21

IVY

THE suite was something out of a ritzy hotel. The ones with classic hardwood floors and mahogany furniture and a cleaning waiver higher than my salary.

And the bedrooms...The beds were softer than anything I’d ever slept on. I thought the safe house beds were something dreamy. But these…These were something else. They were as light as goose-feather and the layout was so cosy, I didn’t want to leave.

Someone had set up one of the bedrooms with three single beds, each as soft and plush as the last. The girls even had their own bathroom, which had a nice, deep tub, a shower, and a separate toilet. The walk-in closet had an assortment of new clothes, all the perfect size, and all as luxurious as the rest of the suite.

When asked, Adrian admitted his mother had a love for spoiling all her children, and since she was towards the end of her life, was probably hoping to spoil some more. She was the kind of grandmother who would do anything for her grandchildren, he claimed, and his siblings either loved it—or hated it.

Right now, I wouldn’t say no to the extra love my sisters might receive. They certainly deserved it.

There were other gifts left out for them, too. Maisie got an assortment of toys and picture books. Ginny, on the other hand, had a brand-new dance uniform and shoes, with a promise to enrol her in classes come the next semester. And Eloise...She wouldn’t say it, but she loved the care package waiting for her. Make-up and skin care, hair oils and even a brand-new handbag—all the things a teen could want.

While they settled in, I made my way through the rest of the suite. I stopped in the doorway of Thea’s room and found her rifling through the stuff she’d been given.

“How are you liking it?” I asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Thea huffed before running a hand through her hair. “I’m a little overwhelmed. Did you see the clothes? These look more expensive than our apartment, Ives. I mean, I’ve always had good taste, but holy shit . This is just...”

I smiled and walked towards her. Wrapping my arms around her, I held her for a moment before saying, “You deserve all the designer, expensive things.”

“I know,” she replied. When I pulled away, she gave me a watery smile. “I wonder if there are like...balls. Really fancy, whimsical ones.”

An ember of excitement lit up within me at the idea. “Could you imagine having a Cinderella moment?”

“Hell yes I can!” Her smile turned into a grin, and she shook her head. “Do you think my parents are here?”

I stiffened, biting my lip. “We should ask. Although, if your mom was here, we ’d know.”

At that, Thea laughed. “Oh, God, we would. The fanny-pack would be out, the visor on, and she’d have binoculars and one of those creature encyclopaedia things out, using it like a bird book, just pointing out the different supes with Dad.”

The visual was one I would never forget, and we broke down in laughter. It made me feel more comfortable knowing that her parents were going to be here at some stage, that Thea wouldn’t be alone in all this—that neither of us would anymore.

After a while, I left Thea to her own devices—meaning, she wanted to fully go through her new wardrobe and catalogue her finds. I hadn’t had a chance to really seek out the room that was supposed to be mine, but it wasn’t hard to find. Elias was already waiting in the doorway for me, his arms crossed, a half-smile playing at his lips.

When I approached, I found the entire team inside what was apparently a bedroom.

One bigger than my apartment.

I gaped at the huge, four poster bed with a gauzy canopy and mountain of pillows. It was bigger than a king, maybe twice the size. Built for...big groups, I guessed. The linen was a pretty blue and gold that resembled the sky outside. At the foot of the bed was an ottoman, which was currently being used by Adrian, who sat there with a knowing smile.

Rowan, leaning against the bed, gave me a goofy smile. And when I sought out Maeve, I found her standing by the open door of a private balcony.

“Holy shit,” was all I could muster. But it got...better? Worse? I wasn’t sure. Across from the bed was a television—who knew the supernatural world would have TV—surrounded by built-in shelves full of books. Some were from authors I recognised, others were entirely new and exciting titles that must have been printed in Avalon.

I spied another door and stalked towards it. Throwing it open, I gasped. Either side of me were racks of clothing. Jeans, t-shirts, skirts, dresses. There were elegant pantsuits like the one Queen Greer had worn, and different sets of robes like Sir Ya’Dahir, only prettier and more feminine.

