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Marked by them.
Fucked by them.
Claimed by them.
“You’re it for me, Ari,” he murmured. “For all of us. No matter what happens at Magic Blessed, in the godly realm, or for the rest of my fucking life, I’ll never want anyone the way I want you.”
My lips curved up in an exhausted, sated smile.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Yes! Very nice, Aria!” Professor Howes called out.
I flung my arms open wide, then clapped them back together, swinging my magical vines back and forth. I took several steps forward and ducked as the apparition that was supposed to be fighting me took a swing.
Instead of rising up to strike him, I lowered my hands and then brought them straight up over my head. My magical whip caught the apparition between the legs and split him right up the middle, slicing through his body as if he were made of warm butter.
The thing disappeared, and several people in the class clapped, including the professor.
“Very well done. Very well done, indeed,” Howes said.
Not to sound cocky, but I was kicking ass in this class.
I didn’t know if it was due to my time in the godly realm or my natural aptitude for magic, but I was doing incredibly well in my classes. Magic surged through me, as if part of the boost I’d gotten in the godly realm had stayed with me even when I came back, and I had complete control over it. My power over it had started to feel instinctual, and I felt stronger than I ever had before.
Merrick caught my gaze from
across the room, his amber eyes glinting as he smiled at me. I grinned back, loving the look of pride on his face.
My three men were doing well in classes too, although none of them had improved by the same leaps and bounds I had.
For just a moment, my thoughts drifted to the Gods’ Challenge. Was it possible the challenge really was meant to help the students? If I thought about everything we’d gone through, every trial and tribulation, every strength that we gained from having to fight for our lives, it almost made sense. The deadly game forced us to use everything in us, to think quickly, and to recall every magical lesson we’d ever been taught. Without those skills…
“Without those skills, you’re as good as dead,” I mumbled to myself as I turned around, realizing that my logic was flawed.
Professor Howes glanced at me, her brows pulling together. “I’m sorry? I didn’t catch that.”
I cleared my throat, shaking my head. “Oh, nothing. I was just making notes for myself so I can do it better next time.”
“Ah.” She gave me a strange look, her features stiffening. “Good.”
The class continued, and she worked with other students, trying to talk them through using their powers to defeat the apparition. None of them handled it as easily as I had, and a small swell of pride bloomed in my chest.
But it only lasted until the end of class.
As everyone was filing out, Howes lifted her head, catching my gaze. “Aria. If you’ll wait a minute, please?”
My men all glanced at me anxiously, but I gave them a small nod to let them know I would be okay. I had a feeling they would wait outside the classroom anyway, ready to burst in if they heard any sign of distress. Once, that might’ve annoyed me, but now it warmed my chest.
“Yeah, professor? What’s up?” I stepped toward her, noticing the way her gaze darted from side to side.
“You did well today.”
I gave her a half-smile. “Thanks.”
“Aria.” For a moment, her gaze stopped shifting around. The jittery energy pouring from her calmed, and she looked right at me. “Don’t try so hard.”
