by Kenna Bardot
“Hey.” Vali’s soft voice made my head turn to look at him. “I’m proud of you. I always knew you were strong. You just never let anyone else see that side of you. I’m glad you are now.”
I grinned at him. “Even if it means you don’t get laid?”
He shrugged. “Not even the worst case scenario. Pia is not the only person I can enjoy having sex with. There are other people who can get me off.”
“And best case?” I dared to ask.
“You’ll let me show you exactly why Pia doesn’t want to share me.” He pressed further into me, shifting so that my body turned away from him, and he could turn us to face the stacks of books. “Come on, Little Bird.” He nuzzled into me, tickling up the side of my neck with that thick, soft bottom lip and the stubble on his chin.
I shuddered in his hold, loving the feel of those hard, broad muscles pressed against my softer body. “I shouldn’t.”
“You didn’t promise them anything,” he reminded me, and I whimpered at the feeling of his teeth nipping my neck as his hand wrapped around my waist from the front to linger at my hip bone. So close to where I wanted his touch that I squirmed against him, and he groaned.
“Kaia Wren?” Alec Gaius asked, and I jolted away from Vali with a curse. Or tried to, anyway. Vali didn’t move - aside from turning his head to smirk vindictively at Alec Gaius.
“It’s time to go, Kaia Wren.” Alec Gaius’ nose flared as he stared at us.
I glared at him, and he had the gall to glare back at me. The ass. How he could judge me when he’d had another girl draped over him was beyond me.
“I’m good,” I said with a smile.
“You’re good?” His eyebrows raised with disbelief.
“I’m going to stay in my room tonight. I need to catch up with Lottie. Girl time. I’m sure you know all there is to know about girls.”
Alec nodded, seeming to trust that I wasn’t in the mood for his charm. But I wasn’t going to escape easily because Ronan stepped into the room, casting his eyes around the space and between the three of us, calculation on his face.
“Then I’ll walk you,” Alec offered.
“Vali will walk me.”
“Like Hell he will,” Ronan growled, closing the space between us. He drew me from Vali’s body, picked me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and walked out of the stacks.
“Emers, grab her shit,” he ordered, strolling out like it was of no consequence to him.
“Put me down!” I yelled as he made his way to their room despite my wishes.
“You wanna tell me what you were doing alone with Madden, and why Alec Gaius allowed it?” He opened their door and closed it behind him, leaving the two of us alone until Alec Gaius found his way there.
“Alec was too busy to notice,” I hissed at him. I gave him a swift jab with my knee and connected with his ribs. He barely reacted and threw me on top of the bed.
“Doing what exactly?” Ronan stripped his shirt over his head, crawling into the bed to lay next to me and pull me on top of him so he could look at me. His hands on my hips held me grounded. I knew from experience that if Ronan didn’t want me to move, I wouldn’t move. So I didn’t bother trying.
“Flirting with Pia’s roommate.” I couldn’t even look at him as I answered. “I understand you guys don’t owe me anything. You didn’t make me any promises, and that’s fine. But you don’t get to dictate who I do or do not fuck if we’re open like that.”
“Open? Woman, you think this relationship is open?” he growled, fingers tightening on the flesh of my ass. I was going to get bruises. I was sure.
“I-well yes. Alec Gaius made that pretty clear with the way he was with Wella.”
“What part of me telling you that you and Alec were mine was unclear?” I shuddered at the glint of fury in his grey eyes as he stared up at me. I couldn’t lie though, part of the shudder was feeling the way he hardened inside his uniform pants.
“I don’t know,” I mumbled, my voice failing me as tears gathered in my eyes. “You both have a reputation you can’t deny. I just thought it would only be a matter of time before you moved on to your next passing fancy.” I’d barely finished that last word, when my stomach flipped. I was suddenly airborne, my back hitting the mattress with a soft thud as Ronan loomed over me. His hand cupped my jaw tenderly as he put his forehead against mine.