And...

“Are these... uniforms? ” I asked, barely holding back my distaste. There was a row of plaid skirts and matching slacks, all sewn with the same red and gold fabric. Above them hung blouses, all white, with a school insignia on the breast over the heart. There were also a few red-knit cardigans next to them.

I shivered as my team entered the closet. Rowan whistled under his breath, while Adrian reached out to pull at one of the blouses. “I definitely don’t miss this about Oberon,” he muttered before releasing it.

Elias came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, while Maeve carefully pulled several more garments I ’d missed off a different rack and added them to the other uniforms.

“These are for your more active classes,” she said.

My brows shot up into my hairline. “Gym? Are you saying I have to take a gym class? ”

“Not quite,” she replied. “It’ll be more to do with weapon handling, self-defence, and honing your magic with your fighting ability. But don’t worry. You’ll only be in intermediate classes. Nothing too extreme, since your focus will be politics.”

I blew out a shaky breath as flashbacks to high school gym hit me hard. The fitness pacer test and the absolute humiliation that came with it. The freaking climbing rope. I got away with field hockey, since Thea and I were at least semi-decent at that, but otherwise, gym was hell .

And I had no doubt a room full of overpowered supernatural creatures would make it even worse.

~

I managed to slip away for a couple moments of peace.

And peace came in the form of a bubble bath in the biggest, deepest tub I’d ever seen. I sunk below the surface for a long moment before sitting up, wiping the suds and foam off my face. I didn’t even care that I would have to jump in the beautiful stone waterfall shower after to wash my hair.

I was in my very own slice of heaven.

Now, I understood why, when we stayed at nice hotels with Andrew, Kerry had always demanded at least an hour alone to sit in the tub.

There are settings and hidden jets, too, Adrian said, his voice teasing. You know, if you want a little fun.

I rolled my eyes, cheeks warming. Ugh. Men and their innuendos. I hadn’t missed how Adrian and Elias ’s bonds both grew warmer with devious thoughts of me in that horrible uniform. What college had uniforms?

I knew it wasn’t a traditional college, but seriously? Were we not adults? Couldn’t we dress ourselves?

A different kind of warmth trickled down the bond, and I opened up to Maeve. Is something wrong? I asked, my hands going to the edge of the tub. I couldn ’t ignore the tug in my chest that told me to seek her out. We still hadn’t one-hundred percent completed the bond. I knew Maeve was hesitant for her own reasons, and I would never pressure her.

Nothing, a mhuirnín, she replied. The use of her pet name for me made my skin tingle. But would it be okay if I came in?

Of course. Not a moment later, Maeve slipp ed into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. No longer did she wear gear; she was back in her own satin blouse, this one a deep navy blue, and black slacks.

I had to admit, she was hot . And now that we were mated, I had no issue admitting it. Her legs were toned, and her slacks tightened ever so slightly around her thighs. She wore a single dagger at her hips, which apparently did something to me. Beneath the water, I had to press my thighs together.

Maeve watched me from the doorway, her eyes darkening until they were more red than blue, and her nostrils flared as I slid beneath the water. It was hard hiding the desire and arousal, but by the looks of it, I’d failed.

My cheeks burned red, and I ducked my head. “Sorry,” I said, clearing my throat. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”

Maeve stood there for a moment longer, and I couldn’t help but think she was a predator, looking at her prey.

And I was the prey.

I could admit I liked it when she looked at me like that. And my desire only heightened at the thought.

Finally, she shook her head. Approaching the tub, she sank to her knees beside me, keeping her eyes locked on mine. “This is temporary.”

My stomach sank. “What do you mean?”

“This suite. This...situation. Sir Ya’Dahir, he is the one who runs the Phoenix Compound and Training Centre and is essentially the leader. Like the head of your FBI.” I’d gathered as much, but I didn’t say it aloud. I actually welcomed her explanations, her ability to relate it back to something back home. “He will likely be here a lot.”

I frowned, nodding. “That makes sense.”

