And whatever she’d ask of me, I’d follow. No matter the consequences.
Chapter Seventeen
Ethan
It was the end of November. The King’s Contest was two weeks away, and I still hadn’t declared a mate.
I didn’t know what to do. I was stuck. The crown, or Emma? An unbearable decision.
Elijah hadn’t stopped gloating since he’d bonded with Gabby. Every day in class he smirked at me, like he’d already won. I’d had enough of his ridiculous behavior and wanted to smack the smug look off his face. Couldn’t wait for my chance during the King’s Contest.
If I ever got there. I didn’t have any more time. It was now or never. Time to make a decision.
I stood outside Emma’s enchanting class and waited for her to emerge. She’d ignored me in Monster Hunting class the day before and was obviously still mad about our argument.
It wasn’t that I didn’tbelieveher about being the Worldweaver. That wasn’t it at all. If anything, I believed her wholeheartedly. If her blood could bring back the Dark God, then she was in a lot more danger than I thought. I just didn’t want to accept that she could be at risk. It was painful to consider that she might be the one thing the Black Claw needed to regain power.
When Emma came out of class, she immediately went to go the other way. But I hurried to catch up with her. “Emma! Emma, I need to talk to you!”
She rolled her eyes. “Not now, Ethan.”
“Would you slow down and let me speak?” I grabbed her arm, forcing her to a halt. She turned around and narrowed her eyes, giving me a fierce glare that shook me to my core.
Damn, it turned me on when she looked at me that way. I pushed aside the fantasies in my head and got straight to the point. “I’m sorry about the other day. You’re right, I wasn’t listening to you. And maybe I am living in denial.”
“You didn’t even want to hear it,” she snapped.
“I know. And that’s wrong, but did you ever stop to think it’s because I care about you?” I asked.
Emma tilted her head. She seemed… surprised. “If you care so much, why don’t you help me figure out a plan instead of running away from the obvious?”
“How are we supposed toplanthis, Emma? We don’t even know what we’re up against.” I leaned inward and dropped the level of my voice. “Look, it’s pretty clear that youarethe Worldweaver. I get that. And the Black Claw may be after your blood. But if we don’t have information, there’s nothing we can do except keep you safe and try to investigate as we go.”
She gave an impatient huff. “I know you’re right.”
“Always am.” I elbowed her playfully, and she shoved me away.
“I’m still mad at you,” she said. “You’ve been acting weird ever since Eli bonded, and I hate it.”
“I know I’ve been a grumpy asshole. Can I make it up to you?” I asked. “We could go out tonight.”
She raised her eyebrow. “Are you asking me on a date?”
My stomach flip-flopped. “Do you want it to be a date?”
She peered at me suspiciously, and said, “Let’s go. Where are you taking me?”
I put my arm around her shoulders. “Wherever your heart desires, my lady.”
She stared out the window. Outside, the snow was falling in thick, heavy chunks. In the gardens, the pond had completely frozen over. I smiled slightly. “I think I have an idea.”
We headed back to our dorms and changed out of our uniforms. I grabbed my skates, and she grabbed hers. She came out of her dorm wearing a thick woolen sweater, skinny jeans, a knitted hat… and Gods, leg warmers. Leg warmers weresosexy.
“You’re just going to wear your hockey jersey? Aren’t you going to be cold?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Companions run pretty hot even in the most frigid of conditions.”
“Hm.” She cocked a slight grin. “The better to keep me warm, then.”
