Chapter Nineteen
Later that night, as I perched on my bed, I groaned and grabbed my stomach. “Eva wasn’t joking when she said she’d make me eat all the food.”
Alex shut the door behind us and came to sit next to me. We were finally getting a rare moment alone since I’d returned from my mission, and already, I knew it would be too brief. I’d asked him to stay the night, but he’d declined. He didn’t want to keep me up too late, because less sleep could affect my performance during the Spy Games.
I’d wanted to argue that him not being at my side the night before the start of a massive tournament might cause me to lose sleep too, but the excuse didn’t work.
This is what I get for dating a healer. He’s always looking out for my health.
“Eva is making sure you’re prepared for the games in the best way she knows how,” Alex said. “Just like I’m about to do.”
My ears perked up, and my hands went to the buttons on his shirt. They were there for only a second before he gently grabbed them and set them back in my lap.
“Not like that, sweets.”
I pouted. “Tease.”
“At least not yet.” He winked.
Hope surged like fire in my blood, and giving in to whatever he had planned, I leaned back and propped myself up on my elbows. “So how are you going to help the Spellcasters team win against the other schools—if not by allowing me a much needed reprieve from stress?” I wagged my eyebrows, and Alex laughed.
The sound warmed my heart. Outside of classes, I hadn’t seen as much of him—or anyone, really—as I would have liked.
Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, golden vial.
My eyebrows knitted together. “What’s that?”
“Part of how I’ll keep you safe,” he said as he pulled off the top. “Hunter and I made this potion. We had to sneak into the potion room to get some of the rarer ingredients, but I think it will be worth it for the peace of mind. It’s supposed to repel vampires.”
“Oh . . .” I trailed off.
“I’d appreciate it if you took it with you to the first Spy Games event. Assess the situation, and the vamps at Nightdwellers. If you trust them and think it’s all friendly competition, don’t drink it. But it’s better safe than sorry. If any of them seem off—”
I plucked the vial from his hands. “I’ll take it.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Although, I hope I don’t have to use it.”
“Me too, sweets. Me too,” Alex said. His gaze dropped to the talisman on my wrist.
I raised my hand. “I’m not going to use this you know that right? This is forrealdanger, not fabricated games.”
He shook his head. “I know, but still wear it. None of the other schools will be as warded as Spellcasters. I’ll want to know if the demons show up and you’re in trouble.”
I nodded. “I wish you were going with me. Having someone there who knows everything that’s happening would be so nice.” I pushed the fact that Alex didn’t know about Amethyst from my mind. He worried enough as it was, he didn’t need to hear about that. At least, not until we had a solution.
“Me too,” he said. “Honestly, I kinda wish I’d entered the damn Spy Games. You and I had top choice, and I blew my chance to be at your side. I even considered going to the headmistress and demanding that I join the champions at the other academies, but that would raise too many questions. I figure I’ll wait until the first game is over to become the overprotective boyfriend.”
As much as I loved Alex, I so did not want him becoming that. “And I want the chance to prove myself.”
“As if you haven’t done that a hundred times already,” Alex whispered and leaned in. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.
The next thing I knew, we were kissing. Alex’s hands roamed my back, sending a thrill up my spine. I wanted him close to me, as close as we could be, so I pulled back slightly and peeled off my shirt.
An appreciative look that never got old washed over his face.
“I’ve been saving it for a special occasion,” I said, trailing a finger over the black lace of my new bra. “And the undies to match.”
Alex’s lips parted. “You’ve been hiding that all day, and you let me go on about vampire-repelling potions and how I feel like a lame boyfriend for not joining the Games?” His blue eyes bore through me. “You’re a cruel woman.”
I batted my eyelashes. “How can I make it up to you, Mr. Wardwell?”
