Oberon Academy- The Complete Series

by Wendi Wilson

  “What?!”

  “Sorry,” she said. “I couldn’t explain at first because, well, you didn’t know anything about anything. After that, well it just didn’t seem important and it never really came up.”

  I thought about it for a minute, then decided she was right. It really wasn’t that important.

  “Wait,” I said, interrupting my own thoughts. “Did you say he is your grandfather? Not was. Is.”

  “Well, as far as I know, he’s still alive out there, somewhere. He left his wife and the rest of the family not long after his son was born, claiming boredom once again. No one has heard from him since.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, but she shrugged it off.

  “It’s okay. I’ve never met him, so I can’t really miss him, you know?”

  I nodded in agreement to be supportive, but I knew her nonchalance was a façade. Probably better than anyone.

  I never knew my parents, yet I missed them terribly. I missed having a real home, a family that loved me, and, yes, even grandparents to dote on me when I was little.

  I missed everything I could have had, had I not been an orphan.

  I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around Shaela, pulling her in for a tight hug. She was such an amazing person, a perfect friend. The students at this school, and even her own grandfather, didn’t deserve her. I was determined to make sure I did and that she knew it.

  “I love you, Shaela,” I whispered into her ear.

  And unlike the times I’d said it before, there was no humor in my words. No sarcasm. No resulting laughter.

  I held her close as she mumbled the same words back to me, her voice strained with emotion. That was the moment our relationship solidified into an unshakeable bond.

  The moment I decided to take the reins in my life. To make my own family.

  And Shaela Goodman was its first member.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  26

  “I can’t do it.”

  Rowan looked at me, his facial expression a testament to his never-ending patience. I knew he would never give up on me. I also knew he’d never let me give up on myself. I obviously had magic inside me. I’d proven that on more than one occasion. I just couldn’t seem to access it at will.

  “Why don’t we take a short break?” he suggested, and I slumped onto the couch in relief.

  “Thanks,” I sighed, leaning my head back with closed eyes.

  I felt his weight on the cushion next to me, so I opened one eye and squinted at him. He was smiling, a soft, knowing, curve of the lips that told me he had something to talk about. After working with him for a few weeks, I was starting to recognize his expressions.

  “I can tell you have some question burning inside of you, December. It’s stealing your concentration, making our practice completely useless. Why don’t you just go ahead and ask it?”

  I picked my head up to gaze at him directly, and his kind smile didn’t waiver. I bit my bottom lip, stalling, but he remained still, his expression never wavering. He wasn’t going to push me, but he also wasn’t going to brush whatever was bothering me under the rug and ignore it.

  “Shaela and I were talking about the school yesterday,” I said, my words slow and measured as I gauged his reaction to each of them. “She said it’s more a training ground for war than an actual school.”

  His patient smile remained as he said, “That’s a fair assessment.”

  Shock rippled through me, not so much at his confirmation, but at his calm acceptance of the fact. “But…”

  When I didn’t continue, Rowan began to speak, saying, “The day will come when we can no longer sit by and allow the Zephyrs to continue on the course they’ve set. We established this school to prepare our children, and our children’s children, for that eventuality.”

  “But, why have the Sylphids let it get as far as they have? Why haven’t they already tried to stop them?”

  “We,” he said, stressing the word with extra meaning in his eyes, “are exhausting every option before resorting to war. A war between Fae would be devastating in its losses, on both sides. It would ravage the land, and humans could still get caught in the crossfire. We’d like to avoid that.”

  “So, what have you tried?” I asked.

  “The Sylph council has sent several delegations to meet with the Zephyr council—”

  “The Zephyrs have a council, too?” I asked, cutting him off.

  “Yes, though their council members are more figureheads. The real power lies in the hands of Queen Sebille.”

  “Queen?” I ask, my jaw dropping. “They have a queen? How did I not know this?”

  “The Zephyrs do not share the details of their hierarchy with the humans, and Sebille has never shown herself to them.” He tilts his head to the side, his eyes roving over my face. “You do know we Sylphs have a king, right?”

  I could feel the color drain from my face and Rowan’s eyes drifted closed as he groaned. It was a sound of frustration, which made me feel guilty on top of the stupid I already felt.

  “What on Earth is Professor Alfred even teaching you?” he said on a sigh. “I apologize, my dear. I should have assumed responsibility for catching you up fully, rather than expecting your other teachers to do it. This is my fault.”

  I shook my head at his words, brushing off his apology and asking, “Who is our king?”

  My voice cracked a little on the word “our.” I was still getting used to lumping myself in with the Sylphs, rather than just the humans. I was both, so I needed to get used to it.

  “Why, it’s Finn, of course.”

  “Finn…Oberon? As in, the Finn Oberon who is the headmaster of this school? That Finn Oberon?”

  The words fired from me, my voice bordering on hysteria as Rowan watched me with confusion etched across his features. He didn’t know why I was freaking out. Hell, I didn’t know why I was freaking out.

  “Yes,” he said. “That’s the one.”

