“And who is Rhoan?” I let him lead me around the corner. To my surprise, the courtyard is empty of all students and staff.Dammit. Thatmeans I’m late for class. Not that I should go. My hands are trembling, and my head is still throbbing.
“You don’t want to know. Trust me. For now,” he responds, turning us left and leading me out of the Executive Yard. “We are going to the healers because you tripped and hit your head on the brickwork.” I see his cover for what it is, and I almost let out a sob of relief.
So the asshole’s brother is actually kind and sweet. I nod and let Cole lead me there, not daring to look back or think of who Rhoan is and what he will do to the three students.
seven
. . .
The relentless poundingon my door reverberates through the air, jarring me from my thoughts as I step out of the steam-filled bathroom. My hair clings to my shoulders, and the warm scent of forest blooms still lingers on my skin from the shower. Thankfully, I managed to slip into a flowing gown moments ago, dressing for the first Bonding class. Yet, despite my outward appearance, my mind is a whirlpool, still reeling from the day’s events.
After my apprehensive visit to the healer—a young woman who fussed over me despite Agneta’s constant glare—Cole had escorted me back to Taeolyn. His voice carried a mixture of reassurance and finality when he informed me that Chancellor Xara had been made aware of my unfortunatefalland that I was permitted to spend the afternoon resting. As if to reinforce his words, he urged me not to dwell on the men or utter the name Rhoan ever again, remarking, “This is what you wanted,” before abandoning me at the foot of Taeolyn’s grand steps. He walked away casually, hands buried deep in his pockets as if taking a leisurely stroll rather than departing with a now heavy secret between us.
Once inside my room, I crumbled with the weight of it all,spending what felt like an eternity in the shower, the water mingling with my tears as I surrendered to a wave of nausea, releasing the contents of my stomach until I was nothing more than a pathetic mess on the tiled shower floor. But in the end, I arose determined. I wouldn’t let fear or helplessness define me any longer. That moment of weakness had ignited a fire within; I was determined to find my strength and never feel that way again. I made a promise to myself—I’d rather bleed standing than live on my knees.
I need to start taking my combat classes more seriously and dedicate more time to the gym. Perhaps Cole and his friends would be willing to help me out with that? I never honestly considered the possibility of growing close with the second Rykerson brother, but after today, I’ll admit it wouldn’t be so bad. We don’t have a Bond, which I’m thankful for, but maybe we could be friends in secret.
Another loud, insistent pound on the door jolts me from my thoughts. The urgency in the knocking suggests that if I don’t open it within moments, whoever is on the other side might just tear the door down. Whoever it is should also be in class, but clearly isn’t.
I rip open the door, ready to reprimand whoever is standing on the other side about patience and manners, but words become ash on my tongue. Time seems to slow around me, and I struggle to reclaim my breath as I take in the tall, handsome man towering over me.
Anders frames the doorway with his strong arms, his head bowing slightly as he fights for air, like he just ran the whole way here. The familiar scent of sandalwood, mixed with citrus, drifts toward me, enveloping my senses alongside the iridescent light of our Bond, cocooning me in an overwhelming sense of warmth and safety. I feel my whole body relax as I drink in his presence.
He’s dressed impeccably in tailored trousers and a fitted button-down shirt that accentuates his toned body. His dark hair seems out of place, tousled and falling into his eyes as though he’s been dragging his hands through it nonstop. His sapphire eyes are storming, the silver within restless.
I barely have a moment to process that he’s actually here before Ifeel the strength of his hand gently curling around my hip, his long fingers spanning the small of my back. The warmth from his touch radiates through me, alongside a jolt that flares to life at my hip as he guides me backward, smoothly stepping into my room and kicking the door shut with a soft thud.
A flash of anger alters his features as he gazes at me before swiftly softening into something that resembles concern. Worry flickers through his eyes, likely stemming from the fact that what happened today would reflect poorly on him as my escort. That’s what this is all about, right? It’s just an obligation.