“Let me be very, very clear. We are not open. Not you, not me, not Alec Gaius. For that matter, I will not be held accountable for my actions if someone crosses the line and touches what is mine without my permission.” Even though his touch was tender, that fury still burned in those eyes so close to my own.
“And what happens if someone touches you without my permission?” My voice was a whisper, but I knew I’d hit a point when his eyes flashed.
“You haven’t been paying attention if you think I’d ever let that happen.” My breath hitched, and I threw my arms around his neck and crushed his remaining weight down to me.
“I thought I was already losing you both.” I cried into his neck, feeling his hands clench around me. The door opened, and Alec Gaius strode in. He scowled at us.
“What were you doing with Madden?” Alec Gaius’ voice was cold. Ronan leapt up from the bed, crushing Alec against the closed door with a growl. His hand wrapped around his throat, and I gasped, but Ronan did nothing more than use the hold to force Alec Gaius to still and submit to his will.
“She was unprotected because you were too busy trying to get in another woman’s pants.” Even soft and controlled, there was no hiding the warning in Ronan’s voice.
Alec stared up at him in horror. “What? Is that what you thought I was doing?” He turned his eyes to me, and I gave a small nod with a shrug.
“You made my woman cry,” Ronan seethed.
“Kaia Wren, baby, I’m so sorry. I just didn’t even think. Neither of us have ever even considered doing the relationship thing. I’m just so used to flirting so talking to her that way just felt like habit. Nothing more.” Alec strained against Ronan’s hand, but the bigger man did not let up.
“You let her touch you,” I accused, sitting up in bed and curling my knees to my chest. My uniform suffocated me, and I wanted nothing more than to take it off. My skin needed air, needed to breathe. “She and Pia have been crueler to me than anyone else here at InkHaven and for no other reason that they don’t like me, and you let her put her hands on you in front of me. I felt disrespected and thrown aside, Alec Gaius.”
“I never would have let it progress, but I’ll work on the flirting thing. Especially with her.” Ronan glared at him one last time before releasing his throat, stepping back and seeming satisfied.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Alec said, coming over to pull me into his side for a hug. “While we’re on the subject, Madden is an issue for me. I’m sure you’ve gathered that.”
“He’s important to me,” I admitted. “I’ve known him since I was a girl, and he kept me sane for most of my childhood. I can’t just turn my back on that.” I glanced at Ronan’s clenched jaw and felt Alec Gaius tense.
“It’s not uncommon for a woman to be in a relationship with ten guys if they wanted, Kaia Wren. I’m sure Ronan and I would be content to add more guys to our group, but only if we’re all in agreement about them. It needs to be a group decision.”
“We’ll never get there with Madden,” Ronan added, always oh-so-blunt.
I nodded. “I know that.” And I really did, but that didn’t mean it didn’t suck for me. “There’s a difference between expecting you guys to fuck around with him and let him fuck me and just wanting to have him in my life as a friend. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“Then you need to get him on the same page as you. We’ll tolerate it for you, so long as he doesn’t cross the line we set.” I was surprised Alec Gaius would make that concession for me, seeing as his hatred of Madden seemed so all-consuming.
“Why do you two hate each other so much?” I ran my fingers throu
gh his hair, and he nearly purred in contentment. That was one thing I was rapidly learning about my guys. They may have had no lack of sex, but they were truly starved for physical affection.
“I honestly don’t even remember when it started. It’s been this way for as long as I can remember,” Alec Gaius admitted with a shrug as I scooted back to lean against the headboard. Alec laid his head on my lap, letting me massage his scalp as he spoke with his eyes closed.
“Alec Gaius has always been at the top of our class. Madden wants that spot. And, to be honest, he could probably swing it if he tried.” Ronan shrugged.
“That’s really all it is? Competition for something that won’t matter once you leave this stupid school?”
“Competition that has built over years of animosity,” Alec Gaius corrected, and I smiled down at him.
I’d thought it something much more serious. “Boys are weird,” I said with a chuckle.
“Pia’s hatred for you stems from jealousy and competition,” Alec Gaius pointed out.
“Nobody asked you.” I smiled. “You’re much prettier when you don’t talk.”
