looks at me for a long moment, noting the tense arc of my wings and the possessive stance I’ve taken in front of Teagan. She gives a single, solemn nod.

"Very well, Ryker. Go home."

The walk back to Karloff Hall is a blur of cold night air and silence. The moment we clear the banquet hall exits, I lift him up into my arms, cradling him securely against my chest while my broad wings fold tightly around us both to keep out the wind. He doesn't protest. He just buries his face in the crook of my neck, his small hands clutching the lapels of my dark tunic as if he's afraid I’ll disappear.

When we reach the dorm, I kick the door shut behind us, before locking it.

I carry him into his bedroom, setting him down gently on the edge of the mattress. The room is illuminated by the soft glow of his lamp.

Now that we’re safe, and the threat is gone, the weight of what almost happened crashes over me. I fall to my knees in front of him, my chest heaving. My hands resting on his knees, and my long black hair falls forward.

"I fucking failed you," I whisper. "I let you out of my sight. I stood at a bar getting us drinks while he had a weapon at your throat. If I’d been a minute later…"

"Ryker, stop."

His warm hands cup my cheeks, forcing my head up so I have to look into his eyes. There are tears brimming there.

"Look at me, mate," Teagan murmurs. "You didn't fail me. You saved me. You fucking saved me like a damn knight in shining armor. You protected me."

"You’re bleeding and shaking, Tae," I rasp. "I promised to guard you, and he made you blood."

"It's a scratch," Teagan whispers, leaning down until his forehead rests against mine. His warm breath mingles with mine in the dim room. "And it's over. Jae-hyun is gone. He’s never coming back. You ended it, just like you promised."

I close my eyes, letting out a long, shaky exhale. I wrap my arms around his waist, pulling his lower body against my chest while I keep my forehead pressed to his.

"You scared the fucking shit out of him, you know," Teagan chuckles. "I think you scared him so bad he's going to dream about purple wings for the rest of his life."

"Good," I growl. "The bastard deserves worse."

Teagan laughs. He leans down to press his lips to mine.

The kiss starts soft, sweet, and filled with relief, but as I wrap my wings completely around him, the kiss deepens. I pull him closer, my hands sliding under the hem of his coat, needing to feel his skin against my palms.

“Never again,” I promise.

Chapter nineteen