I buried my face into his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my cheek. "If you die, I do as well," I whispered against his chest.
This was how Rafe and I declared our love for each other. There was nothing traditional about us, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I pulled back, and his lips were on mine, a scorching, claiming kiss that rendered me without either thought or care.
All I wanted was this moment with him. To feel and taste and touch.
He pulled away far too soon, his hand reaching down to lift the bag that was draped across my shoulders and hanging against my thigh. "Come on, let's get you to the library. Jordan’s meeting us there."
With one last look around the empty room, we walked together in silence, our steps syncing as we moved. The library wasn't as crowded as normal—the later hour meant many of the students were already gone for the night—so there was plenty of room for me to settle in between Jordan and Rafe.
In hurried whispers we told Jordan about the possible Uriel sighting, and my American prince's face stayed hard and unyielding as he ran his gaze over me, no doubt checking for injuries. "No more time alone," he bit out, and when I started to protest, annoyed that everyone was underestimating my own badassness, he cut me off. "I mean it, Vi. I will literally tie your ass to my bed and sit next to you every single day until this is over if you don't start being more cautious."
Our whispered conversation was tense, and I shot Rafe a glare as he leaned back in his chair, smug that for once it wasn't him ripping me a new one.
"I'm not being unsafe," I finally managed to get out. "I'm not wandering off the academy grounds on my own or even going to the deserted sections of the school. The hall between my room and the library is always full of people, and I warned Rafe what I was doing."
Jordan took my hand, and when his eyes softened, going all pleading, I knew I'd lost this argument. "Please, Vi. For us, please do not go anywhere alone."
Ah, fuck. "Okay, but you two had better be okay with tampons if I need someone to accompany me to the bathroom during school hours."
Neither of them even flinched. Apparently blood was no issue for my two guardian angels. Or maybe they just somehow knew I was one of the lucky people who didn’t get a period with an IUD.
Even so, nothing fazed these two. Except apparently me wandering off on my own.
Figured.
Chapter 23
The rest of my week was spent in class, studying, and existing in this weird bubble of perfect with my two princes. Sex was even working out, with both of them being considerate enough to give me alone time with the other, and so far no one was acting butthurt about missing out.
This was the best version of dating two men that I could have imagined, the only problem being that everything was too perfect. It worried me that soon it would all crumble around me.
"Are you ready for your game today?" I asked Jordan. Rafe had already taken off for an early morning warm-up. This was their first soccer match since returning, and Jordan had been given a clean bill of health, with his injuries all but healed. I was still worried though.
"I'm excited to get back on the field," he told me after he finished brushing his teeth, so now he just watched me as I braided my hair to get ready for the day. Both princes seemed to enjoy this domestic life we were building together. Our perfect bubble. Jordan moved a little closer, his eyes on mine in the mirror. "I heard that Alex is back as well."
I paused, my fingers halfway through securing the hair tie. "He's back from Australasia?"
Rumor had it that he’d been there wrapping up all the business to do with his parents’ deaths. Claiming his crown. Riding some waves... or kangaroos. Whatever the fuck they did over there. It had been nice not having him here to deal with, but apparently my luck had run out.
"I need to talk to him," I muttered, finally finishing my braid. I swung it over my naked shoulder, and turned to find Jordan right behind me.
"Why would you need to talk to him?" he asked, voice laced with concern and a stronger emotion.
Letting out a long breath, I grimaced. "Mr. Wainwright said that Alex will only go to the vote if I personally invite him. Figured it was worth giving him this last little thing if it meant that we could secure enough of the powerhouses to get the people's court approved."
Jordan's hands twitched as he closed his fingers around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Honestly, I forgot right up until you said Alex was back."
Jordan looked like he wanted to curse. A lot. "Once Rafe hears about this, he's going to murder Alex long before you get to talk to him, so let's not rely on his vote."
I groaned and rolled my eyes. "It doesn't need to be like that. He was really sweet to me once. I mean, before all the creepy shit with Nurse Reller." My cheeks heated slightly with embarrassment as I thought of the sex we'd had, back when Mattie had teased me for describing it asgreat.Though now that I knew better, I could see what she was getting at.
Jordan gave me a skeptical look. "The shit with Alex isn'tjustbecause of you, beautiful. That made it a whole lot worse, no doubt. But this has been ongoing since Jasmine." He grimaced, looking angry and sad all at the same time.
My stomach sank. Jasmine. Alex's deceased fiancée and Rafe's best friend. How could I have forgotten her so easily?
"I sort of got the impression it was King Steve who killed her," I said in a small voice. I didn't want to be insensitive atall. She'd been Rafe's best friend, but she must have been friends with Jordan too... given the boys had been tighter than brothers since they were kids.