He shouldn’t have to worry. He wasn’t even on planet when it happened. Still, his intensity is a palpable, relentless wave filling the silence between us, the weight of all that is unsaid hanging in the air.
“I’m going to guess your brother blabbed?” I cross my arms in front of me, concealing how my body responds to him being so near. I can’t ignore the way his chest rises and falls with labored breaths, as if each inhale is a struggle. The hard lines of his body remind me that he isn’t about to let this slide. “I’m fine, thanks for asking,” I add, my voice steady despite the sob threatening to break free.
“Godsdammit, Raea,” he growls, his voice low and edged with danger. His piercing gaze roams over me, assessing every inch, searching for hidden injuries. Only then do I become acutely aware of the warmth of his hand still resting on my hip, his thumb moving in slow, lazy circles as if he, too, has forgotten. I instinctively step back, creating space between us, and try to ignore the unexpected ache of missing his hand.
Nausea rises in my throat, unwelcome, just like the emotions swirling inside of me. I wish I could throw my arms around him and tell him how much I wish he were there today. He’d probably push me away and tell me to grow up. Inhaling deeply to steady my racing heart, I try to focus on his scent, allowing it to ground me as the anxiety begins to ebb with my exhale.
“My father may have revoked their parents’ titles for some illegal activities.” I cast my gaze down, unable to look him in the eyes anylonger. “I don’t know their exact plan, but they intended to take me and...” I hesitate, the weight of my words heavy. “They may have mentioned spacing me.” His hands clench at his sides, and a fury like I’ve never seen washes over his features.
He doesn’t raise his voice. That’s what makes it worse. “I’ll end them,” he promises, abruptly turning away from me, his words sucking the life out of the room. As he raises his laced fingers to the crown of his head, the hem of his dark blue shirt pulls up slightly, revealing a tantalizing sliver of sun-kissed skin just above his waistband. My gaze is drawn to the curve of his lower back, where the edge of a tattoo peeks out on his hip.
My cheeks flush as my gaze is drawn to the black ink etched into his skin that stirs my endless curiosity, especially when it comes to him. I find myself longing to peel away his shirt and reveal all that lies beneath.
He pivots to face me again, arms still positioned above his head, showcasing his toned body. His stomach is a canvas of muscle that is hard to ignore. Despite knowing I shouldn’t, my eyes wander down, captivated by the trail of dark hair that vanishes into his waistband, accentuated by the sharp contours of his hips. My hand instinctively rises, somewhere deep within me, begging to reach out and trace those deep lines. Just as I begin to reach, I hesitate and let it drop, scolding myself for forgetting I am nothing to him.
Nothing more than a job.
Anders remains oblivious to the shame now flooding me. “I’ll make sure it’s taken care of,” he says in a deep, rumbling voice filled with promise and threat. “Nobody touches what’s mine. For now,” he continues, “get ready. I’ll send Cole to escort you to class.”
I don’t think he even realizes the slip.His?“Not yours,” I whisper. “I belong to no one.” Even as I mutter those words, my heart seems to be performing some impossible routine, my stomach clenching tight.
He chuckles, the sound cascading over my nerves like an awakening. “We’ll see about that.”
The truth of those words slams into me, tumbling down, down, down, burying itself so deep inside me I know I’ll never dig them out.The air between us thickens. Instead, I focus on the latter part of what he said.
“I don’t need Cole—” I start to protest, but then I see his composure shatter in an instant. His features become a mask of icy fury, and his stormy blue eyes ignite with a rage so cold it sends a tremor through my whole body as I fight not to recoil.
His voice drops to a low, dangerous whisper as he warns, “Stop. Whatever you were about to say, just don’t. Until we’re certain there aren’t any remaining threats, consider yourself fortunate. When I’m not around, someoneItrust will be. Your life will not be at risk again, not under my watch.”
