by Lexi C. Foss
Aflora didn’t reply to me, her feet apparently glued to the runner in the foyer. She glanced up at the cathedral ceilings, took in the skylights showcasing a star-filled night, and then looked at the ample seating room. Three couches, two recliners, and a massive movie screen. Perfect for entertaining, which Tray and I did often during the school year.
Well, I did.
Tray tended to hide in his room with Ella.
Pulling open the refrigerator, I found it empty. Idiot. We hadn’t been here all summer, and I just learned two hours ago that I needed to bring Aflora here.
Using my wand, I muttered a few incantations to create tea mugs. That would have to do until I could arrange for an Academy food delivery.
Or Zeph could handle it.
I set the mugs on the black bar counter that hung over into the living area, and slid my phone from my pocket.
Where are you? I typed, hitting Send.
Packing, was the immediate reply. Your Highness, came a second later.
I rolled my eyes. Don’t be a dick.
Just doing my job, Zeph replied.
Of being a dick?
I’ll be there soon. Surely you can find something to do with her until I get there. She’s a female fae, right? You like those.
I snorted. Who set your boxers on fire?
You did.
My eyebrows shot up. Not in a few months, if I recall right.
Fuck off, Kolstov.
Not what you said to me the last time we met up, I sent back.
No reply.
Not that I expected one.
With a smirk, I slid the phone back into my pocket and looked up to find Aflora watching me from the other side of the bar.
“Girlfriend?” she guessed.
“I don’t do girlfriends,” I replied, leaning over to rest my elbows on the counter. “So don’t get any ideas.”
She scoffed. “Don’t worry. You’re not my type.”
Liar, I thought. I recognized the attraction in her eyes earlier, and I could taste the lust in the air when I had her in my arms. She might not want to admit it, but the Earth Fae Royal definitely found me appealing. And the feeling was very mutual.
“I conjured you some tea,” I said, nodding to the mugs. “Once Zeph arrives, we’ll figure out how to find food.”
She didn’t touch the mug or reply, instead choosing to gaze out the windows. As I hadn’t turned on any of the lights, she could see everything with clarity, including the gnats glowing below. But it was the Academy beyond that she seemed to be studying—the endless sea of gothic architecture.
“It’s several blocks wide,” I said. “The living quarters are spread throughout. In case you were curious, Shade resides on the opposite side of campus, which is about a fifteen-minute walk.”
“I wasn’t curious.”
Maybe not, but I caught the glimmer of approval in her expression.
Yeah, she definitely doesn’t like him.
“Zeph will give you a proper tour tomorrow, and once you have your schedule, I’ll help you map out your courses.” I picked up the mug closest to me and took a sip of the warm, minty liquid.
Perfection.
If she chose not to touch hers, then I’d help myself to it next.
After another swallow, I dove into an explanation of her future. “You’ll have four days of classes, then two days off, then three days on again, followed by three days off. The cycle repeats after that. So twelve days total. There will be a longer break in the middle of the year for the Solstice, but otherwise, the schedule keeps.”
“And what will I be learning?”
“You’ll have a mixture of dark arts courses, physical training, and likely a political course.” Because apparently she knew nothing about the five Midnight Fae bloodlines. Well, technically six. But only five were still in existence today.
“I’m an Elemental Fae, not a Midnight Fae.”
“An Elemental Fae who was bitten by a Midnight Fae, thereby introducing you to the dark arts. It’s in your blood now.” Or that was what Chern had hypothesized. Given what I’d observed so far, he was likely very wrong. Without her access to the elements, Aflora seemed as harmless as a human.
Hopefully, she remained that way. Then this could all blow over. She’d return to her realm, Shade would be punished for his transgressions, and all would be right with the world again.
I met her wide gaze as I took another pull from my drink and noted her ashen cheeks. My brow furrowed. “What?”
“I… It’s…” She swallowed. “His bite infected my blood?” Her small hand went to her throat as she took a step backward, her expression falling. “A… abomin… I’m a…” She collapsed onto the sofa, and her head fell to her hands.
I frowned at her. “You hadn’t pieced that together already?”
No reply.
Only a hitch of her shoulders as she fought off what sounded like a sob.
Fuck.
Crying women were not my thing. I didn’t know how to handle them or how to calm them. Did I walk over there and pat her head? Offer condolences? Lie to her about the inevitable?
I palmed the back of my neck. “I, uh, I’m sor—”
“I’m going to kill him!” Aflora snapped. Her tear-filled eyes captured my gaze, her cheeks red with emotion.
But it wasn’t sadness or self-pity.
Aflora was livid.
And those weren’t tears.
No. Her bright blue irises were aflame with power.
Oh, shit…
“Where is he?” she demanded, jumping to her feet. “Where is that willow stump who did this to me? If I’m going down, he’s going down with me.” She stomped into the kitchen, energy swarming around her in a hypnotic wave that called to my royal blood.
Ideal mate, a part of me recognized. She’s an ideal mate.
“Tell me where he is!” she shouted in my face.
Okay. This wasn’t going to work.
I set my mug down and crowded her against the bar by placing my hands on the marble on either side of her hips. “Calm down.”
