Talen’s been gonea few weeks, so yeah, I’m surprised to see him in Offensive Magic today, assisting Professor Quinn. He’s standing off to the side, leaning back, one leg hooked over the other, spinning his talisman hypnotically between his fingers.
Fuck, he looks so good.
His eyes are locked forward on Quinn, who has just called Ezzy down for today's training. He asks who she’d like to be paired against, and when she says Finn, I almost spit the water I just sipped all over him. Finn’s face goes white. They still haven’t spoken since the ball, almost seven weeks ago. I guess Ezzy’s decided she’s ready. Now?
Ezzy pushes him hard, strike after strike, Thread after Thread, but Finn doesn’t even fight back. Just stands there and takes it like he thinks he deserves every hit. She snaps, furious, her voice cracking as she throws one final burst of power and turns away, wiping her face. Then she storms off across the stage and out of the lecture theatre. Finn hesitates, just for a second, then goes after her.
I wish one of them would just say what they really want, wish love wasn’t so damn complicated for them.
Quinn claps once, awkwardly. “Well. I guess that wraps up that one. Let’s have another pair.”
Two more cadets take the stage. But I'm not even paying attention anymore. None of it bothers me, because I'm only focused on one thing.To finally breakTalen.
The plan was to keep my head down, be patient, and wait for answers. But it’s been over six weeks since we slept together, and so far I’ve had as many answers as I’ve had orgasms.None. I'm getting impatient and frustrated, and at this point, I need at least one of them—or I’m going to do something stupid.
But I know he’ll break. I just need to push him?—
a little.
Bit.
More.
I slide down into my seat, close my eyes, and let the memory of his weight over me settle like a pressure across my chest.
Then I start to send it—slow, careful—threading it down the connection between us. It begins soft, innocent enough, but then I let it build. The feel of his mouth, his hands, the drag of skin on skin.
By the time I’m halfway through, I can’t stop the smile that curls across my face. Heat blooming low.
When I finally open my eyes. He’s still spinning the talisman, but his gaze is already locked on mine. Eyes narrow, like a dragon sighting its prey. The air between us tightens, charged, breathless and there is a hint of surprise. Like I touched something raw beneath that polished calm of his.
I bite down on my lip.Got you.For a moment, I revel in it. He looks caught, exposed, maybe even a little rattled. But then, something changes, his expression stills. The surprise narrows into something more like focus and suddenly?—
The room goes silent.
Notquiet—silent.
My ears strain for the rustle of robes, the whisper of voices, the scrape of chairs. But there’s nothing. And yet, no one else notices. At the front, Quinn still talks, chairs are moving, but I don't hear a thing.
This silence is only meant forme.
The hairs on my arms lift. There’s a flicker in his eyes, not warmth. Not anger. Just planning as the left side of his mouth curls—and then it hits.
Not a pulse.
A flood.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
It slams through me, sudden and pulsing, pleasure laced with poison. My breath jerks as a spark of heat sears up my spine, crashing into my chest causing my back to arch from the chair.
Air leaves me in a thin, helpless gasp and I clench my thighs together, tight. Desperate to force it down. It doesn’t help. The need’s already molten—licking through me like wildfire, devouring and claiming.
Every muscle locks, nerves catching fire with pure bliss. He hasn’t touched me. Hasn’t moved.
But god, he doesn’t have to.
Because my body? It’s not mine anymore.