Ronan laughed, two perfect dimples popping out, as he joined us on the bed pressing his lips to Alec Gaius even while he fought his own smile.
✽✽✽
“Ok, class, that’s it. Remember, for 3rd years and up, you get to go to a temple once the snow melts. For the rest, you will keep on having discussions before we go outside Order premises. All first years, Ink and Air, please stay. All second years, please follow Docent Murphy to the adjoining room.”
I stood from the cushion we sat on during Worship class. We formed a line to pile out of the room and, somehow, I found myself standing next to Mar. Since she’d just recently ambushed me in the library, I smiled at her. “Hi.”
“Hi, Kaia. Where you off to after this?”
“Discussion. I’m a second year now.”
She frowned. “They really screwed you over with that didn’t they?”
“Guess I’m too old so they figure I’d be able to take it. Ouch,” I cried out softly as Wella Smith plowed straight into me as she passed me to walk on ahead. “Speaking of screwing me over.”
She laughed. “I’m sure you can handle someone like that.”
“Sure, I can. Nice seeing you again, Mar. I have to go.” I rushed off and barely made it into the classroom before the door was shut.
“I’m glad you’re all here,” he spoke in his deep, gravelly tone. “Let us discuss sacrifices. Who is usually sacrificed in temples and how?”
Pia’s roommate oh-so-helpfully turned in her seat to face me with a smug grin on her face. Alec had, after having his cock sucked to peak pleasure, finally admitted that she’d asked him to ‘show her a good time’ that day in the library. Since he’d flat out rejected her and for me, her torture of me had since escalated to cruel levels.
“Those who are worthy, Docent Murphy. If they aren’t worthy, then they just go into the Waiting Land as unwanted Inkeds.”
“That is correct. The head priest or priestess of a temple chooses one Inked every month who deserve to meet their rebirth locked into the reborn chamber of the appropriate Zeevar temple. It is a momentous occasion and the next greatest honor only after being invited to become an Order member.”
“But not everyone deserves to be an Order member do they, Docent?”
“That is correct, Miss Smith.” I wanted to sink down into my seat and hoped the floor would just swallow me whole.
It was going to be a long, horrible class.
Twelve
Kaia
Another month passed and Gaylord’s classroom began to feel more like home than my own room or even the boys’ room. Zeevar knew I spent more time there.
I trained.
And I trained.
Even during Combat class, which was a separate class for 2nd years, I had to train.
With my second exam coming the next day, Ronan’s brooding at my side only grew darker - I had no choice but to pass. He’d make me suffer if I didn’t.
How? I didn’t know but I was pretty sure if anyone could, he would.
Gaylord had invited some older students to help us in some practical training and everyone mingled and got more comfortable while he and Ronan whispered to one another at the front of the room, discussing their next strategy to help me. They’d tried everything.
Nothing worked.
While they and the rest of the class were distracted, I allowed my eyes to stray towards the weapons in the cases lining the walls, and I walked the length of the room to study them. Again, the wall with the whips called to me and though the cases were enclosed, I rested a hand on the cold, clear barrier made entirely of Air.
My classmates simply ignored me and kept talking among themselves, as Gaylord and Ronan debated. Alec Gaius was talking with one of the other students, occupied, while I had my private moment.
I liked the look of the whips, a weapon that most people considered brutal. All I saw looking at it was a thing of grace, skill, and discipline. These characteristics made me think of my men and everything I wanted to become myself.
My fingers ran over the case lightly. A part of me yearned to push Gale’s Air out of the way and touch. I didn’t exactly know why. Of course, I didn’t know how as well.
“Kaia!” Ronan snapped at me. “Focus, woman.”
I turned, finding Gale’s head tipped thoughtfully as he regarded me. I gave him a small smile, reluctantly stepping away from the shelves.
Ronan stood in the center of the mat empty handed, his axe resting on Gale’s desk behind him.
