Where I’d felt the spark, the magic between us.
“I discovered myself,” I said as I closed my eyes, focusing on my breath, my words.
“I discovered the magic within me, the answers I’d been seeking, but most of all, I discovered my mother, the Queen of Lir.”
Tears prickled the edges of my eyes as Bane nodded, his smile pushing me forth.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me—as a princess, as a student, or as a girlfriend…” I blushed as the student body chuckled again, and it could have been the lights but I thought I saw Bane blush, too.
“But I know that no matter what it holds, I look forward to it. Starting with finishing out my first year at Blackthorn Academy.”
The crowd cheered and clapped as I graciously curtseyed as Headmistress Blackthorn took over the microphone.
Her words were white noise to me though, because all I could focus on was the fact I’d gotten through the worst part of the night.
And when I stepped down the side stairs, toward Bane, watching his eyes dilate as he set his sights on me, I knew the best was yet to come.
* * *
Bane
Violet descendedthe stairs in a deep royal purple gown made of satin, with a slit that went up to her thigh, and I had to bite my fist to keep from groaning aloud in the auditorium. Coupled with her silvery stilettos and her long, bubblegum-colored hair, her sapphire blue eyes, and pouty lips, she looked every bit the princess she was born to be, and I couldn’t help but feel like somehow, some way, I’d donesomethingright in my life.
I had to have, to be blessed with a woman like Violet.
Smart, sexy, curious, compassionate, and kind.
As Headmistress Ophelia Blackthorn wrapped up the remainder of her speech, I held out my hand to Violet, and she took it without question. I pulled her to me with one fell swoop and she fell into my arms with ease. My fingers splayed at her back, at the expanse of skin that was exposed from the strappy crisscross open back.
“You were amazing,” I said as I pushed some wild hair behind her ear.
“You really think so?” she asked with a blush, her gaze dipping to my lips.
My cock twitched beneath my slacks, hungering for its mate.
Ever since we’d arrived back at Blackthorn, everything has been in quite the disarray.
For starters, the queen and Violet had been busy with press, with political kingdom drama.
Blackthorn had extended a hand to the queen, letting her stay on campus for the time being until an announcement was made declaring Violet as the princess.
Between class and royal duties that were now thrust upon her, and my own ceremonial duties—after having to go through theArdaimmyself—something only a handful of incubi had ever gone through, and it’d been far too long since myanam caraand I had a moment alone.
And I planned on making tonight the perfect night for my princess.
Because she deserved the best.
I nipped at her lip chastely as I slid my hand in hers.
“Come,” I said darkly, as I tugged her toward the side door by the orchestra pit. The rest of the student body would leave through the main doors, but for where we were going, I didn’t want to be followed.
And with pain in the ass Norman and Wanda... and even Violet’s roommate, Delaney, hanging around more often now, I couldn’t risk walking through with the rest of the class.
Violet skipped along, the pitter-patter of her heels on the parquet floor like bells in the wind.
I pulled us through the backstage, past the theater hallway, down past the armory, and cut through the library to the courtyard.
When we’d made it outside, her gasp was all I needed.
