“No way! I’m Magus House, too. Electricity mage.” Miles grinned.
“Ice mage.” Shadrie beamed, raising her hand and calling iceto her fingertips. “They said Bechora is a fire mage.”
“How have I not seen you in the common room?” Miles gaped.
“She’s been locked up in her room for the last five days. If I hadn’t brought her food, she’d probably have starved to death by now,” Shadrie answered for me.
“What the hell? What is this—gang up on Bechora hour?” I snapped. “I was literally just trying to learn what I could about the place. It’s not like I even knew it existed before I was dragged here against my will.”
Miles reached out like he might pat my shoulder, then dropped his hand. “I get it. I grew up hearing about the supernatural realm and the Academy, but it can still be overwhelming. If you want, I’d be happy to help and tell you everything I know.”
“That would actually be really nice, Miles.” I smiled.
“I have a feeling we’re all gonna be the best of friends. I’m so excited!” Shadrie squealed.
Chapter Eight
Vallynn
“We have a meeting with Thrackborne tomorrow after he’s named head of house,” I murmured to Dante as he sipped his ale. “Linoran has passed coordinates for a new target.”
“I’ll be ready,” Dante assured me.
Whatever I was going to say next fled from my mind as I felt a strong tugging sensation low in my gut. Glancing up, I locked eyes with a stunning, petite redhead across the clearing. The air around me felt charged with electricity, and I could feel my shadows aching to slip free and close the distance between us. Whoever the woman was, she was my mate.
“Fuck,” I hissed, just before a slim hand ran up my back and over my shoulder. I tried to tear my eyes away from my mate before Daena could follow my gaze, but I was too late.
“Really, Vallynn?” she hissed in my ear, her nails digging into my chest through my shirt. “I know we both have our dalliances, but she’s below you. I ran into her on orientation day—she’s just human realm trash.”
“Daena,” I gritted out, forcing myself to look the shrew I was betrothed to in the eye. “I had no intentions of seeking out anyone else’s company this evening.”
“Good,” Daena replied, plastering on a saccharine smile. “I’d hate to think you’d lower yourself to slumming with the likes of her.”
I gave her a tight smile and caught Dante’s eye over her shoulder. Much to my relief, my friend wasn’t too drunk to catch my unspoken request. Clearing his throat, he slapped Daena hard on the shoulder.
“Daena, a pleasure as always, but we’ve been summoned. Vallynn, if you’ll follow me,” he said in a tone that shouldn’t have allowed for argument.
“Really, Vallynn?” Daena hissed. “You’re going to let your stone-brained guard talk to me like that? I’m going to be your fucking queen. I deserve the respect that entitles me.”
“Don’t make a scene, Daena. You know how my father feels about women who make a scene,” I warned. “If you want to remain at my side, you’d do well to remember that.”
Daena paled and pressed her lips in a thin line. Dante barely stifled a snicker as he led me through the crowd and into the forest. He didn’t press for answers as we made our way across campus back to our dorm room. Dante knew I’d explain myself once we’d reached our suite.
“What was that all about?” he asked once our door shut behind us and I’d cast a silencing spell around the room. “I know Daena is a piece of work, but you’re supposed to be keeping up appearances.”
“My mate was there,” I replied before running my hands through my hair and tugging at it hard. “I didn’t think it was possible. There hasn’t been a fae that’s found their mate since before I was born, but she was there.”
“Fuck. This is bad,” Dante breathed. “If your father catches wind of this…”
“I know.” I groaned as I started pacing the floor in front of our sofa. “At best, he’ll imprison her to use against me. At worst…” I couldn’t bring myself to say what my father would do. The thought alone was enough to make me feel like I was being torn apart.
“Vallynn!” Dante barked, causing my head to jerk up.
“Shit!” I’d lost control—my shadows flooded the living room of our suite, and Dante shifted to his stone form to prevent them from injuring him.
Gritting my teeth, I fought to regain control. When my shadows finally succumbed to my will and slid back into me, I let out a breath of relief.
“Did she sense the connection?” Dante asked gently.
