I felt dazed with adoration as I leaned over and lifted her up with ease. I sat her back on the cushion as Snakey wrapped around her shoulders. “You’re incredible.”
She beamed, and I knew the poison had cheered her up. She blinked a few times, and the daze faded. “Let’s study.”
“Finally,” Dimitri sighed.
Just like that, our evening turned into battle plans and note-taking. It was clear to me that no one was going to be bothering Rune. At least, not without facing the full fury of her very unhinged and devoted squadmates.
zuko
. . .
Rune’s nosecrinkled in the most adorable fucking way when she snored. It wasn’t a dainty snore, either. It was loud and a little wheezy, and I loved it. She was hunched over her study notes, ink smeared on her cheek. Her buns had come undone through the session, and her hair fell like a wavy waterfall around her.
Dimitri had worked us to the bone. His idea of a “quick review” was five straight hours of foundation information for Charm and Deception as well as combat tactics to subdue supernaturals. Eleanor and Rune passed out mid-debate on some deception theory.
Koa had to plead with Dimitri to stop studying, and once he agreed, everyone pretty much ran for their rooms.
Lorian swooped in and scooped Eleanor up, like the overly polite bear shifter he was, and carried her off to her room before shutting the door as he left her to sleep.
I, on the other hand, was already moving toward Rune. Before Slater could even blink, I was sliding one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, lifting her gently.
“Hey! No fair!” Slater whisper-yelled. “I wanted to pick her up!”
“Should’ve moved faster, chaos demon,” I shot back, nuzzling my nose into her hair just to inhale her midnight orchid scent. Fates, she smelled perfect.
Slater followed me as I carried Rune toward her room. I felt Aura squinting at me like she was waiting for me to be a creep, but she didn’t say anything. Koa, Hawk, and Dimitri trailed behind us.
I walked her to her bed, placing her down gently, adjusting her blanket and pillow with a weird level of care that I wasn’t used to doing.
The guys and Aura watched me carefully, as if to wait for me to fuck up somehow. But I didn’t. I wasn’t going to fuck up. Not with Rune.
I turned back and shut the door behind me, hearing the magical click of the locking ward.
Dimitri crossed his arms. “Do not screw our year here up by making it weird, Zuko. She’s the headmaster’s daughter. She’s the agent-coordinator’s daughter. And Professor Bloodwyne’s daughter. That’s three death warrants, minimum, if you do something wrong.”
I shrugged. “I’ll chance it.”
Slater slapped my hand for a high five. “Yes! Besides, we’re going to be their son-in-laws-by-mating!”
“Exactly.” I nodded in agreement, knowing the Fates wouldn’t give me these feelings for Rune and not have her be my mate. I wasn’t stupid. The Fates knew what they were doing.
Koa exhaled slowly. “Not saying I get it…but yeah. I get it. She’s really special.”
Just then, Vel strode onto our floor with a smile, surprise flickering on her face. “Good evening, little legends. Why are youawake? You need rest. Hop to it. And Aura, dear, come with me for a moment.” She gestured for Aura to follow her.
Aura rolled her eyes before giving us all a small wave and hurrying behind Vel as she led her out the front door.
Everyone else went back to their rooms, but Raze followed me to mine. He leaned against the wall as I jumped onto my bed. “So...you’re really into her, huh?”
I groaned and threw my head back. “Yes! It’s consuming, and I can’t really explain it. I like it, though; I likeher. I need to tattoo her name on me.”
Raze snorted. “You clearly have a tattoo obsession. What’s the deal with the sleeve?”
I grinned, taking off the suit’s top half, letting it fall to around my waist, and showing off my sleeve of tattoos. “It’s a torture game. I roll two dice and whatever number the dice add up to is what I do to whoever I’m torturing.”
“Sick.” Raze’s pink eyes lit up with interest. “Do you torture often?”
A dark chuckle fell from my lips as I nodded. “Dad’s a torture expert for the council. I’ve been working with him a lot.”
