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“What girlfriend?” he asked lightly. “Francesca,” I said, trying to step away from him but he held on tight. He grinned wickedly. “You're jealous.”
“She's not my girlfriend.” His thumb skated across my inner thigh, feather-light, lasting only a moment, but the reaction was pure chemical. His skin was weaponised, and I was the victim of his lethal touch. “She's not?” I asked and he shook his head.
“I'm going to go now,” I said with about as much conviction as he’d used. “Are you?” he asked, his free hand sliding around my waist, his fingers curling, reeling me in as he stepped further between my legs. “I am,” I said, breathless, desperate. And not to leave. But to touch him without fear of what would happen if we crossed this line on school property. Of the trouble we'd both be in if anyone ever found out.
We were baiting each other. This was inevitable. He knew it. I knew it. And frankly, we were fooling ourselves to believe we hadn't already crossed a threshold into forbidden territory on multiple occasions.
“If you don't kiss me, I'll go mad,” his voice rumbled through his chest and a magnetic heat tugged me toward him.
Orion moved to follow, sweeping me along with him by pressing a hand to the base of my spine. His fingers circled for half a second, then he shot away after Nova at double speed. I felt him everywhere for a lasting moment, then he was painfully absent all at once.
As I looked over at the Heirs’ couch, I found Darius looking right back at me and my heart leapt in surprise. I couldn’t really figure out the look he was giving me but something about it made me feel uncomfortable.
“Can I have my underwear back now?”
Caleb pulled my red panties from his pocket and gave me a teasing smile. “Hmmm, I think these would make a good consolation prize for me,” he objected.
“Principal Nova has just confirmed that next week, those of you who survive The Reckoning, will be taught by Professor Nox who has recently decided to take up a profession in teaching. He has the gift of true sight which means he sees actual glimpses of the future from time to time and despite his young age he qualified at the top of his class so I’m sure he will be an adequate replacement for me.
“What does The Empress even mean anyway?” “She’s associated with all things maternal,” Sofia explained instantly. “She often represents the creation of life, pregnancy, romance-”
In the Palace of Souls, rests a secret untold. Find the light who burned on after the fire...
“The Palace of Souls is your family’s palace,” she said slowly. “You know, where the Savage King and the Queen lived before they were killed...”
At that moment, Darius appeared. He strolled straight towards us, and heat rose in my cheeks as his gaze landed on me. I felt ridiculously awkward around him after last night and I had zero intention of talking to him now.
“You can have them back if you promise to spend tonight at Terra House with me,” Caleb called.
“Oh my god, you should have seen his face when you turned your back on him,” she said on a laugh. “I think you really pissed him off.”
He’s shouting about us hooking up in front of the whole damn school. I’m not his girlfriend and it’s no one else’s business what we get up to. Plus, he stole my underwear so...” I shrugged, not wanting to admit that Darius was actually the one who’d rattled me.
As his hand closed around the box, he was suddenly torn away from me and thrown forcefully onto the hard floor. The box went skittering away across the lobby and shock replaced my amusement as I found Orion standing beyond him.
Orion looked slightly confused by his own actions, backing up and scooping my package from the floor - which was thankfully still in its delivery box so he couldn’t see what it was. I moved to take it from him, but Diego caught hold of my hand, pulling me back protectively. Orion eyed the interaction with a burning intensity in his gaze, his muscles twitching as if he was about to lunge at my friend again.
“Dear diary,” Orion taunted. “Today I was almost murdered by my asshole Cardinal Magic professor. I won't backchat him ever again because the next time I do I think I'll end up in a body bag for real.” He moved to step away then paused, leaning close once more with a calculating grin. “P.S. I have a major crush on Darcy Vega, but she doesn't seem to realise it. I wonder what she'll say when she finds out.” He strolled out of the door into the storm, and I stared after him in utter shock.
He bit into his hand, and I winced as he sank his teeth in so deep he drew blood. That is so not the way I would have chosen to do it.
Fae hair dye was incredible. My hair shimmered like stars when it caught the light and was as deep blue as a twilight sky. I'd coloured it all over, every last hair. And as I ran my fingertips through my soft locks, my heart began to beat harder again. Blue means you like me. I did like him. And I boldly, proudly wanted him to know it.
Your stars are in perfect harmony with a Libra today and now would be a good time to address any issues between the two of you. It will be almost impossible not to enjoy this day if you follow your intuition.
I waited for a reply, and he gave me one in the form of a photo which made my heart nearly give up on life. He was propped up in bed with a Numerology book in one hand, shirtless and giving me that sideways smile that made me want to just...gah. A message swiftly followed. Lance: Reading... I'm sure I don't need to remind you to delete that picture. What are you doing? (photographic answers are highly encouraged)
Darcy: You don't deserve a photo because you were rude to my friend earlier. Lance: Polaris was asking for trouble. Plus he had his hands all over you so you can blame the Vampire Code. I have to protect my Source. P.S. What am I gonna have to do to earn this picture?