“In today’s combat class, you will all learn to fight without the use of your conduit nor any other weapon, really, so kindly leave your conduits on the table or you may leave them in your person, if they are small enough, provided you don’t use them during this next exercise,” Docent Porter commanded to the class, and everyone moved to follow.
“You will be paired off with one of the upper class Air students here who I have recruited to train with you. Say hello, lady and gentlemen.”
They were lined up behind Gale and said hello dutifully. Vali sent me a wink, and I smiled at him. Alec Gaius threw him a glare and nudged Ronan. Together, they scowled at me. Remembering what we’d agreed on, I winged an eyebrow up at them. Smiling was not flirting or promising sex to Vali Madden. Gale cleared his throat although there was a tiny smile on his face. I was quite glad we could amuse him.
“I’ll be pairing you all off. Miss Smith, you’re with Mr. Madden.” I giggled. Vali didn’t look happy at the choice, though Wella grinned.
“Mr. Vasel, you’re with Mr. Williamson.” Alec Gaius broke off to join a tall, gangly brown-haired guy he seemed to be friendly with since they shook hands.
“Miss Shaw, you’re with Mr. Daniels.” I jolted and whatever light-hearted delight I’d been feeling earlier was gone in a snap to be replaced with nerves. I bit it back but knew it wasn’t bound to be pretty - Ronan was never any fun when he was given the opportunity to torment me. I tuned out the rest of what Gale was saying as I sent a longing look to my sword but understood why Gale wanted us not to use any weapons. They could easily be taken or lost so it was a good idea to learn how to fight without them.
Ronan stepped up to me and tracked my gaze to land on my sword. He grunted, “You should take it.”
“No. Docent Porter specifically said we weren’t allowed to have a weapon or conduit for today’s training session.”
“Just do it. I’ll deal with Porter.” He crossed his arms around his chest to look intimidating.
It worked.
I scurried off to pick my sword up, unholstering it, and held it in my hand, grateful that I could already hold it up quite easily.
“Are you sure, Ronan? You don’t have a weapon or a conduit. What if I hurt you?”
He laughed at me with his eyebrows raised. “Woman, you stand as much chance of hurting me today as you do flying.”
&nb
sp; I winced, even though his words were true. They stung, but I nodded anyway. I tightened my grip on my sword rather than say something and just annoy Ronan even more.
“Connect,” he ordered, and I focused on that tiny breath of something deep within me, but as always nothing came. There was no dramatic reveal, nothing to indicate I was a Mage at all, Air or otherwise.
“Connect!” Ronan bellowed, lashing out so fast I barely saw him move before his foot latched around my ankle. I landed on my back and his face swam before me. Gale walked up and grabbed Ronan’s shoulder.
“Stop.” He glared at Ronan, who just glared back. Unlike everyone else, Gale seemed unaffected by the look and just stared back down at me. “Lose the sword, Miss Shaw. Not only did I tell the class not to use weapons and conduits, which means you disobeyed my specific orders, but you’re more likely to stab yourself than connect if that’s what you’re planning on doing,” he explained to the hulking beast that towered over me. I nodded and scrambled to my feet, putting some distance between us. I stowed my sword back into its holster and took a deep breath before walking back to Ronan. When I came back, Gale gave me a tight-lipped nod before walking off without giving Ronan another glance.
“I’m ready,” I lied to Ronan.
I blocked a hit from connecting with my stomach, and even in my haste to block the next one I knew he wasn’t using even near his full strength. Regardless, it hurt.
His forearms swept my legs out from under me, and I landed on my back again so hard that the wind blew from my lungs, and I wheezed.
“Zeevar, Ronan that’s too-”
“If I wanted your opinion, I would ask for it Alec Gaius. Focus on your own shit,” Ronan hissed back. “Get up.”
I turned to see Alec Gaius casting us worried glances, but I focused on sparring with Ronan. I needed to. I could vaguely hear the sounds of the other students sparring but, somehow, I felt they were laughing at my expense, at my failures.
I was humiliated but more, I was angry. I stood back up for what felt like the millionth time, shoving at Ronan’s chest uselessly. “What the fuck?!”