  I leapt from the couch to pace in front of it. My blood was roaring in my ears and my fingers clenched and unclenched of their own accord.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I accused. “I met the freaking king, and you didn’t even tell me. What if I offended him, somehow?”

  I tried to think back to our meeting, to remember my words and his, but my mind was racing too fast with all the new information and I couldn’t focus.

  “December,” Rowan said, and a wave of calming warmth, flowed across my skin, seeming to seep through my pores and into my very bones.

  “Thanks,” I said, taking a deep breath and perching on the edge of the sofa next to him, feeling the last remnants of his magic wash over me.

  “You’re very welcome,” he said, “though, your panic is unwarranted. Did Finn seem like a tyrant to you? One you should fear?”

  I thought back to our meeting and shook my head. Finn had been friendly, forthcoming and incredibly kind. Just like Rowan had always been.

  I cocked my head at him, asking “Are you royalty, too?”

  He laughed. “Heavens, no. Finn and I are extended cousins, but I have no claim to the throne.”

  I smiled, but it quickly fell. His words triggered something inside me and I started to shake.

  “Easton,” I whispered.

  “Yes,” Rowan answered, you are correct in that assumption. “Easton is the heir to the Sylphid throne. One day, he will be king.”

  “Hey.”

  I was running around the perimeter of the gym when Easton fell into step beside me with that greeting. I nodded, mouthing a response, but no sound came out. My voice refused to work.

  I knew I was being stupid when I scurried into Sociology at the last second and was the first one out the door when it was over. I had no clue what to say to Easton, no explanation for the sudden loss of our easygoing rapport.

  What was I going to say? Oh, sorry. I found out you’re slated to inherit the kingdom one day and I can’t take that kind of pressure?

  Eas
ton suddenly veered to the right, forcing me along with him. We ended up in large storage closet filled with sparring equipment. He grabbed my forearm, pulling my attention away from gear hanging on the walls.

  “What’s wrong?” he demanded.

  “Nothing,” I said, pulling from his grasp and crossing my arms over my chest.

  “You’re lying,” he accused. Before I could act offended, he added, “Your colors are all wrong.” His eyes skittered around my head and shoulders. “I can tell you’re nervous and…something else.” His eyes probed the air around me again. “There’s unease. Almost like fear.” His eyes narrowed as they met mine. “Are you scared of me?”

  “No,” I said, my tone a little too sharp. “No,” I repeated in a calmer voice.

  “What’s changed?” he asked, and I swore I saw a vulnerability in his eyes that I’d never seen before.

  I knew I needed to get a grip. Easton and I had been training together for weeks. We hung out outside of class and shared a few brief kisses. I knew we were a little more than just friends.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, my shoulders drooping. “It’s so stupid.”

  “What is?” he asked.

  I swallowed, hard, and said, “I found out yesterday that Finn Oberon is an actual king.”

  Easton’s expression didn’t change, save for a quick twitch of one eye.

  “Yes, my grandfather is king,” he confirmed.

  “And one day, you’ll inherit the crown.”

  His head tilted to the side, his eyes roving over the air around my head and shoulders once more. After a few seconds, his gaze met mine, one eyebrow arched.

  “You know, that fact is what usually makes people want to get close to me. Wealth, power, the promise of one day being queen…it’s a very strong pull. But you look terrified, like I might have to stop you from bolting out of here at any moment.”

  The word “queen” echoed over and over in my head. I could never be a queen. I couldn’t even access my magic at will. The need to escape coursed through me as my breathing accelerated.

  “Hey,” Easton said, his voice soft and reassuring as he stepped toward me. “I was only kidding. December, relax.”

  He circled his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. I rested my cheek against his shoulder, but my body remained stiff as panic still engulfed me. Easton’s palms flattened against my back, rubbing soothing circles as he whispered words into my hair.

  “If I were ever to become king,” he said, “it would be in, like, four hundred years, December. You’re freaking out over nothing. We’re kids, and we have a lot of time to just be kids.”

  I didn’t know if he was using magic, or if just his words alone were the reason, but I felt the panic ebb out of me. He was right. We were just kids. And by the time he was ready to be king, I’d be a nothing but a memory. A blip in history.

  And I was suddenly very aware of his body plastered against mine, his warm hands creeping closer and closer to my ass as he rubbed circles across my back. My nose was pressed against the warm skin of his neck, his heavenly scent filling my nostrils. Of its own volition, my tongue struck out to wet my lips, its tip brushing against his throat.

  Easton inhaled sharply, his body going tense though his hands continued their comforting path up and down my back. The taste of his skin lingered on my tongue, making me want more. My insecurities balked against making a move, begging me to wait and see what Easton would do.

  But my body had other plans, the strength of my attraction far stronger than that of my self-doubt. I wanted a real taste of him, and heat coursed through me as I imagined licking my way across his body.

  His own temperature seemed to spike in time with mine, making the heat almost unbearable. I wanted to squirm out of his embrace to find relief from it, but instead, my arms crept up around his neck and my fingers tangled in his hair. Tightening my grip on the white-blonde strands, I tilted his head to the side and pressed my open mouth to his neck.

