I couldn’t wait to see how the rest of the year unraveled.
7
Just as Princeps Jones walked onto the stage, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Wondering if it was Ilia, I pulled it out.
Asher: Finished with my meeting. Be there in five.
It was almost embarrassing how excited that made me.
Me: We’re sitting in front. Much to Calen’s disgust.
I added a bunch of rolling eyes and laughing emojis. Those stupid little faces were almost my favorite thing about phones.
Asher: Save me a seat. Right. The fuck. Next to you. If Jesse is there, tell him to move his ass.
Oh God, I could practically hear his rumbly voice in that message. Jealous bastard.
He had absolutely nothing to worry about though.
Me: Maybe we should ditch school for the day. You can be as close as you want then…
I was tempting the devil when I really couldn’t ditch, but teasing Asher was a new favorite game of mine.
Asher: I can still taste you. Hear that sound you make when I run my tongue along your wet pus—
“Welcome! Welcome!” Princeps Jones shouted, interrupting me while I was about to combust in my seat. Asher was getting better with sexting, but seriously, I could not have an orgasm right here. So I put my phone away.
“I’m delighted to welcome first years and all the rest of you back for another year at the Academy.” The princeps waved his hands inclusively.
With my face flaming red, I tried to focus on the stage. Most of the Academy teachers were gathered behind him, and I was so happy to see many familiar faces. Striker, my first year Sword and Sorcery teacher, stood a good head above everyone else, looking badass as always. Quark, one of the rare demi-fey that taught here at the Academy, stood near the front. He was a troll, so he was short and stocky, his features unusual enough that you’d never mistake him for human. But he was blunt and cool—one of my favorite teachers.
Princeps Jones remained center stage. “Normally I’d go over the rules, explaining what to expect over the next twelve months at the Academy, but this year … well, a lot has changed.” He paused and took a moment to look across the almost silent auditorium. “Many of you will be aware that rumors of Atlantis rising are racing across the supernatural world. None of us know what this will mean for the supernatural communities … if it will change the dynamics of our races.”
I could feel the tension in the room now. Atlantis was an unknown factor that was about to insert itself into our world, and it was scary to think of what might change.
The door near the back opened, and I turned to see Asher stride in. I wasn’t the only one to look either; half the students were craning their necks to see him. Asher was somewhat of a god in this school, and with the recent Atlantis news, his notoriety had risen even further. People weren’t sure if they should fear the Atlantean-five or try and cultivate a relationship with them. Especially with Asher. They were obsessed with him.
And so the fuck was I.
Gorgeous bastard.
He strode in like he owned the place, not an ounce of unease at the thousands of eyes on him.
Princeps Jones chuckled. “Speaking of the Atlantean devil... Thank you for joining us, Asher.”
Asher shot him a half smile. He was dressed in the uniform, but the cooler, less “proper” version. His sleeves were rolled up to expose bronze, muscled forearms, collar open, white kicks on rather than the dress shoes, and his black hair with those silver and golden streaks was tousled like he’d run his hand through it a dozen times this morning.
Jesse moved over before he got to me, and I was thankful not to have to force that issue.
“Hey, baby,” Asher breathed in my ear, his warmth settling in beside me as his energy sent tingles across my skin. His shoulders were so broad that he half pushed me out of my chair, but I wasn’t complaining. When his lips brushed across the sensitive skin along the side of my neck, I completely missed everything else Princeps Jones said.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, distracting me, and I glared at Asher—the gorgeous bastard was now a distracting bastard—before I reached in and pulled the phone out.
Asher: You look so fucking sexy. I’m going to strip those tights off you tonight—just leave you in the skirt.
Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
I hadn’t even seen him touch his phone.