“Calm down?” she repeated with a semi-hysterical snort. “Are you kidding me? That pixie stick made me an abomination!”
My lips twitched at her adorable curse.
Which was apparently the wrong reaction because more of that delicious red fury coated her cheeks.
“Are you laughing at me? Do you find humor in him essentially raping me with his fangs and turning my world upside down?” She jabbed a finger at my chest. “You’re no better than he is, and here I thought you might have a little moral high ground as a fellow royal. Apparently not.”
I caught her wrist before she could stab me again and brought the offending digit up to my mouth for a reprimanding bite. Not sharp enough to break the skin—that was exactly what got her into this mess—but enough to assert my dominance. “I took humor with your nickname designation. Pixie stick has a nice ring to it. I think I’ll borrow it for Shade going forward.”
Some of her ire cooled, but that liquid fire in her gaze continued to burn. She reminded me of a furious Valkyrie with her waves of blue-black hair, creamy skin, and glowing eyes. All she needed were some wings.
Clearing my throat, I released her hand and reaffixed my grip to the counter beside her. “The past is already done. What you need to focus on is moving forward. Shade won’t be here for another week. If it’s any consolation, I imagine his father has some punishments in mind for him in the interim.”
She nibbled her lower lip, drawing my focus to her alluring mouth.
Aflora really was a beautiful fae. A queen with regal bone structure and a gorgeously formed figure. Fantastic tits, I thought, taking in her skewed blouse. Long, athletic legs. If she were human, I’d seduce her in a heartbeat. Bend her over this counter, tuck up that little skirt, and fuck her raw.
Alas, her Elemental Fae blood made that problematic.
Still, it could be done.
“You’re looking a
t me like I’m food,” she whispered, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. “Please don’t bite me.”
“Mmm.” I leaned into her, my mouth skimming the shell of her ear and eliciting a shiver from her in response. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. When I bite you, I won’t break the skin.” I brushed my lips against her temple for the second time tonight, then forced myself to pull away. “Let’s get your quarters sorted. It’ll provide us both a much-needed distraction.”
Because if I wasn’t careful, I’d devise a different way to pass the time while we waited for Zeph. Which would only prove the Guardian right about my proclivities and earn me a world of chastisement.
And Zephyrus was the last one I wanted a lecture from right now.
I led Aflora through the living area again. She had fallen silent once more, her hands twisting in front of her. As horrifying as this had to be for her, she appeared to be handling it well. Which told me she had an escape plan in mind. It was what I would do in her position. Unfortunately, she didn’t stand a chance.
Something told me the only way for that point to be driven home was to allow her to try and fail.
Allowing the starlight from the windows above to guide us, I turned into a hallway lined with doors. Stopping at the first one, I opened it to reveal a large space filled with more seating, pillows, books, and an array of bottles filled with potions. “This is the loft area where Ella and Tray lounge the most. They like to study here.”
“Ella and Tray?” Aflora repeated in a low murmur.
Right. She hadn’t studied Midnight Fae politics yet. Annoyance simmered in my blood, but I held it back and offered her a brief explanation.
“Trayton Nacht, also known as Tray, is my twin brother. Isabella Cinder, a Halfling, is his chosen mate.” I shut the door. “You’ll meet them next week.”
“Oh” was all she said.
I gestured to another threshold. “Tray and Ella’s room.” Then I pointed across the hall. “That’s a guest area and option number one for you.” Several more steps brought us to another door. I motioned to it, saying, “Option number two.” And finally, at the end of the hallway, I said, “This is my room.”
I twisted the knob because I needed to find her some temporary clothes. Making them with my wand would likely result in something too scandalous for her to actually wear. While appealing, I couldn’t risk the temptation. “I’ll grab you something to wear, if you want to stay here.” I pointed to the spot just inside the door, then ventured into my Academy sanctuary in search of my walk-in closet, which existed on the other side of my spacious bathroom. The familiar, warm brown tones caused my lips to curl, the scent of mint and spice still lingering from my last visit.
Mine, I thought. At least for another year.
Sifting through my wardrobe of Academy-sanctioned outfits, suits, and casual items, I found a plain black shirt and a pair of flannel pajama bottoms. Then I grabbed some boxers just in case the pants didn’t fit.
Aflora stood in the entry, stiff as a board.
“Never been in a man’s room before?” I teased.
Her lips curled down. “I’m not an innocent, Kolstov. I have a boyfriend. It’s your bedroom I don’t want to enter.”
Amusement touched my chest. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart. Maybe you’ll convince us both.”
She snorted. “Are all Midnight Fae as arrogant as you and Shadow?”
“I prefer sexy and confident, at least in the description of myself,” I said, winking at her. “Now which will it be, option one or option two?”
Her blue eyes rolled. “As if I care.”
“Well, option one is across the hall from Ella and Tray, so you’ll probably hear them fucking on occasion. Option two is between both our rooms, which means you’ll get to hear me entertaining as well as Tray and Ella fucking. Therefore, perhaps you’d prefer the second option so you can think of me when you’re alone at night? Picture yourself between my sheets instead of whomever I’ve chosen to indulge that evening?”
