“But do you always work?”
His face reddened and he nodded. “I’ve been told I work too much.”
“It’s important to take time to care for yourself and relax sometimes.”
I knew what being a workaholic was like, because I was one too when I lived in the village. With the only one able to speak to me being Alice, I didn’t have much of a social life. Plus, I enjoyed making medicinal salves. But I made sure to allot myself at least a little time to let myself rest.
“Hard to relax when I run an entire academy, fledgling.”
I plucked at the cuff of my sleeve. My heart had been racing since I caught his scent. “What does that mean?”
“You’re a student... still learning,” he said as he turned his back to me and started taking off his button up shirt. “What about the black magic?”
“Oh, that.” My core clamped down as he shrugged out of his shirt, tossing it to the side. His back muscles rippled with each movement.
Turning back around, he kicked his shoes off. “Is there any truth to it?”
My vision was entranced by his pectorals and abdominal muscles. He was built for strength, and I had no doubt he packed more than just firedrake strength.
Blinking, I tore my gaze back to his face that was also a massive distraction. Rowan was strong, and his appearance made my knees weak. “What?”
“Are you okay?” Concern flashed in his eyes.
“Yes, I’m fine, sorry.” My throat was tight. “You’re just really muscular... I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone's muscles bulge like that.”
His lip curved into an amused smirk. “I’m glad you like it.”
“So what did you ask?” I scratched my head, trying to ignore the invisible threads linking us together, tugging on my heart and making me want to be wrapped in his arms.
“I asked about the black magic.”
“Right.” I stepped forward and placed my hand on his bare chest to soothe the storm raging inside of me at the sight of him. “Trixie knew a dark ritual that could sever a rejected matebond, and the bond I had with Grayson was getting worse. The pain was…” A shiver wracked through me, and I glanced down at my hand as I started rubbing it in a circular motion over his hard chest. “The pain had gotten almost unbearable. It was like my heart was being crushed with a pulverizer.”
“Damien had said that you broke the bond when he was here.” He placed his hand around my wrist and pulled up until my chest hit his stomach. “Your friend used black magic in order to do so?”
I nodded, resting my chin on him so I could look up at him. “I asked her to.”
“Are there any side effects?”
“Not that I’m aware of. After the ritual was over, I could feel the link to Grayson break. It was freeing. I felt like I was on a magical high finally being set apart from him, and then... I met you.”
“I’ll have Grayson checked on in the morning to make sure nothing too dark has happened.” His jaw ticked. “I’m glad you separated the bond from him, but black magic always comes with a price.”
A lead ball settled in my gut, and I frowned. “Like what?”
He shook his head, grabbing my hips and lifting me up. “Don’t worry about that right now. I didn’t ever think I would be blessed by the Fates... but here you are.”
My legs wound around his waist, and I gripped his shoulders to steady myself as I stared into the fiery depths of his gaze. “I never thought I’d actually have a mate either. My first rejected me, and before that, I had given up on the idea of any mate. This wasn’t what I expected either.”
His warmth seeped into me, and my body was dangerously hot again. His nose brushed mine, and his breath fanned over my lips. “Are you disappointed?”
“No.” I leaned in and pushed my lips to his. “I’m thankful,” I mumbled against his lips.
“As am I.” His large, heated hands cupped under my skirt to grab my butt cheeks, and he spun us around and started toward his bed, breaking our kiss. “Do you care if I just kiss you for a while?”
“I would love that,” I murmured. “I need your touch.”
And I did.