A flush of heat took over my body as I realised this was so not about the Vampire Code. Diego hadn't been anything of a threat to me. Darcy: You can have a picture if you tell me the real reason you attacked Diego.
Lance: Fine. Seeing another guy's hands on you makes me want to rip out their eyes so they never get to look at you again.
I started laughing, knowing I probably shouldn't. Diego definitely hadn't deserved to be shoved to the floor, but I couldn't deny how good it felt knowing Orion was possessive over me like that. Lance: It's nature, baby ;) Where's my photo?
Lance: Shit, how did you know about my pillowcase fetish?
Darcy: I made a decision about my hair. You're not allowed to see it. Lance: Hang on, why am I not allowed? Is it green or blue? Or am I way off base? Please tell me you haven't got a mohawk like Max Rigel. Although, I'd probably still want you just as much. I certainly did when that fuckwit Capella took your hair.
I was nowhere near falling in love with Orion, but I already felt a thousand times more chemistry with him than I ever had with my ex. Orion made me want to jump in the deep end of this desire headfirst without question. And though I was completely terrified of that, it also made me feel incredibly alive.
The door yanked open, and Orion stood there bare chested in nothing but black sweatpants, looking ready to berate the person knocking on his door late at night. He stared at me with his mouth parted, his throat bobbing as he processed me standing on his doorstep with soaked blue hair and raindrops clinging to my cheeks.
“Blue,” I answered his ongoing question on a breath that rose before me in a cloud of vapour, knowing that it meant far more than that. That I'd just told him I wanted him. And in turn, agreed to this dangerous affair.
“Give a guy a second. One minute I'm messaging you wishing I could have you right here, and the next thing...” He leaned in, kissing the corner of my mouth and I melted. Or that was what it felt like anyway. As if there wasn't a single solid organ in my body. “Here you are.”
“I don't want to get you into trouble,” I whispered, sliding my hands up his arms to rest lightly on his shoulders. It still felt like we were hovering on that line between doing this and not doing it. I could still walk away, and I wouldn't put him at risk of losing his job and so much more. But this connection between us was undeniably powerful and I didn't think I could leave until he point blank refused me.
“Orion,” I warned, determined to get my answer. “Lance,” he corrected. “And I know the risks.”
“But do you?”
He deepened our kiss, his tongue hesitantly stroking mine and the barriers suddenly came crashing down between us. Our magic merged at every point of contact and his tongue sank deeper into my mouth, a desperate groan escaping him which was echoed by my moan. My legs trembled as he hoisted me up to sit on the back of the couch and he stepped between my thighs, his fingertips skating up to the edges of my shorts. His touch was as possessive as his magic swimming in my blood, the rush of all that power making me dizzy. He was claiming me, and I claimed him right back.
“I want you to the point of pain, Blue.”
The forceful magnet in my chest finally reunited with its other half and sent a rocket of pure pleasure down my spine. I need him this close. I can't get enough of it.
“I hope you brought your peach,” Lance said, and a laugh tumbled from my throat as I leaned away. “You're such an asshole,” I thumped his shoulder and he chuckled, his hands sliding beneath the waistband at the back of my shorts. “I know.”
“Don't stop,” I answered it firmly, my heart hammering so loud he could certainly hear it. “I want this.” His eyes glittered at my words, and he wet his mouth. “Show me how much,” he growled, and electricity coursed up my spine.
“Stay still,” he commanded thickly as he continued his delicious torture.
I nodded then a tingling warmth spread out beneath the hot press of his hand, driving through me in a blaze. I gasped as the magic swept into me and his eyes locked with mine as I realised he must have done the spell he'd been teaching us in class.
“I'm gonna lose my mind over you,” he gasped, burying himself inside me and everything became too hot as he struck that sensitive place once more.
His thumb brushed my lower lip and my eyes fluttered open. I fell into the deep well of darkness awaiting me in his gaze. I'd never noticed before, but his eyes weren't quite black after all, they were deepest admiral blue, holding a galaxy of light in them.
I've not even been here a term and I just fucked a teacher.
“Talk to me, Blue,” he urged. I rolled over, leaning on his chest as he curled his arm around me and held me close. “Was this a mistake?” I whispered, hating the way he winced when I said it. “Not to me,” he said in an anxious tone. “Was it for you?”
“If we ever get caught, I'll do everything in my power to ensure you don't get expelled,” he said seriously, a deep crease forming on his brow.
“Plans are the best way to make the stars laugh,” Orion pointed out with a playful grin. “Well, let them laugh.” I smiled and his eyes dropped to my mouth with a heady lust falling over his expression again.