“That doesn’t upset you?”

They think I might... My eyes widened. “Of course not! He’s like...Adrian’s dad, or stepdad, or whatever their relationship is. That would mean I’m crazy, and I refuse to be crazy.”

Maeve smiled, one that looked more genuine than any she’d ever given me, and the way she laughed...it made my heart swell to a size that didn’t seem possible. “That’s not what I meant,” she finally said, grinning enough to show the points of her fangs. “I meant, would that overwhelm you or the children.”

Now, I felt like an idiot. Sinking further down into the tub, I shook my head. “They should get to know someone from Queen Greer’s...whatever you call it. And I’ll be at the academy soon, right?”

There was no hesitation in the way she reached for my hand and entwined our fingers, locking them on the edge of the tub. My heart skipped a beat, skin tingling from the contact.

“You leave for the academy in two weeks. During the week, you’ll be on campus at the dorms. It’s the safest way to attend. Weekends, you can be here. Thea and the kids will have twenty-four-hour protection. I’m going to take Elias at some stage to assemble a team, if that’s okay.”

“Yes, of course. I trust you two completely.” I gave her hand a squeeze to emphasise it. “What do you know about Thea’s family?”

“Since they were on a cruise, we had teams waiting for them. They’re in protective custody, and on their way to Avalon with Jay’s team. And your belongings from your home and apartment are currently in storage, awaiting final inspection for any lingering charms or trackers, before they’re moved to the Queen’s Wing.”

I nodded slowly; it was a lot to take in, but it also gave me great comfort knowing Maeve knew what was going on. I wasn’t sure if I could handle not having answers.

“Maeve—”

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out.

I leaned in closer, ignoring the shifting water and my attempt at modesty. “Why are you sorry?” I asked, frowning.

“I feel as though I haven’t been completely honest with you. Because I haven’t. And you deserve to know why I’m so...hesitant.”

My hand tightened around hers. “Maeve, if you aren’t—”

“I am. You’re my mate. I keep seeing the way Rowan looks at you, like he’s determined to prove his worth, and I realise how selfish I’ve been since we formed the bond. I’ve been keeping you at arm’s length, while Elias is unable to stop touching you. Adrian gazes at you like you’re the Goddess Herself, and I’m...afraid.”

Her words made my heart race. But I couldn’t formulate a response, couldn’t fully articulate what I was feeling. There was a part of me that felt the same. Like, for some reason, I hadn’t been good enough. That to Maeve, there was something missing.

But she had her own demons. Maybe she’d finally won that battle.

“I was afraid this wouldn’t last. That the bond was temporary. Like I would wake up once your blood was out of my system, and the connection would be gone. You would be gone. And I couldn ’t stand it. But then I was terrified that I would give in, and you would see just how broken I am.”

For a long moment, she stared at me, her words hanging in the air. My heart finally slowed until it was a strong, steady beat in my chest. But my blood hummed in my ears, and the effect of her being so close tingled across my skin. When I sucked in a breath, all I could smell was her; the ocean on a cloudy day, the wind skating over the sand and carrying within the brine of the sea, and a touch of sweetness, a dollop of vanilla.

“I’m still broken,” she said, her voice thick with emotion, “but I’m here. I won’t push you away.”

My heart twisted, but I knew that was better than nothing. I just hoped she trusted me with whatever was tearing her apart.

“I won’t run away,” I replied, offering her a smile.

Maeve’s eyes closed in relief, and we stayed until the water cooled and I was forced to get out. The heat of the shower and the smell of coconut relaxed the other, overwhelmed parts of me. Maeve and I would find our new normal. The kids were finally safe. There was a chance a bond would be revealed between Rowan and I, and there was two weeks before I’d be forced into one of those atrocious uniforms.

And yet, I touched my chest and rubbed my sternum. That knowledge that I was still missing something created a deep ache in my body. Even now, I reached for the bond between us and found it dark and wrong.

In time, my flower , he whispered down the bond. You will be mine.