We quickly filled her in on the poisoned dart, the neurotoxin, and the attack on Eris. As we spoke, Rowan and Lucas supported Draco between them, while Aiden helped Eris through the door. Both injured men looked pale but already stronger than they had been minutes ago.
“I’ll call for medical assistance immediately,” Waverly said, picking up her phone and dialing a short extension. She spoke briefly, then returned her attention to us. “The toxin has been neutralized?”
“Yes,” Lucas answered. “I extracted it from Draco’s bloodstream, but it was close. Another minute and it would have reached his heart.”
“And you were able to portal Mr. Bennett and Mr. Nightingale from London?” she asked me. “That’s extraordinary, even for an Ophis.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t really think about it. I just felt Draco dying through the bond and reacted.”
“It was the panic,” Draco said, his voice still hoarse. “The bond must have triggered a power surge in Jupiter’s abilities. Similar to how humans get adrenaline rushes in life-or-death situations.”
“That makes sense,” Waverly nodded. “The bond was created to protect the shield, after all.”
A medic arrived moments later, a stern-faced woman who immediately began examining Draco and Eris. She checked their vitals, shined lights in their eyes, and applied some kind of salve to Eris’s head wound. “They’re already healing remarkably well. I’d still recommend overnight observation, but the immediate danger has passed.”
“I’ll arrange accommodations for our visitors,” Waverly said, turning to me, Lucas, and Rowan. “We have a guest suite in the east wing that should suit you. I’ll have it prepared immediately.”
“Thank you,” I said, shoulders slumping in relief. “We appreciate it.”
“As for transportation back to Imperium. I’ll arrange for that tomorrow. I don’t think attempting another portal would be wise now that the immediate danger has passed.”
“Agreed,” Lucas said. “Jupiter’s already drained from the first one.”
“She can stay with us,” Percy interrupted. “There’s no need for separate accommodations.”
“Yeah,” Eris added, wincing as he shifted position. “She belongs with her shield.”
“Excuse the fuck out of me? I don’t belong anywhere I don’t choose to be.”
“Jupiter—“
“No,” I cut Eris off, turning to face them. “You don’t get to decide what I do or where I go. You lost that right when you chose to believe I was manipulating you rather than trusting me for even five whole minutes.”
The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air between us.
“Ms. Black is right,” Waverly said finally. “The guest suite will be prepared. And I assure you all, there will be a full investigation into this attack. Attempting to murder zodiac warriors, especially on academy grounds is a serious offense.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” I said, deliberately turning away from Percy’s stare.
As we filed out of her office, I felt a hand close around my upper arm. Aiden pulled me back as the others continued down the corridor. “All of you fuck off for a minute—” he called to the group. “I need to talk to Jupiter. Alone.”
Before anyone could protest, he yanked me sideways into an empty classroom, kicking the door shut behind us. In the darkness, I could see his eyes glowing golden as he backed me against the door, one hand on either side of my head, caging me in.
“Aiden, what the hell?—“
“Come back,” he said in a whisper. “Come back to us, Jupiter.”
My heart raced as he leaned closer, his nose brushing against my hair, inhaling deeply. He trailed his nose down to my neck, his breath hot against my skin.
“I’ll do anything. Anything you want. I’ll crawl. I’ll beg. I’ll plead. I was an idiot. We all were.” I could feel his cock hardening against my hip, his breath coming faster as he pressed closer. “I’m sorry,” he continued, his voice breaking. “So fucking sorry for what I did, for not believing you, for thinking even for a second that you could have betrayed us. I was so used to manipulation by our families that I didn’t trust anyone. It’s like I was waiting for the other fucking shoe to drop.”
He sank his hands into my hair, tilting my head back to look at him. His eyes were wild with need and… grief. Then his mouth crashed down on mine, hard, tasting of sweet coffee and mint and regret.
For a heartbeat, I froze. The familiar heat of his body against mine, the taste of his lips—it all sent a wave of memory crashing through me, his hands on my skin, his voice in my ear, riding his cock while my thighs shook around his hips.
A tear slipped down my cheek as I stood motionless in his embrace, letting him kiss me. Then something inside me hardened as what we were doing sank in.
I planted both hands on his chest and shoved him back with all my strength. The slap echoed in the dark classroom, the impact of my palm against his cheek sending his head snappingsideways. He staggered back, hand rising to his reddening face, shock written across his features.