Aflora’s full lips parted on a gasp. “What a crude thing to say.”
“Better get used to it,” I replied, crowding her against the wall. “This is my territory, and I won’t be changing my habits just to suit your prudish ways.”
Her nostrils flared. “I’m not a prude.”
“Prove it,” I dared, walking a dangerous line.
A muscle ticked in her cheek as she clenched her teeth. “I don’t need to prove anything to you,” she finally said after a beat, turning on her heel. To my utter shock, she marched off to option two as if to make her point. “I’ll sleep here.”
She opened the door.
And proceeded to slam it behind her.
The shift of her lock echoed in the hallway.
“Well, she has spirit,” a deep voice drawled from the opening of the corridor.
My heart skipped a beat as my one weakness stepped beneath one of the skylights, his striking features glistening beneath the stars.
“Hello, Zephyrus,” I greeted, my confidence seeping from my veins.
“Prince Kolstov,” he returned, formal and direct. “I’ll take the other guest room. Then you and I are going to have a long talk.”
Two hits in one sentence.
Not only was he denying a night in my bed—which we both knew I’d be more than happy to accommodate—but he also wanted to have a discussion.
Discussions with Guardian Zephyrus never went in my favor.
I should have volunteered myself for the role of introducing Aflora to the Academy rather than allow my father to delegate the task to Zeph. The selfish part of me had rejoiced, while the practical side knew better.
Unfortunately, my selfish half had won.
And now I would pay the price for it.
Chapter Six
Aflora
Finally, something normal.
No snakes or gargoyles or fiery bugs or anything unseemly. Just a standard bedroom equipped with a double bed, a dresser, a small attached bath, and a closet.
Easy.
Elegantly furnished.
And boasting a window overlooking the Academy grounds. The entire property reminded me of a human cathedral with all the stained-glass windows and obsidian stone. Most of the buildings appeared to be the same height as this one, with random spires interspersed between. Framed by the stars and moonlight, it really did have a vampiric appeal.
Appropriate, considering the Midnight Fae’s penchant for blood.
I touched my neck and walked into the bathroom in search of a mirror. Apart from my untamed hair, I still looked the same. The mark on my throat resembled more of a hickey than a bite. At least my fae healing abilities still worked. Unlike my access to the source.
Grasping the cold marble sink, I leaned in to study every crevice of my face.
What binding power did they put on me? I wondered. And how do I break it?
I ran my hands over my blouse and skirt, down my legs, and to my shoes, searching for anything that felt wrong or foreign. Nothing.
I stripped out of my clothes, just in case.
Still nothing.
Grabbing the sink, I scowled at my reflection. It had to be some sort of magical net that I couldn’t sense. So how did I defeat it?
Padding into the bedroom on bare feet, I went to the window to search for a tree or any kind of life outside. If I could find a piece of earth and latch onto it, I might be able to call to my source and break through—
A knock interrupted my concentration, and the door opened a second later.
I spun around with a glower, irritated by the interruption.
“Aflora, Zeph is…” Kolstov trailed off, his eyes wandering over me.
I frowned at him. What is his prob…? Oh. Oh! My arm flew up to cover my breasts, my opposite hand falling to my lower half. “Get out!”
His palms rose in surrender as he took a step backward.
Then he bent and tossed something inside. “Clothes to, uh, wear.�
�� He seemed to shake himself before closing the door.
I scowled at the wood. Pompous, intrusive wad of—
Wait.
How did he open that door? I’d locked it.
Marching over, I found it distinctly unlatched.
Not okay.
Plucking the shirt off the floor, I pulled it over my head before donning the boxer shorts—an item I really hoped was clean—then threw open the door and stomped outside.
Only to freeze with one foot in the hallway.
The scene at the end of the corridor held me captive, my jaw hitting the floor.
A male had Kolstov pinned up against the wall with a palm around his throat, the other on his hip. They were locked in some sort of heated stare. And from the looks of it, the newcomer with the sharp cheekbones was definitely winning.
“Let. Go.” Kolstov’s command was a rasp against the air. He had the other man’s lapels clenched tightly in his fists, his golden irises swirling with fire.
“You first,” the male replied, his voice rich and dark and holding an edge of domination that had my knees wobbling.
Well now, who is this guy? Zeph?
He appeared slightly older. Definitely stronger. Same height as Kolstov, but with an aura of superiority that I found surprising. Who could be more powerful than a Midnight Fae Prince? Maybe the king, but this guy wasn’t him. Too young for that. And he looked nothing like Kolstov, either.
“Fuck you, Zephyrus,” Kolstov hissed.
“That’s Headmaster Zephyrus to you, Prince Kolstov.”
My eyebrows lifted.
Wow, so these two clearly had some sort of history. I couldn’t tell if they wanted to kill each other or rip each other’s clothes off.
I sort of wanted to watch just to see how it all turned out.
But I also wanted to know how Kolstov unlocked my door.
I opened my mouth to ask, when flames erupted between the two men, causing me to jump backward. There weren’t any wands present, no words spoken, just fire dancing in the air as if summoned from one of their minds.
It quickly became obvious who created it when Zephyrus tossed Kolstov to the ground while muttering, “Foul play.”