It was like the ultimateI-told-you-so, and while there would be some sense of vindication for me … I spent most of my time on rocky ground with Rage, and this might push us past our breaking point.
I needed to wait for the right time, and even though I wanted it to be today… it wasn’t.
Chapter 15
The next monthpassed by in a blur of activity. The leaves on the trees started to turn golden yellow and burnt orange with the promise of fall and sweet pumpkin coffee. I went through the motions with Master Carn, letting him spoon-feed me while I studied by myself in the evenings. After weeks hunched over the advanced fire textbook, one night, at 1 a.m., I finally made a fireball!
The next day, I grinned like a lunatic when Rage made one and I stepped up next to him with one in my own palm. Master Carn nearly passed out and then fled the room—off to report to the king most likely.
I stood in Fire Studies with Rage watching me with his inscrutable gaze.
“How are your lessons with Honor?” His gaze traveled the length of my body as if he could see evidence of my progress on my exposed skin. Of course, he knew I couldn’t shift. They all probably talked about it at dinner. How embarrassing.
The fireball I’d been building fizzled out in my palm, but I puffed my chest out and muttered, “Fine.”
“So you can shift on demand if danger appears?” Rage asked, stepping in front of me.
I took a step back and bumped into a table.
Rage inched forward. The weight of his attention made me aware of our proximity, and a thrill of excitement shot through me.
Gah! Why did I care about him or his attention? Worse, why did my body react every single time he drew near? Like my brain short-circuited.
Because he was a freaking hottie, that’s why. All the Midnight boys were.
Keep it together, Nai!
“Why does it matter to you?” I raised my gaze to meet his, but all my irritation fled at the heat I saw in his eyes.
His lips parted as his breath grew shallow. He placed his hands on either side of the table, boxing me in. His gaze dipped to my mouth, and for one irrational moment, I thought he might kiss me.
I licked my lips, feeling heat pooling low in my belly. Without thinking through my next words, I spoke in a low breathy whisper: “It’s not like you care.”
Oh, but I wanted him to. I wanted to close the distance and see if he tasted like my mate. I wanted to kiss him—feel him. This energy between us … could he feel it too?
Rage clenched his teeth and stepped back, shuttering his gaze. He swallowed hard, and when he spoke, his voice was rough. “It’s my responsibility to see that each student is safe.”
Meaning: he didn’t care. Not beyond his “responsibility” and possibly a physical attraction he was more than willing to fight. If he were my mate, would he be able to fight it?
The spell broke, and I cursed my body for wanting him. At least, Justice was polite—even nice usually. Rage? Except for the occasional possessiveness or concern he exhibited on behalf of his position, he didn’t care.
“Fine,” I snapped, spinning away from him. “Then why don’t you check in with my instructor, Honor? I’m sure he’ll give you a report on my progress or lack thereof.” I jerked my head toward the door. “Just like Master Carn is giving a report to your uncle.”
Rage frowned. “That’s not true.” He looked at the door with worry as if he’d only now noticed that Master Carn had left me high and dry in the middle of my studies.
I grabbed my books and headed for the exit. “Sure it isn’t. Just keep telling yourself that,Prince Rage.”
As the door clicked shut behind me, I tried to shove away the sense of gloom our interaction caused. I shouldn’t care what he thought of me or my clan.
Stupid alpha male.
* * *
After serving dinner that night,I headed out of the cafeteria, startled to see Justice waiting at the door.
“May I walk you home?” he asked.
Uh…“Okay.”
