Anger swirls in the pit of my stomach. No one calls me a bitch without retaliation. But thanks to the blood vow I made with Elena, I have to swallow my pride. I curl my hands into fists, digging my nails into my palms.
“I’m really trying here, Calvin,” I grit out. “But if you, if we, don’t change our attitudes toward one another, I don’t see the point of going ahead with this union.”
“You can’t back out of our engagement, sunshine. The council voted. It’s happening.”
“Do you think you’re the only eligible bachelor from a powerful magical family? I can always claim we aren’t compatible, and they’d have no choice but to marry me to someone else. All they care about is that the future High Witch marries a candidate from a good family. It doesn’t need to be you.”
This is a total bluff. The council members would rather cut their own wrists than go back on a decision they all voted in favor of. They’re that stubborn.
But Calvin is a moron, and clearly doesn’t know about the inner workings of the elders. Sparks of fury are coming out of his eyes now. “Bullshit.”
“Would you bet on it?” I raise an eyebrow. “It’d be a hassle to get rid of you, for sure. But I’ll do it if you keep acting like a jerk. Let’s face it, darling, you need me more than I need you.”
Watching the pompous ass turn beet red is more than I could hope for. But I can’t gloat. I’m balancing on a tightrope here, and if I push him too far, I’m going to lose the game.
“Fine. I’ll try to be nicer. How about I take the rest of the day off and we spend it together?”
It’s impossible to miss the implication of his suggestion. Hell to the no, jerkface. You’re not sampling the goods until I have no choice.
“Let’s not be hasty. We’ll start with lunch.”
After a gruesome two-hour lunch where I tried not to stab Calvin in the eye with a fork, I stopped to see my sisters. I miss the brats, and I also knew Mom wouldn’t be home. It was good catching up with them, and they made me forget my fucked-up life for a little bit. But I also had another reason for my surprise visit. I had to plant the spell Elena Montenegro gave me in one of my mother’s books.
When I return to Bloodstone, my heart is heavy, and I have no desire to attend any of the classes on the schedule tonight. But I can’t keep blowing them off. Solomon will definitely keep me here longer if he thinks I need more training. In hindsight, it would postpone my wedding to Calvin, but that would be like spending another thirty days on death row in prison.
I run to my apartment to change clothes, then hurry to Hanson’s class—Keepers training. He’s another asshole I’d rather not deal with, but at least I don’t have to endure him one-on-one. Besides, he barely pays attention to me. I’m not there to become one of his brainless soldiers. In my opinion, Solomon should have never allowed this ridiculous program. Back in the old days, regulars trained to join the king’s Red Guard. They were warriors. The students in this class are the equivalent of mall cops. Pathetic.
A cluster of five regulars are chatting when I enter the gym. They stop talking at once to gawk at me. I should be used to the stares by now. There’s a lot of lore about witches that vampires fear, especially regulars.
I wave at them, grinning from ear to ear like a maniac. They look away without waving back. Sheep.
Hanson is not here yet, so I start with the warm-up exercises. The other students resume their chitchat, but it’s easy to tune them out. My deal with Elena is at the forefront of my mind. I hate that she cornered me into a blood vow. Magical bindings are not something anyone should enter without careful consideration, and even so it’s risky as hell. In my case, it feels like I sold my soul to the devil.
She ripped a page from her own grimoire and gave it to me. All I had to do was magically include the page in one of the grimoires my mother has access to. She can’t know where the spell came from or what I had to agree to in order to get it. That was one of Elena’s conditions, and she made sure it was included in the vow’s agreement.
I’m in the middle of a calf stretch when the murmurs in the background stop. My head is down, so I can’t see who disrupted the class, but tingles down my back warn me the regulars didn’t shut up because Hanson arrived. Saxon is here. I don’t know how I know it’s him.
I lift my head, and sure as hell, I find Saxon standing on the opposite side of the gym wearing workout clothes. My heart begins to thump faster, not as heavy as before. I stand straighter, caught in the desire to run into his arms or flee. Heat creeps up my cheeks and electricity seems to crackle in the air.
What the hell is going on?
I expect Saxon to walk over, but he veers toward the regulars instead. The two girls in the group perk up, and almost at once, they begin to play with their hair and smile like idiots. Jealousy hits my chest like a bulldozer. The words of a wicked spell gather in my tongue. One sentence and those two regulars will be shitting in their pants.
Oh my God. What am I doing? Am I seriously considering hexing those poor regulars only because Saxon said hello to them? He’s not my boyfriend. He’s just a vampire I fucked.
Hanson comes in, stopping in his tracks when he sees Saxon there.
“What are you doing in my class?” he asks.
“Solomon asked me to train with the regulars.”
“What do you mean? Does he have a problem with my curriculum?”
“Not that I know of.” Saxon shrugs.
“I don’t understand. You woke from hibernation years ago. Didn’t you already complete your rehabilitation or … wait. Is Lucca awake?”
No. He can’t be. I just added Elena’s spell to my mother’s stuff. She couldn’t possibly have found it and had the chance to perform it.
“No. Lucca is not awake yet. Come on, dude. Stop asking me questions. I’m back. That’s all you need to know.”
