"Normal, right." It's surreal to think that means I'm going to be sharing a flat with a princess, but it seems like that's what's happening.
"If you ever find yourself at the demon court, then it's different," Sophia says. "It's the same for my brother when you meet him. No titles needed while we're on academy grounds."
"You have a brother here?"
"Twin brother," she says. "I'm sure you'll meet this evening."
A weird feeling settles over me as I consider what she's saying, but I dismiss it as solely due to the fact that I'm not used to being around royalty.
It can hardly be about anything else.
Chapter 2
ARCHIE
I pass the door to the library and feel a tug deep within me that says I need to head inside. The feeling isn't one I've ever experienced at the demon court, but there's no ignoring it. Intrigued about what's causing it, and thinking I have an idea, I step inside. It's quiet, but that's to be expected considering it's the first day and we haven't even had the welcome party for new students yet. Most people aren't worried about anything even close to studying yet.
But not her.
My gaze immediately lands on the dark-haired fairy leaning over a book and with an adorable look of concentration on her face. Her hair falls over her face, but doesn't hide the two antennae that bob over her forehead as she breathes, and her dark brown pattered wings flutter slightly. She's enchanting.
Mate.
I swallow hard. The word springs to mind, stronger and louder than I ever expected. The force of it makes me freeze, unable to do anything other than look at her.
My older siblings have told me about the reaction I might have to a potential mate bond before, but I didn't expect it to be so immediate, especially when I don't know anything about the person I'm looking at. But every fibre of my being makes me want to change that. It'll be hard to hold back from acting on the voice inside me, but I have no idea if she's having the same reaction. Some species are more likely to recognise a potential mate bond than others, but it varies by individual anyway.
I head towards her without feeling like I have any control over what I'm doing.
She looks up before I even get to her, revealing dark brown eyes that seem as if they're able to see something in me that I haven't said out loud.
"Hey," I say.
She clears her throat. "Hi." Her voice comes out a little breathily, making me hope that she's had the same reaction as I have.
"I'm Archie," I say, remembering that I need to introduce myself.
She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, drawing attention to the antennae there. It bobs as she moves her head. "Lottie," she responds.
I lean against the wall next to her, trying to come across as if I'm not constantly thinking the word mate over and over again. I use my tail to rearrange my jacket, which seems to draw her attention to it. Feeling like a bit of mischief, I wave at her with my tail.
She swallows hard and looks away. "Sorry."
"You don't have anything to apologise for," I say. "So, you like tails?"
"I've never really known anyone with one," she admits.
"Ah, well, you're welcome to stare at my tail, but I wouldn't advise doing it in general. Some people can be self-conscious about them."
A blush reaches her cheeks. "I should have thought about that."
I shrug. "I like my tail." I wave at her with it again.
The expression on her face is impossible to ignore, and all it does is make the echo of the word mate get louder. I'm glad she hasn't touched me, because it would be impossible to ignore the word otherwise.
"So, you're a demon," she says, looking me over.
I raise an eyebrow. "Good spot."
