by Meg Xuemei X
However, despite his incredible package, my heart didn’t stutter for him, not as it beat for every one of my mates. Their presence always punched my stomach and sucked the air out of my lungs. I had never told them that and would never tell them this little secret of mine.
Noah smiled brilliantly, its voltage high and bright, and involuntary gasps vomited from the class. Everyone gazed at the mage with that kind of silly, dreaming adoration that bordered on idol worship.
Yet he hadn’t tried to enthrall them. If he had, I would have sensed it. Just as when Lorcan had tried to enthrall me with his vampire power, and I’d put the vampire lord in his place.
Evidently, Noah had a natural charm. How could a mage have such power? Alaric was a demigod, yet even he wasn’t as magnetic as Noah.
But still my pulse didn’t rise above normal, unlike the way I reacted to my mates every fucking second.
I was immune to Noah’s lure.
His stunning smile dimmed a notch as he realized I wasn’t responding to his presence like others.
While everyone widened their wild eyes, I narrowed my suspicious ones at Noah.
“Why do you have to track me?” I demanded. “What did I do? And who are you exactly?”
And then everyone woke up from the trance.
Hector blinked and subtly shook his head at me.
Why was Hector even worried? First, I hadn’t cursed, which was rare and should have put him at ease. Second, I wasn’t showing my usual defiance.
“How dare you talk to His Grace without bowing? You must address His Grace properly!” Helmer hissed at my audacity, waving the empty hilt up and down. He’d just bounced back from losing a magic whip, and then was overwhelmed by the visit of the High Council member.
Now he just grated on my nerves.
“Kneeling and bowing are for weasels like you,” I spat. “I, Cass Saélihn, stand under the sky in my own right. I don’t bow or kneel to anyone—mortals, immortals, or gods.”
The class was once again shocked into silence. Well, they’d been quiet ever since Noah walked into the room. It was as if his power, even hidden, dwarfed everyone. And they sure felt it, even though they couldn’t perceive it as I did.
There was a hint of a smile on Hector’s lips, his fingers twitching. The brave, loyal warrior was ready to pull his sword and defend me. Anytime.
“How dare you—” Helmer gathered his metal magic.
“You need to expand your vocabulary, dude,” I said as if bored.
“Silence, Helmer,” Noah said. “You won’t speak unless spoken to. I won’t take kindly of anyone disturbing my conversation with Cass again.”
Helmer’s face paled, and his eyes grew round before he dropped his gaze to the ground. “Yes, Your Grace. I apologize.”
Noah honed in on me like a magnifying glass above the tips of matches.
“That’s too intense,” I told him. “Turn down your headlight.”
Noah only smiled. “I heard a lot about you, Cass.”
“From who?” I asked suspiciously and defensively. “I’m kind of new here.”
He laughed—a sound musical, sexy, and enchanting—and once again everyone else, including Amber, was utterly captivated.
“There was a commotion in the square earlier,” Noah said. “Everyone is talking about a two-tone-eyed girl who can spew fire.”
“It wasn’t my fault,” I said, trying to stand taller, but my height wasn’t helping nor was my speaking volume. But I managed to gaze at the giant in front of me by tilting my head at the right angle. I was getting better at looking down at people taller than me. “Your big gang of ten was bullying my sheep friend here.” I jerked a thumb toward Amber. “It wasn’t a fair fight, so I stepped in to even the odds.”
An amused smile danced in Noah’s green eyes. “It was a gang of six not ten.”
I had exaggerated a bit, but I hadn’t expected him to check the numbers. Didn’t he have better things to do as an important High Council member rather than correcting my math?
“But I was still impressed by how you turned one of the prettiest high fae ladies bald,” Noah said. “Mellissa comes from an esteemed family from the Sihde court. She’s never suffered such humiliation all her life. And she’s traumatized.”
