Chapter 48

Aelia

This was ridiculous, over the top, and completely unnecessary. I glared at my newest roommate stretched out on the settee beside the hearth as Rue watched our exchange in delight. Conveniently, my original roommate had a date with Devin tonight, which meant I'd have to suffer Reign's presence alone.

It had been difficult enough attempting to explain to Rue why our professor would be staying in our chamber for the foreseeable future. He claimed things would settle down after the term break, but I feared it was only an effort to appease me.

"Oh, how I wish I could stay for this!" Rue squealed and clapped her hands.

I shot her a scowl from across the room as she plucked the purse from her bed. "Then you should, really you should."

She clucked her teeth and zipped to the door with her bag tucked beneath her arm. "I wish I could, but Devin would just be heartbroken if I cancelled our date."

"Then don't cancel, just come back after…"

Her eyes glinted with mischief. "Why put up with the date at all if I don't stay to reap the benefits after?"

Reign's deep chuckle rumbled in the air. "She has a point."

I twisted my head over my shoulder and sneered. I never expected that he'd be so fond of my roommate's naughty humor. More than that, I was shocked she was suddenly so loose lipped around our foreboding instructor. Only a few hours together and they'd become the best of friends. She barely twitched at the sight of him anymore.

Two sharp knocks put an abrupt end to the discussion.

"That must be him!" Rue flitted to the door as if her luminous wings had finally emerged. Swinging it open with a smile, she didn't even bother to ask Devin to enter. "Have fun tonight!" With a quick wave over her shoulder, she abandoned me with the shadow devil.

Traitor…

Reign slunk off the divan, wearing a loose-fitting dark tunic and linen trousers. I'd never seen him so casual. After he'd escorted me to the banquet hall, he'd dropped me off at my chambers while he went back to his to pack a bag. He had returned in record time wearing this ensemble, which I assumed was his sleeping attire.

He eyed me warily, and gritting my teeth, I returned the scrutinizing gaze. "What?" I blurted when the silent staring reached uncomfortable levels.

"Nothing." He shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled around the space, taking in every nook and cranny. He remained at the doorway to the bathing chamber for a long minute before finally turning around. "Have you bathed yet this evening?"

A fiery chill skirted up my spine at the sultry edge to his tone, stealing all rational thoughts. "I have not," I finally breathed out. He'd only left my side for a quarter of an hour at most. He would have known if I had.

"Perhaps you should. It will help you relax."

"I don't need to relax. I'm perfectly fine." I slapped my arms across my chest and shifted my weight to one foot. As if this defensive stance could somehow protect me from his roving gaze.

"You don't seem fine, princess. Your aura is a riot of brilliant colors." He inched closer. "One would think my presence made you nervous."

"I'm simply happy—no—absolutely thrilled that you are here."

He smirked and loomed closer still, so that I was forced to back up an inch or tempt a duel with his nose. "You have an odd way of showing your happiness."

"You know what? You're right," I hissed. "I am upset, not because you're here, but because you lied to me for months."

"How did I lie?"

"All that time you spent by my side, training me, ‘protecting' me from the other students, it was all because of Draven, not because you actually cared—" Oh gods, someone cut off my tongue.

"So that is what you're upset about?" His dark brows furrowed as if I'd just revealed the most ludicrous answer.

"You lied," I hedged. "That is what troubles me."

"Hmm." A harsh line slashed across his lips, and a long moment of silence descended. I nearly pushed past him to get to the bathing chamber simply to escape the endless quiet when he cleared his throat. "It may have started as a simple task, Aelia, but the more I watched you, the more it became clear just how extraordinary you are. Draven's caution was well-founded. You possess a rare blend of kindness and compassion, coupled with unparalleled courage and an unconquerable spirit—qualities that make you the most remarkable female I've ever encountered. And powerful, Noxus, let us not forget powerful." His hand slowly lifted to my cheek, and the backside of his calloused fingers brushed my skin. "And now, I simply cannot seem to stay away from you."

"Reign…" I growled and pressed my hand to his chest. Warmth seeped through the soft material and every nerve ending in my palm spasmed at the faint contact. His shadows slithered between my fingers, up and around my arm. "You must stop doing this…"

"Why?"

"Because you're making my head spin and my heart—" I snapped my jaw closed before I blurted something completely mortifying.

Reign's crawling shadows morphed into wings and propelled him to the opposite side of the chamber. I stared up at him in shock, the sudden absence of his presence leaving my body cold. This attraction between us was purely physical—outrageously out of control, but only a matter of hormones. I wasn't na?ve enough to believe there was anything more.

"You're right," he murmured. "I need to get a hold of myself. I apologize, I only need some time to adjust to this new situation."

Of us spending every waking moment together? I wasn't sure I could ever be in his proximity and not feel him everywhere.

"If you do not wish to bathe, then I will. I could use a cold bath." He dropped his piercing gaze and stalked past me, moving straight into the bathing chamber without another glance.

The moment the door closed, I released a ragged breath. Remaining in close proximity to this male until the end of the term would surely be the death of me. I'd rather the risk of an attack by Lucian or Kian at this point.

* * *

"Aelia! Aelia, don't!"

A panicked voice snapped me from a fitful sleep. I jolted upright in bed and scanned the room, my mind muddled with the haze of slumber. When had I fallen asleep?

