Two daysafter the Philadelphia incident, I stood at my window, phone pressed to my ear, watching the fading light cast long shadows across the academy grounds. My shoulder still ached despite the healers’ best efforts. The wound was closed, but the memory of that bane’s claw tearing through muscle and sinew remained vivid in my mind.
“This is extraordinary news, Percival,” my father’s voice droned in my ear. “An Ophis axis with demonstrated portal manipulation capabilities. The Assembly is buzzing with reports of what happened in Philadelphia.”
I clenched my jaw, saying nothing. Of course he’d heard. News traveled fast when it benefited the powerful.
“Your mother and I will arrive in two days. We’re eager to meet the girl who’s caused such a stir.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said, sounding mentally dead to my own ears. “Jupiter isn’t a sideshow attraction.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Our son’s axis bond is a momentous occasion for the Whitlock family. Your mother has already arranged a dinner with several Council members who?—“
“No,” I cut him off. “She’s still recovering.”
“The reports indicate she’s fully healed. Don’t be difficult, Percival. This is exactly the kind of connection our family has been cultivating for generations.”
My fingers tightened around the phone. “I said no.”
“I wasn’t asking permission.” His tone hardened. “We arrive at two. Have her presentable.”
“You’re a fucking prick,” I growled.
“Watch your language. This attitude is unbecoming of your position. You should be proud. After three years of failure, you’ve finally secured an axis that elevates the Nightfall Shield beyond ordinary status.”
Heat built behind my eyes, the telltale sign of my magic responding to my rage. “We didn’t fail at anything. And we didn’t ‘secure’ her. The bond happened during a life-or-death situation.”
“Nevertheless, it happened. And now you have responsibilities to this family that?—”
“I’ll see you in two days,” I interrupted, unable to stomach another second of his voice. “Goodbye.”
I ended the call before he could respond, resisting the urge to hurl my phone across the room. Fucking typical. Three years of complaining about my “disappointing” shield configuration, and now suddenly I was the golden son again because Jupiter’s power made me valuable to him.
A soft knock at my door pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. I knew immediately who it was, the silver thread of our bond humming with her proximity.
“Come in,” I called, turning from the window.
Jupiter slipped inside, closing the door behind her and leaning against it. She looked better than she had that morning. Color had returned to her cheeks, and her eyes were clear and alert. Her black hair fell loose around her shoulders, and she was wearing a simple black tank top and those little fucking tight shorts that made me feel things.
“Hey,” she said, her voice softer than I was used to hearing it. “I wanted to talk to you.”
I crossed my arms, trying to ignore how my body instantly responded to her presence. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. The healers say I’m completely recovered, physically at least.” She pushed away from the door, taking a tentative step toward me. “I wanted to thank you. For what you did in Philadelphia. For saving my life.”
“Don’t.”
She blinked, taken aback. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t thank me. You did exactly what you were born to do. What the Ophis designation was meant for. We did our jobs as your bond-mates.”
Jupiter studied me for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Is that all it was to you? A job?”
I looked away, unable to hold her gaze. “What else would it be?”
“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “When I saw that bane stab you with its claws... something happened to me, Percy. I felt this rage I couldn’t control. I couldn’t think straight. All I knew was that I needed to end it, to destroy anything that threatened you.”
I felt it too. Her fury pouring through.
“Jupiter—” I started, but the words died in my throat.