Hanson grumbles. My stomach spirals.
My worst fear has come to pass. Saxon is here, and I’m woman enough to admit the temptation will be hard to resist.
He finally comes over, and before he has even crossed the distance, my body begins to shake violently. I feel physically ill, like I have a fever. I press my palm against my forehead. Shit. I’m burning up.
“Are you okay?” He’s now in front of me. Too close.
I shake my head. “I can’t be here. I don’t feel well.”
To my dismay, he touches my cheek with the back of his hand. Swiftly, the shock comes—much more potent this time. I cry out, and that’s the last thing I remember doing before I pass out.
12
Saxon
I’ve been pacing in Aurora’s living room for the past half hour. She passed out during Hanson’s class after I touched her, so naturally I whisked her into my arms and bolted to Solomon’s office. She regained consciousness there, but I refrained from touching her again.
The potion King Raphael gave me worked. I could sense the mating bond, but it was weaker, it didn’t take over my senses completely. It’s obvious that the magic binding us is beginning to affect Aurora too.
Finally, Solomon walks out of her room, looking extremely displeased. I lied to him and said the king had forbidden me or anyone to tell Aurora we’re mates. It was a stupid move and I’m sure the headmaster didn’t believe me.
“I gave her something for the fever.” He answers the question that’s shining in my eyes. “Now you’re going to explain to me why she can’t know, and don’t try to sell me that crap about the king again.”
My shoulders sag forward as a resigned exhale leaves my body. “Look, Aurora doesn’t want to get married to the asshat the council chose for her. What if she sees the bond as the perfect excuse to break off the engagement?”
Squinting, Solomon rubs his chin as he seems to ponder my reply. “I hadn’t thought about that. If she calls off the engagement because of you, King Raphael will surely lose the support of the witches and mages. We can’t allow that to happen.”
Wow, Solomon is agreein
g with me. I never thought I’d see the day. Too bad everything that I said is a load of crap. Sure, I don’t want to screw things up for the king, but I’m having a terrible time letting go of Aurora even under the influence of the potion. I want to touch her and protect her. The idea I can’t keep her from marrying someone she hates is crushing me.
“I know,” I say.
“And with your blemished past, some people might even think you did it on purpose. Like father, like son.”
Fuck. He had to go there. I’ve always suspected Solomon didn’t like me, and it seems I’ve been right all along. Why else would he pour salt into the wound that never healed?
“I’m not my father,” I grit out. “I’d never betray my king.”
“That remains to be seen,” he says in an offhanded manner.
“What’s that supposed to mean? What are you insinuating?”
“Perhaps not on purpose,” he counters, not one bit affected by my aggressive stance. “What kind of potion did you say you took to help with your primal mating urges?”
“Something against a siren’s spell.”
“Hmm. Not good. Not good. I’ll have to think of a better alternative. In the meantime, stay away from Aurora. And definitely no touching of any kind.”
“What am I supposed to do if she comes after me?”
He gives me a droll stare. “You’re a second-generation Blueblood, you’ve survived several bloody wars, don’t tell me you can’t evade a twenty-one-year-old witch.”
Irritated, I cross my arms while glowering at the small male. “I can evade her.”
He shakes his head. “I’m sure your head could. Your dick? That’s another matter.”
Aurora
I don’t know what kind of malady hit me, but I must have spent days in bed recovering from the sudden cold. My body is achy when the fever finally breaks, and I can feel the hollowness in my stomach.
There’s someone making a ruckus in my kitchen, opening and shutting cupboards. A minute later, my sister Miranda walks into the room, carrying a tray of food in her hands.
“Oh good. You’re awake. Feel like some chicken soup?”
Wincing, I sit up. “If you didn’t know I was awake, why did you bring me food?”
“I was hoping the smell would raise you from the dead.” She smirks.
My stomach rumbles as loud as thunder, making her laugh.
“How long was I out?”
“Two days. You got a nasty bug. I’ve been taking care of you since Solomon called Mom.”
“I’m sorry.”
Miranda frowns. “Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault you got sick.”
“No, I’m sorry our mother sucks and you had to pick up the slack.”
In true Miranda fashion, she rolls her eyes. “God, you’re starting to sound like Niko. So dramatic.”
I reach for the tray, dying to dig in, even though there’s steam coming out of the bowl and I’m likely to burn my tongue.
“Did Mom come visit me once at least?”
“Yep. She said she will come later today.”
“I’d better recover my strength, then.” I take a full spoon of soup. It’s hot, but I welcome the warmth down my throat.
Miranda allows me to eat in peace for a few minutes as she begins to straighten up my room. But then she has to bring up the male I’ve been trying so hard to forget.
“A blond Blueblood came by to check on you. He’s a hottie. Did you tap that?”
“Miranda! That’s none of your business.”
“Okay, that answers my question.” She laughs. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist trying a bloodsucker at least once. Did you let him bite you?”
I cover my face with both hands. “Oh my God. I don’t want to talk about that with you.”
“Why not? We’ve never kept secrets from one another, and you promised me you wouldn’t change before you came here.”
She’s right. I did promise that.