“I had to return the fire to her since the cun—” I stopped in the middle since Hector was now shaking his head violently. “The bit—” Hector was still shaking his head. I gave up. “The wench was trying to mar my perfect skin.” I flicked my hair. “If I let her, I’d have to wear a wig forever. So when it comes to being bald, better her than me. And it’s easy to fix her PTSD. Don’t you have a shrink, considering the size of the Academy? I’m sure her family has enough money to afford one. I’ve done research. The top shrink’s fee is around five hundred an hour. She can even bargain for a discount.”
I’d learned about the shrinks’ fees when I’d dream-visited the mortal realm. But that was a few years ago. They might have raised the price after the gods had come. I was a bit worried the information might be outdated, though Noah might not know that.
Helmer gaped at me, jaw dropping, then he made the sign of the cross over his gray and red robe, which was very improper. I wasn’t even a demon. He should make that sign before Celeb since he was a half-demon, but then Celeb might behead him.
I was too nice.
“This girl is going to destroy our way of life,” Helmer said. “She has no respect for any rules. She’ll disturb every possible order, which is the only thing we can hold onto. She can’t stay in the Academy. She must be expelled.”
“That’s not for you to decide,” Hector said coldly. “Lady Cassandra Saélihn belongs to Prince Reysalor and Prince Pyrder. And both Prince Reysalor and Pyrder are High Council members as well.”
“I doubt the princes would mind getting rid of a new pet for the future of the Academy,” Helmer said. “Prince Reysalor is particularly known for being practical.”
“Careful, Helmer,” Hector said. “If you attempt again to lay a finger on Prince Reysalor and Prince Pyrder’s one and true mate, you’ll lose that hand.”
Color drained from Helmer’s face. “The princes would pick that girl as their mate? It’s impossible. It must be infatuation, and their fancy will pass. I’ll report this to the Council, and the majority votes rule. I won’t put up with this horror. We’ve never stood for behavior even less obnoxious than this girl’s.”
My eyes went wide, and I gaped, not at Helmer’s threat but Hector’s statement. I stared at the fierce fae warrior. I hadn’t expected him to announce me as his princes’ mate, since I thought my mates would want to keep it a secret. I was even more shocked that Hector was proud of me, though I was barbaric and ridiculous most of the time.
Next time, I would let him have a small slice of my cake.
But my heart still sank. I couldn’t turn the unfortunate event around. I had no redeemable quality, and my days in the Academy were over. Being kicked out of the school on the first day might have set a record, but it wasn’t something to brag about.
It could be worse. I comforted myself.
At least, I was still a free woman walking.
“Enough, Helmer,” Noah said. “Utter one more word against Lady Cass and I’ll have you removed from the Academy that instant, personally. And Lady Cass is going nowhere. She’s staying.”
I blinked, as did Helmer. Both of us had a hard time believing what we’d heard from the High Council member.
I recovered faster and pumped my fist in the air. “Yes!” I shouted. “Thank you, Your Grace Noah.”
He chuckled. “You can just call me Noah.”
“Fine, if you insist,” I said, grinning at him. It turned out that he was on my side. “If it pleases you, next time I won’t make Mellissa bald. It was too late to undo it now. Next time I’ll just remove her eyebrows, as a courtesy to you.”
Amber gasped with the rest of the class.
I turned to the sheep with an arched eye
brow. “You have a better idea?”
Noah roared with belly laughter. “You’re delightful, Cass, wicked delightful. I didn’t expect it, but you’re a find of the centuries.”
Noah turned out to be the most friendly dude, besides Reyes. And he had just saved face for me and changed my fate in the Academy.
“I can be sweet,” I said, “if people don’t judge.”
“I don’t judge,” he said, his lip ends pulling up. And when he smiled like that, it felt like being bathed in spring sunlight.
My temper cooled, yet my heart still didn’t flutter for him.
“Since you mentioned earlier about changing your class curriculum,” Noah said. “I can do that for you. Why don’t we go to my house, and we’ll sort it out while having tea and cakes in the sunroom?”
My eyes sparked. “Sunroom? And what kind of cakes do you have?”
“Come and learn the mystery yourself, Cass,” he said, my name rolling like honey on his tongue, and he offered me his arm as we strolled out of the classroom.
Human mothers always warned their daughters never to go with a stranger, but I had no mother, not anymore, and Noah was hardly a stranger. Was he?