"Aelia, no!"

My heart catapulted up my throat as I recognized the voice. Reign. Leaping out of bed, I raced into the bathing chamber and slid to a halt only a foot from the bubbling pool, nearly slipping on a patch of moss crawling across the stone.

Reign lay beneath the gentle spray of the cascade, eyes closed, and brow furrowed with concern.

"Aelia," he murmured again. A vein across his forehead jumped, twitching in an erratic beat. "Please, Father, no. It cannot be her." He was dreaming… of me?

I crept closer, careful to avoid slipping on the slick moss and tumbling into the pool along with him.

"It's not her…" he muttered again. "It cannot be."

I dropped down to my hands and knees to make out his rushed murmurs, forcing my eyes to remain focused on his face instead of his bare form beneath the bubbling cascade. His head lay against the stone, eyes closed, but the typical serenity of sleep didn't relax his features. He wasn't simply dreaming of me; this was a nightmare.

His bare chest heaved, and a part of me felt guilty for not waking him. But I needed to hear more. I leaned closer, so close that my nose could graze the shell of his pointy ear if I breathed too deeply. His musky, frosted scent invaded my nostrils and heat pooled low in my belly. Raysa, my attraction to this male was not normal.

"Aelia, I'm sorry. I am so very sorry…"

My heart pinched at the sorrow in his tone before a whisper of fear simmered. What was he apologizing for? What could he have done to deserve such a heartfelt sentiment?

I pushed myself up, intent on getting as far away from this enigmatic male as possible, when a hand snaked out and wrapped around the back of my neck. My breath hitched as Reign's fingers dug into the hair at my nape.

"Aelia?" His lids fluttered and I released a stuttering breath. "What are you doing here?"

Heat raced up my neck and flourished across my cheeks. Oh goddess, I must look like a complete fool! On my hands and knees beside him as he lay naked in the bath.

I wriggled free of his grasp and leapt to my feet. "You called for me. I was sleeping and I heard your voice, and I just ran and then, I don't know, I guess you were sleeping too…" Oh please, goddess, help me. "I will wait for you in my bed." I clapped my hand over my mouth and muttered a curse. "That did not come out as intended." I threw my thumb over my shoulder. "I will be out there. Not waiting. Oh, just come out whenever. Or not at all." I spun around and my bare foot slipped on the moist moss. My legs slid out from under me and I hurtled headfirst into the shimmering pool.

The tepid waters blanketed my body, only adding to the rising heat. I kicked and struggled and broke through the swirling waters only to find a pair of dark orbs hovering over me.

"Are you all right?" Reign stood on a step, revealing the masterpiece that was his perfectly sculpted form. Muscled, flawless skin rippled as far as the eye could see, the rushing water just barely covering his manly bits.

Oh, for Fae's sake, how did this keep happening to me?

"Yes, I'm fine," I spat and waded toward the steps, my long dressing gown filling with water and only slowing me down. When I reached the ledge, Reign offered a hand, but I shook my head and warm droplets rained down from my sodden hair. "I can get out on my own."

"Clearly, I was only trying to be a gentleFae."

I snorted on a laugh. "That is quite comical coming from you. It is your fault I'm in this mess to begin with."

"My fault?" His dark eyes turned incredulous.

"Yes, you were the one crying my name in your sleep."

"How kind of you to come to my rescue, but as you can see, I'm just fine." He lifted to his tiptoes, and I could just make out the sharp V trailing down to?—

Oh, goddess. I squeezed my eyes shut.

With my lids sealed, I felt my way up the steps until I reached the vanity. Hazarding a peak through slitted lids, I found a towel and wrapped it around my drenched and now partially translucent sleeping gown. When I finally lifted my gaze to Reign's, his eyes were locked on my peaked nipples. Oh, the mortification.

Without another word, I stormed out of the bathing chamber and slammed the door behind me.

Much too soon, I'd barely had enough time to peel off my sodden nightgown, Reign appeared with only a small towel wrapped around his narrow hips. My traitorous gaze trailed his movements as he sauntered across the chamber to the bag of clothes he'd left beside my closet. When he spun around, his eyes locked on mine, and a sly grin curved his lips.

"See something you like, princess?"

"I hate you," I snarled. "Just get dressed already!"

"I prefer to sleep in the nude, but for you I suppose I could settle on my underdrawers. Is that going to be a problem?"

"Yes, a big problem." I flopped onto the plush mattress and drew the coverlet over my head.

"Fine," he growled. I could just make out the soft whoosh of fabric coming over his head, and I released another breath of relief. "Now where do you suppose I should sleep?"

I could practically hear the smile in his tone. Why did he enjoy torturing me so?

"On the sofa, on the floor? Perhaps, you can ask your dear friend the headmaster to provide another bed if you'll be joining us until the end of the term. But right now, I really don't care, Reign, just please let me sleep."

He grumbled something I was thankful I couldn't make out, then a long minute of silence ensued.

"Goodnight, Reign," I finally called out, refusing to lift my head from the pillow. I didn't need to steal another look at his perfect form. As it was, the image would be perfectly ingrained in my mind for the rest of my sun-cursed life.

"Goodnight, Aelia, and sweet dreams."