I finally make it to his desk and sit on the corner. "Permit me to amend my statement," I whisper, enjoying how his hands flex in his lap. "When I strongly disliked you, I had thoughts about this desk."
His violet eyes darken. "What kind of thoughts?"
I allow my hands to light up, and he resituates in his seat. "Oh, Professor, I think you know what kind of thoughts I'm referring to."
He flicks his gaze up from my lips. "Indulge me."
"Why should I?" I tease. "Those are my private thoughts?"
"How else will I know how to spend the rest of my day locked away with you in my office, unless you tell me exactly what you want?"
Excitement blooms across my chest as I square myself to him. My legs straddle either side of him. His hands slowly drag up from my ankles to my knees with no plans to stop there. "I wondered what it would be like if you bent me over this desk and had your way with me."
All restraint leaves his body, done with the game of cat-and-mouse. He stands, hovering above me. I tip my head back just enough to meet his hungry gaze. "Oh, I'll do much more than that,Strenlys," he whispers and my skin instantly heats. He leans down and kisses my lips, his hands making quick work in ridding me of my top, but before my breasts are exposed, I pull away and hop off his desk.
"Send word when your office hours are over, Professor. Then we can – "
Atlas' shadowy tendrils wrap around my arm and whip me to face him. He grabs my ass, lifting me to set me back on his desk. "Office hours are over." He peppers open mouth kisses against my neck, finding his way down my breastbone. "And if you walk away from me like that again, I'll make sure this entire school hears how you scream my name when you come."
My nipples harden beneath his featherlight touch. His calloused hands against the thin fabric of my bralette already has me seeing stars. Damn, the effect this man has on me is unlike anything I've ever known. "Maybe I want everyone to know I'm yours."
"Oh, they know." Atlas slips my top off and stares down at me. "I will never tire of the sight of you bare before me."
"I shouldn't be the only one topless, my love."
Atlas quickly thumbs his shirt over his head and drops it on the floor next to mine. My entire body glows, filling his office. His shadows spear across the room, enveloping us so my streaks of light don't penetrate the windows or beneath the door. He captures my lips against his, sweeping his tongue in my mouth as I drag my fingernails down his back. A loud moan escapes me. Suddenly the thought of students or faculty passing down the hall hearing me doesn't embarrass me. Atlas is mine and I am his.
Atlas grabs a fist full of my hair and tugs my head backward so he can pay attention to the sensitive area along my jawline. I arch into him, aching to feel more of him. To have him fill me. To unravel me.
"Atlas," I beg.
His fingers are already working to unfasten my pants when suddenly screams from the city erupt followed by a roar that rattles the windows. We peel away from one another. Atlas retracts his shadows and that's when we see him.
My eyes widen. It's not possible. It can't be. "Is that a…?"
"Black dragon," Atlas finishes when I trail off, just as surprised as I am.
The mighty beast darts for the forest where Draakstan is – where Seraxes is.
Shit.
"The dragons."
Atlas tosses me my top. My sexual fantasy will have to wait. My dragon might be in danger.
Adrenaline. Pure adrenaline is all that propels me through the Old Kingdom, through the woods, and to Draakstan. I ignore the stinging in my ribcage because Seraxes needs me.
I've only caught glimpses of the mighty Black Dragon soaring above us through the trees. The spear-like point of his tail, his sharp claws, the purple iridescence of his scales when he turns in the sunlight just right. He's a magnificent yet frightening beast.
The entire city is in an uproar. There hasn't been a Black Dragon spotted since the days Naya and Oryn walked this realm. I recall everything I've learned about dragons thus far and remember Atlas saying Black Dragons were rare and hadn't been in Tronovia in nearly a thousand years. They turn their enemies into pillars of salt and are some of the fastest dragons alive. So what was one doing here? Now?
"Come on, Shaye," Atlas grabs my hand and tugs me forward when I slow. "We're almost there."
Yes, we're almost to Draakstan but then what? We're no match for a Black Dragon and if he's instigated a fight with one of the Frost Dragons, all we can do is watch.
As we get to the gates, Thrane and my mother dart inside moments before we do. There's a gigantic thud that rattles the ground. I might have fallen had Atlas not wrapped his arm around my waist and steadied me.
Seraxes roars and it gives me the last bit of motivation to sprint into the arena. My mouth drops. Citizens brave or curious enough to risk grave repercussions fill the seats and gawk at the dragons filling the space.
