24

Dove

Seven's shadow completely surrounded us, I couldn't even see Seven, only felt him on top of me. The foam sword released from my neck as Seven tossed it aside.

He replaced the blade with the gentle caress of his hand, his thumb brushing over my neck. My heartbeat pattered like a bunny caught in a fox's teeth, frozen in shock, playing dead.

Somewhere, I could hear Mr. Varma declaring him the winner, as if our fight was part of a tournament.

Leaning down and closing the little space between us, Seven spoke, words only for my ears. He growled, the vibrations reverberating through me, his breath hitting my ear sent shivers through my body straight to my core where our bodies pressed together. His fingers brushed against my neck. "Death right at my fingertips. We're only at the edge of the Shadow Vale. Drag you a couple more feet, and you'd be dead. You should fear me, Fated."

No fear came despite the vulnerable position. Because the Fated bond was insanely stupid, it made me feel safe. Safe with the devilish Shadow kitsune, hidden in his darkness.

His hardness pressed into me. And not just his muscles behind thin layers of fabric that separated our bodies.

Foxfire zinged through me from the close touch, cool comfort encasing me, hiding me. I didn't need the order of the Archfox to make me want him. I would have him right here in front of the entire academy. I pleaded, "Seven."

The pressure released instantly. His thumb brushed against my neck gently, as though ensuring no damage had been done. Then he held me in place as he pressed his nose into my hair.

This wasn't a fight. This was Seven scenting me, getting his fix of me like a drug. Using the guise of a fight to keep pretending he hated me. Hiding it from Kairos and Enko as a hate-filled sparring session.

Just a few more seconds of that delicious pulse of the foxfire from his touch, s omething inside me pleaded as I fought against it.

His lips pressed down on mine, his tongue lashing out with fury or passion. Pine and peppermint, our lips fought for dominance like our swords.

Seven broke the kiss, teeth skimming my lips as he broke away, his eyes widened in shock. He reverted to a scowl as he glared down at me.

My palms rose to his chest, not sure if I wanted to push him away or pull him closer and finish the kiss. He searched my eyes. The shadows above him broke like clouds after a storm. We stared at each other for a frozen moment in time, the foxfire thrumming from the direct contact with his skin for so long.

Kairos or Enko pummeled him, I'm not sure which. By the time I saw it, the three were in a tangle of fists and abs on the ground. With the two of them at full strength swinging, Seven remained on the ground, taking the beating without defending himself. His nose was bloody, his cheek red.

"Stop!" I yelled, diving toward the fight and putting myself between Seven and my other Fated men.

Enko's fists clenched as he glared down at Seven, his slight twitch told me he was about to lose control again. The feral haze glazed over his eyes, like he wasn't all there. Something else held his control.

Seven stood up, letting his nose bleed openly now as he stalked off toward the forest.

"That's it, the show's over!" Mr. Varma yelled, trying to break up the crowd around us. When he passed by, he glanced at Kairos, Enko, and me. "Get her to the infirmary for a check up."

Kairos moved forward to help me up, but I shook my head. "I'm fine. He didn't hurt me."

My eyes were on Seven, halfway to the treeline, a finger rising to my lips.

"He wouldn't hurt you, Dove. At least not physically," Kairos said, deadly calm. The calm before the storm. How much had they had seen within his shadows? I reveled in the memory of Seven's body pressing against mine, letting the flutter of excitement fill me.

Enko wrapped his arms under me, lifting me and cradling me to his gigantic chest, following my gaze to the retreating Seven. His eyes flashed with anger, but as he gazed down at me, it faded. "You're safe."

I struggled against Enko's grip. "I can walk."

"I got it," he growled, tightening his hold.

Kairos chuckled as he examined Enko's hold on me and my squirming. "Just let him hold you. He needs to ensure that you're safe. We couldn't reach you until Seven exited the Shadow Vale."

I gave up, slumping in submission in Enko's arms. "I don't need to see the nurse. He barely got a shot off on me. And I should go after him," I told them, my eyes drifting back to Seven, gone within the treeline.

"Not now, little fox," Enko's chest rumbled. I think he called me little fox not because I was little, but because he was so big.

Kairos reached out to touch my arm. Their touches gave a little comfort to that gaping black shadowy hole.

"He's my Fated," I whispered quietly after a long moment, unable to drive him from my mind.

Both of them shifted awkwardly, eyes looking for anything but me.

Kairos cleared his throat, "We get it, Dove. You are drawn to him. But take it from us, who have known him for years. It's going to take time for him to get used to this, and it's not safe for you to go after him when he's like this. He's a loner. And that's the way he likes it. Being Fated to him won't change that."

Enko adjusted his grip on me and gazed down at me, reassuring himself that I was safe in his arms.

I took a large gulp before asking, "Is he mad that I'm Fated to all three of you?" I paused. "That…you have to share?"

Kairos grinned, responding seriously, "Our duty is to keep you happy and safe, Dove, not to judge your foxfire for choosing multiple mates. We have had more time to come to terms with this than you have."

Enko nodded in agreement at his words. "Seven wants you. He was seconds away from losing control."

His eyes glassed over as he spoke, his eyes trailing over me, a feral urge lurking behind his eyes. His arms tightened around me, inhaling deeply.

"I'll stop at the temple to worship before we go back," I said so we could deviate course.

Enko hesitated, turning to Kairos, who shrugged and gestured for Enko to lead the way.

"My legs do work," I reminded him when we began to draw the stares of the Holy Foxes. Enko finally set me down right outside the front door while both Holy Fox guards watched with unwavering scrutiny.

"I'll be right out," I told them as a fat raindrop hit my cheek.

Kairos reached forward, wiping away the water with a thumb. "We'll be right here."

Once inside, I steered toward the back door, through the labyrinth of hallways until the cool fall air hit me. The drizzle created a wall between me and the forest where Seven hid.