  It was like some spirit had taken over my body, turning me into an insatiable vixen. I sucked at his skin before running my tongue across the spot. He tasted like heaven, all salty and sweet and everything in between.

  A groan vibrated in his chest as one hand slipped down to cup my ass and the other tangled in my hair. Pulling me even tighter against him, he twisted my head to the side and ravaged my mouth, his tongue demanding entrance as soon as his lips crashed against mine.

  This was not like his previous sweet, exploratory kisses. It was raw and full of passion, and my heartrate skyrocketed as I realized he had lost his usual stoic control. A heady sense of power rippled through me, and I gripped his hair tighter and kissed him harder.

  Easton tore away from me, speaking between panted breaths. “We…should…stop.”

  I rubbed a palm down my arm, chasing away the chill I felt at his sudden absence. Logically, I knew he was right. We were in a storage closet in the middle of gym class. Anyone could have walked in at any moment. Emotionally, though, I felt a slight sting of rejection.

  “Don’t,” he said, pulling me into his arms again and pressing my cheek against his chest. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t say I wanted to stop. I said we should stop.”

  I nodded against his chest. As the heat of passion ebbed out of me, I quickly filled back up with mortification. I’d acted like some sex-craved hussy. Easton probably thought I was desperate for attention.

  “December,” he said, his voice cutting through my turbulent thoughts, “I can see the colors of regret and shame glowing around you now. What’s going on in your head?”

  He pulled back and gripped my chin gently, forcing me to look into his eyes. They were filled with concern, and I felt tears sting in the corners of my eyes. I fought against the sting and swallowed thickly.

  “I don’t know,” I hedged, but he just stared me down while refusing to release his grip on me. Knowing I couldn’t lie to him, I admitted the truth. “I’m embarrassed. I don’t know what came over me and now I’m afraid of what you must think of me.”

  My face heated with that admission, but my gaze remained steady on Easton’s. His mouth fell open as his eyes widened.

  “What I think? December, I think you’re amazing. You’re smart, and kind, and gorgeous. You intrigued me from the beginning and the closer I get, the closer I want to get. I’ve been holding back because I thought that’s what you wanted. What you needed. This,” he said, motioning between us, “is what I’ve wanted from the beginning. What I’ve imagined over and over in my head. I’ve just been waiting for you to get there.”

  He pressed his lips to mine, gently this time, before pulling back to look at me. I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from turning up with pleasure. He smiled back at me, and the effect nearly took my breath away. He was so beautiful.

  “I said the right thing?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.

  “Yeah,” I said with a chuckle. “You said the perfect thing.”

  He kissed me again and I could feel the smile on his lips. When he pulled back, I dropped my hands from him and started to turn toward the door.

  “Well, I guess we should get back to class before we’re missed,” I said.

  “December wait,” Easton said, his hand snaking out to grip mine. “Don’t go yet.”

  I waited for him to explain as a ruddy color tinged his cheekbones. He looked embarrassed and as the seconds of silence ticked by, I started to panic.

  “It’s okay,” I mumbled. “We can leave separately if you’re embarrassed to be seen leaving here with me.”

  He squeezed his eyes closed, letting out a frustrated groan before popping them back open.

  “I am not ashamed of anything, December, especially not you. I would be proud to have you walk by my side, always. Believe me, the other guys here regret not offering to be your gym partner before I did.”

  I didn’t know if I believed that, but it was sweet of him to say it.

  “Then what’s wrong
?” I asked.

  He rubbed a palm against the back of his neck, saying, “Well, your wings sort of popped out when I kissed you.”

  I looked over my shoulder, twisting around in a circle like a dog chasing its tail, and sure enough, my big black wings fluttered behind me. I hadn’t even noticed, being so wrapped up in Easton and his amazing lips.

  “What am I going to do?” I asked, panic working its way through my veins.

  “Stop,” Easton said, gripping my shoulders. “I didn’t want to let you walk out of here without knowing they were visible, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think you should. You shouldn’t try to hide who you are, December, and these wings are part of who you are. Besides, I think they’re beautiful.”

  “But they’re black,” I hissed, unwilling to let his flattery soothe me.

  He spun me around and held me in place, and I could feel his eyes burning a path across my back.

  “Yes, they’re black. But they have these thin streaks of silver through them. A silver that reflects the other colors around them. God, I wish you could see it. It’s breathtaking.”

  I felt his breath on the back of my neck a split second before his lips brushed against the spot. Then I was spinning again. When I stopped, I was facing him, and his lips pressed against mine firmly.

  “Let’s go,” he said when he pulled back, lacing the fingers of one hand through mine. “I’m right here beside you, December.”

  I read the extra meaning in his words and hoped I wasn’t imagining it. He was right beside me in that moment, yes, but it felt like he meant more. Like he’d stay by my side. Always have my back.

  No matter what.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  27

  “…and now I can’t get them to pop back in.”

  I was in Rowan’s office, pacing back and forth with my wings fluttering behind me. I’d given him the short version of what had happened in gym, leaving out all the steamy bits. I’d gotten a few curious stares as Easton and I had left the gymnasium, but it seemed having him by my side really was a godsend. No one said a word.