And this Noah was an enigma himself. His power was a mystery. I needed to find out more about it. I needed to test him.
“Cass,” Hector warned behind me.
The fae captain wouldn’t want me to take any male’s arm or allow any man to touch me, because I belonged to his princes, and of course, his princes’ bond brothers.
I looked over my shoulder at my entourage. “Amber, you can ask Hector to help you carry those heavy books. His hands are empty, and we can put them to use. And you two are so lucky. You get to have a piece of His Grace’s cakes, too. Stay close to me, so you won’t get lost.”
Hector glared at me.
The class scattered, but many students tried to loiter close to us. Helmer remained behind. I hoped he was repenting.
I lay my fingers on Noah’s corded arm and drew in his energy. Noah snapped his head at me, his green eyes slightly narrowing.
Just then, Pyrder rushed toward us like golden lightning, tore me from Noah, and pulled me into his arms. With me wrapped under his shoulder, he wheeled and glared at Noah.
“Where were you taking my mate, Noah?” he snarled, his usually playful turquoise eyes turning to a burning amber that seared with jealous rage.
14
When an alpha male, like each of my mates, got into a jealous fit he could do a lot of damage. The last thing I wanted was for Pyrder to lunge at Noah, only to realize it was unnecessary. I didn’t want him to get into a bad situation, as I’d always gotten myself into.
And Noah’s hidden power should not be underestimated.
Ambrosia zoomed in behind her prince, and I gave her a disapproving stare. I’d wondered where she’d gone. There she was—running to get Pyrder when she’d thought I couldn’t manage in the class. Would they ever let me handle my own shit? I gotta talk to everyone seriously and sternly tonight.
“Your Highness,” Noah smiled in acknowledgment.
“His Grace Noah kindly offered to go over the curriculum with me in a bright sunroom, Pyrder,” I said before the fae prince completely exploded. “There’ll be tea and cakes. Amber and Hector were invited, too. I need cakes, Pyrder. I had the lousiest day today.”
Pyrder frowned at me, but his face softened. “What happened?”
“Why don’t we stop by the garden and get this sorted out?” Noah said, his voice musical, smooth, and diplomatic.
Pyrder nodded at Hector and Ambrosia. He didn’t want to draw attention to us as well. And like a miracle, the area cleared out in an instant, as Noah led us toward a small garden with mostly crimson blossoms outside the classrooms.
A few mage guards, dressed in black like ninja assassins, spread out on the perimeter. They were Noah’s men. Hector and Ambrosia merged with the team to stop bystanders from nearing us.
Pyrder focused on me and completely forgot that he’d wanted to twist Noah’s head off with his bare hands. We sat around a stone table in the center of the garden.
Amber hesitated on the cobblestone walkway, and I waved for her to sit beside me.
“There’ll be cakes later. His Grace Noah promised,” I told her, and she gingerly perched on my other side, hugging her books to her chest.
Noah didn’t object but smiled at me, which confirmed that cakes would be served.
I turned to Pyrder and he dipped his head closer to listen to me.
“First, a fae chick led a gang of ten, well, six, to be accurate, to crush into Amber.” I thumbed at the girl. “This is Amber. And then they called me freak. The fae chick threw Earth fire at me to melt my face, not knowing Earth and I are buddies.”
The veins jumped on Pyrder’s temples. I put my hand on his temples to sooth the veins. “I already handled it,” I offered. “No one can play fire with me. You know that, right, Pyrder?”
He gave me a doting look and kissed my eyebrow. I looked up at him with a brighter smile.
“And then what happened, Cass baby?”
“Then I gave her back her own fire, because I didn’t want people to think I was stingy. I don’t just take. I always give. The fae chick didn’t like her own fire and left screaming with her pals. It’ll take a while for her to grow her blonde hair back. Maybe she can find a witch to help her, but it’ll cost her an arm and a leg. Her family has old money, Pyrder. That’s what I heard.”
“Mellissa won’t drop the matter,” Amber said in a small voice. “She’ll come back with a powerful backup and hit us harder.”
