“…You planning to warn me off her, too, Hollywood?” he sneered. “Make your claim on her mongrel body formally? Or just regale us all with stories about how often you fucked the little mutt on the beach in California over the summer?”
I stiffened, mostly in disbelief.
Eye of Ra.I couldn’t tell him anything, could I? One mention of being in California last summer, andthat’swhat he took away from it?
Bones’s eyes flickered to mine, then returned to Draken.
Draken glanced at me, too, but only for a second before glaring at Bones. “I see we’re back to acting the adolescent prat,” he remarked coolly. “I suppose you feel pretty big these days, Bones, having the school sanction you beating up on a witch half your size.”
“And I see you’re just as jealous and possessive over your sweet little mongrel as ever,” Caelum shot back. “Don’t you ever get tired of white knighting, Joran?”
Draken barely seemed to hear him.
“I should’ve known it was too much to hope you might’ve matured over the summer,” he said in disgust. His voice grew an open threat. “And yes, Iwillwarn you, if you insist on making it necessary. You lay a hand on her, you hurt her in any way, and you’ll regret it, you little prick. You might’ve fooled Forsooth, playing the good little prince, but outside these walls, you’re nothing but a rich, spoiled fuck with a daddy complex… and I’m not the only one with that opinion. I have friends who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, too, Bones.”
I stiffened, looking at Draken, a little stunned.
Caelum scoffed at the threat openly.
“Gods you are tiresome,” he said, just as contemptuously. “No wonder you can’t keep hold of her.” Impatience reached his eyes as he gripped a fork and knife in either hand. “Youreally don’t like me touching your mongrel, do you? Is it me in particular, I wonder? Or is it anyone besides you?”
“It’s you, actually,” Draken retorted.
“You sure about that?” Bones shot back. “Why not let her speak for herself, then?”
When Draken only glared, Bones scoffed at him again.
“Right,” he said knowingly. “I’msureit’s only me. And just when, exactly, did she agree to become your personal property? You sure she’s on board with that, Joran? Because it seems pretty desperate.”
I felt myself tense more.
What the hell was Bones doing, too?
I bit my lip, almost didn’t speak, then said it anyway.
“How about you both shut up, so the rest of us can eat?” I asked coolly.
When everyone at both tables looked at me, Jolie, Mir, Nyx, and Luc, along with Voltaire, Bones, Panzen, Maskey, and Warrington, I bit my lip. When I noticed Draken’s confused and slightly hurt look aimed in my direction, I exhaled.
I laid a hand on his arm. “I don’t need you to defend me,” I told him quietly. “And it’s unnecessary, anyway. Bones isn’t going to touch me in there, not with Forsooth and Quicksilver breathing down his neck, and the entire school aware he’s stuck with me. He’s just trying to wind you up.” I avoided looking at Bones. “He’s probably just annoyed he has to breathe the same air as me. I’m sure his father is furious. And like you said, that’s all he cares about.”
Draken’s expression visibly relaxed.
“As long as you promise to tell me if that ever changes,” he said softly.
He took my hand in his and squeezed.
“I might vomit,” Bones muttered from the other table.
Before I could look over, the tall, platinum-haired mage had already regained his feet. I watched him, hiding my bewilderment, as he walked straight out of the dining hall, his broad shoulders squared under the embroidered black coat.
It wasn’t until he was already out the door that I realized he’d left behind the heaping plate of food he hadn’t touched.
It just sat there once he’d gone, steaming on the table.
23
Uneasy Allies