“If you must know, we did hook up the evening Mom dropped the engagement guillotine.”
Miranda’s gaze darkens. “Good for you. I’m so fucking mad that she’s forcing you to marry that toad. Do you want to be the High Witch that badly?”
I clench my jaw as I debate telling her what’s at stake. In the end, I decide to leave Miranda out of it. Elena Montenegro is a cunning, dangerous witch. I can’t risk involving my sister in her shady schemes.
“Yes, I do.”
It kills me to see disappointment shine in her eyes. She thinks that I’m a sellout, that all I care about is power, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m not sure I can make her understand without telling her the whole truth, but the sound of a key turning interrupts our conversation.
“Mom is here.” Miranda takes the tray from me without making eye contact. “I’ll tell her you’re awake.”
A minute later, Isadora Leal comes in, dressed in one of her finest ensembles. Her black hair is pulled back in a severe bun, highlighting her sharp cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes. We look alike, but I don’t have the resting bitch face she does.
“Hey, Mom. You’re looking sharp. Do you have a hot date?” I smirk.
She rewards me with a haughty glance. “No. I was meeting with the king. I came to check on you before I drive to Lucca’s mansion.”
“Are you going to attempt bringing him back again?”
“Yes. I’ve found a new spell I’d like to try.”
I push the covers off me and throw my legs to the side of the bed. “I’m coming with you.”
“Absolutely not. You’re in no condition to assist me on anything.”
“I’m fine,” I insist, but my body doesn’t want to get with the program. I sway on the spot and end up with my butt back on the mattress.
“Clearly. Well, you do seem recovered enough to be arguing with me, and that’s what matters. I heard that you had lunch with Calvin before you fell ill.”
Ugh. Did she really have to bring that up?
“Yes. Since he’s my future husband, I wanted to get to know him better.”
Mom raises an eyebrow. “Oh? I thought your rebellion would last longer. I’m glad that you’re past childish tantrums.”
“Yes, Mother. I’ve finally grown up.”
She ignores my sarcastic comment and glances at her watch. “I’d better get going. Take care, Aurora. I don’t want you falling behind on your training.”
And just like that, I’m dismissed. She’s already on her way to the door and misses my death stare.
Don’t worry, Mom. There’s a blood vow hanging over my head ensuring I can’t disappoint you now, even if I wanted to.
13
Saxon
I promised Solomon I’d leave Aurora alone, but I’ve come to check on her every day that she was sick. And I also have been skulking near her apartment like a total stalker. I hid when the High Witch came to visit, obviously. If she finds out I’m mated to her daughter, she might turn me into a slug or something equally disgusting. But not much longer after the scary witch leaves, her younger daughter follows suit.
This time, I don’t stay hidden. Instead, I jump in her path, making her gasp while she clutches at her chest.
“Son of a bitch. Where did you come from?”
“Going home already?” I ask.
“Good grief, dude. Do you make it a habit to scare the crap out of people?”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to.” I reward her with my most charming smile, but it doesn’t have the desired effect.
Still sporting a frown, she walks around me. “Aurora is better.”
Unable to play it cool, I follow the girl. “Really? Is her fever gone?”
“Yeah. She’s fine. You don’t need to lose your beauty sleep anymore, okay?”
I open and shut my mouth, not knowing how to reply to that. It seems sassiness runs in the family.
“Aurora and I are just friends. That’s all.”
Why am I explaining myself to this k
id? I sound like a moron.
“Yeah, yeah. I know what kind of friends,” she mumbles under her breath.
“Wait.” I touch her arm, making her stop. “Did Aurora talk about me?”
She narrows her eyes, watching me with suspicion. “What do you want with her? You know she’s engaged, right?”
The reminder is akin to a spear piercing my chest.
“I know.” My voice comes out strangled.
Suddenly, her eyebrows shoot up, almost meeting her hairline. “Oh my God. You like Aurora.”
Shit. Am I that transparent? I let go of her arm, stepping back. “Don’t start getting crazy notions in your head, girlie.”
A manic glint appears in her eyes, right before her mouth splits into a wide grin. “This is perfect.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because Aurora is making a huge mistake and I’ll do anything to stop her, even if it means helping you win her over.”
Ah, fuck. That’s exactly what I need right now. A naïve teen who has seen way too many romcom movies.
“Just stop right there.” I raise my hand. “Let me make things clear. I don’t like your sister. We just banged, that’s all. So take that notion out of your head.”
“Right. I believe you.” She pulls a small notebook from her purse and scribbles something on it. Then she rips a page and hands it over. “Here. This is my number. Call me when you’re out of denial land and ready to strategize. We have ten months to avert a wedding.”
She saunters away while I just stare at the piece of paper, perplexed. A teenager has just floored me, an over five-hundred-year-old Blueblood. Damn it. My only saving grace is that Manu wasn’t here to witness the exchange. But even knowing I can’t entertain Aurora’s sister’s proposal, I shove the note in my pocket.
The sun has just set, and classes won’t start for at least an hour. I haven’t eaten anything substantial in days, so I veer toward the feeding room. But I don’t take two steps forward before my body turns around of its own accord.
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