“Really?” I asked, delightful light glinting in my eyes. I showed her a boxing stance before leaning back against Pyrder’s chest. “That’s fantastic.”
“Bring this Mellissa to me, Ambrosia,” Pyrder said, anger rising in him again. “I’ll have a word with her.”
“No, Pyrder. People will laugh at you if you get in between a catfight,” I said.
“This isn’t merely a catfight, Cass baby,” he grated. “A gang tried to hurt you and will try again. I won’t allow it.”
“You promised,” I said. “All of you promised to let me take care of my own shit. I need test subjects anyway. Challenges can only make me better. What’s that saying? Those who can’t kill you make you stronger? Finally we have volunteers, and you want to send them away?” Then an idea hit me, and my eyes rolled slowly as I did my calculation. “On second thought, I don’t know much about how the Academy operates.” I regarded Noah, hoping he would chime in. “We might need to get a couple of lawyers.”
“What do you need attorneys for, Cass?” Noah wanted to know.
“They’ll draw the contract for me, and I’ll get Mellissa and her minions to sign an agreement. If they attack, I won’t be responsible for damage to their persons or property. There won’t be any financial compensation for them, either.”
I didn’t have any money, but I had to protect my mates’ interests. They were all loaded.
Noah threw his head back and laughed.
I frowned at him.
“Get hold of yourself, Noah,” Pyrder hissed. “My mate isn’t here for your amusement.”
“No, of course not,” Noah said, wiping a tear from the corner of his green eyes. “I haven’t laughed for a long time. Cass is such a joy. It’s refreshing she doesn’t think like any of us.”
“She doesn’t need to think or act like any of us,” Pyrder said. “My brothers and I aren’t seeking to make her conform in any way. She is who she is. She’s unique, and she’s free and wild. We’ll do whatever we can in our power to make sure that she doesn’t need to change. Ever.”
Warmth swelled in my chest. I often thought Pyrder was the shallowest one among my mates, but he often surprised me.
Then I felt spells rise around us, forming walls. Magic pricked my skin. Just before I threw all my fire to burn the spells down and bolted, Pyrder pulled me tightly against him.
; “It’s okay, Cass baby,” he said softly and kissed my temple. “They’re the sound barriers, so no one can eavesdrop on us.”
I gradually relaxed in Pyrder’s arms, especially after I discerned that the spells couldn’t confine me. I had a suspicious nature, which I couldn’t completely blame myself for, but I’d learned to trust my mates.
None of them would allow any harm to come to me or any cage to trap me.
Noah studied me with a piercing, curious gaze, but he didn’t inquire about my sudden antsiness. “Cass is the hope for all of us,” he said, light filling his gorgeous green eyes. “I’ll always support her and do whatever it takes to help her reach her potential.”
I almost rolled my eyes. Please don’t hand me another “Cass is the weapon” speech.
Pyrder’s blue eyes darkened and narrowed at Noah threateningly.
“You and your brothers aren’t the only ones who are resourceful,” Noah said softly over Pyrder’s ferocious look. “I understand your hesitation to present Cass to the Council, but eventually they need to know. We’ll bridge it together, and we’ll get Cass ready as expeditiously as possible.”
“Who’s your source?” Pyrder demanded. “And what exactly do you know?”
Noah sent Amber a glance.
I raised a hand. “I vouch for her.”
Maybe I shouldn’t have. I didn’t even know her but, somehow, I felt she was connected to me. Even though I thought she was full of shit thinking she was sent to guide me, I wanted her to be my first friend in the Academy.
Then the corner of my eye caught a movement at the edge of the garden. Rainer was here, and he was whispering to Ambrosia. She nodded, turned in our direction, and reached us in a blink.
Both vampires and fae were incredibly fast, but they moved differently. Fae used speed naturally, like they owned it; vampires, on the other hand, zoomed in on their targets as if they wanted to steal something quickly.
“Your Highness,” Ambrosia bowed to Pyrder, then to Noah. “Your Grace, Prince Reysalor and his bonded brothers would love to have you join them at Prince Pyrder’s Montage Suite.”