41

IVY

I STARED tiredly at my Foundations of the Council textbook as our professor, Nimona, a shifter of the prey sort, droned on about the different sections of government and who ruled what. My thoughts were a mess, mostly caught on the lack of information we’d found days ago. Nothing to explain Thea or her creature.

First, we’d assessed whether she could be Fae of some sort. Other than the clear lack of pointy ears, we’d delved into their old—now forbidden—history of Changelings. Since there were roughly eight primary Courts of Fae, and several dozen denizens for each, there was always a possibility she’d come from a now extinct bloodline or creature. But nothing in the ancient Fae records answered any of Thea’s questions. Like why her eyes shifted colour. Or the heat she felt, the constant warmth filling her chest. Though I had a feeling I knew what the unsettled, longing feeling could be.

We’d moved on to the Underworld then. Again, despite the large factions and the many different types of demon, we’d found nothing that could tell us about Thea.

And after nearly five hours of research, we’d had to call it quits because of a dinner we were forced to attend with Queen Greer’s mates—minus the Queen herself. But at least Seer Sable had been there, making it somewhat less awkward.

I’d left that night with a promise to Thea that I would do more research for her, while she and Adrian went back to the drawing board.

Ugh . I rubbed my eyes tiredly as Professor Nimona started on her lecture about how the shifters had their own hierarchies, much like the political make-up of the Council. “The strongest member of each pack is known as the Alpha,” she drawled, making her way down the rows of desks. “And these Alphas form part of the Council. These seats of power are usually inherited from parent to child in Shifter packs, though others can fight the Alpha for the right to rule.”

“In the case of our Council, this isn’t common,” she continued. “It is rare that creatures of a particular species decide the one representing them is unfit for their position on the council. But one may initiate a challenge for the seat.”

Professor Nimona paused in front of the classroom, and her black eyes drifted over all of us. “ This is why power is an important part of our structure. It does not mean strength of the body, and many fail by having that mindset. Power means strength of the mind, body, and magic. An Alpha is only as strong as the beast they shift into, of course. But to be smart is to be deadly. You may have the magic of fire, but that is no match if your adversary is smarter than you are.”

A chime sounded, signalling the end of the class. I slammed the textbook shut as her mention of fire replayed in my head. It was probably nothing, but it didn’t sit right with me.

Slowly, I turned to Vanya, who scrubbed a hand down her face. “Ugh. I could totally go without this class. I don’t know why, but it’s so boring,” she said as she packed away her own book.

Shoving the tome into my bag, I rose and rolled my tense shoulders back. “It’s not...that bad.”

Maybe under other circumstances, I’d be interested. Despite not being much of a politics girl back home, I didn’t have much of a choice in being one now, and I didn’t want to get behind. There were people here who were so much better equipped at ruling than I was. All I had was the power of Nyx but I sure as hell wasn’t very smart in other areas.

Ask me to write a compelling romance with a twist, and I’d have no issue.

But expect me to take the throne and somehow rule over all these people? Unlikely.

My stomach twisted, and warmth filled the bond. On most ends. I hadn’t felt anything from Ry in a while, like he hadn’t been around the last couple of days. It made me nervous, but I tried not to dwell on it too much.

I wasn’t entirely sure why I was protecting him. It wasn’t like he deserved it. But I still had this need to save him, to hold him tight and run my fingers through his hair. I missed those nights in the cabin, when I’d sneak away after Kerry and Andrew had fallen asleep. We’d spend the night together wrapped in an old sleeping bag under the stars, with little picnics I pulled together without being caught. They were memories I so badly wanted to keep locked up, but they snuck up on me when I least expected them to.

Shaking my head, I followed Vanya out into the busy halls as we made our way to our next class.

“So, how was your weekend? You have a particular glow about you,” Vanya teased, linking her arm in mine as we followed the crowds.

My cheeks warmed and I quickly shook my head. “I had a pretty quiet weekend.” Unless you count failing at finding out what my best friend happened to be. “Spent time with the kids. Hung out at the library with no luck.”

Vanya offered me a sympathetic smile. “I hope your friend figures it out. Sounds really interesting, and I wish I could help.”

“It’s okay. She’s a little disappointed, but I’m sure we’ll find something.”

As we rounded a corner, we almost slammed into the backs of other students. Vanya and I stumbled to a halt as gasps and soft murmurs filled the hall. We were outside the Communications classroom; the last time we were here, we’d been cornered by the three mages with hurt egos.

“What the fuck?” Vanya muttered, as other students filled the hall. I rose onto my toes to see what everyone was looking at, and bit down on a gasp.

Three bodies chained to the wall by their wrists, heads bowed, bloody and almost unrecognisable. From this angle, it looked as though their throats had been slit.

My ears rang and my stomach bottomed out. The threads of my magic rose with a need to protect. Vanya’s arm tightened around mine, and through the haze, I heard her try to ask me questions, but my tongue was heavy, my mouth dry.

The three bodies were the mages who’d cornered us.

They were dead.

My chest tightened and my lungs refused to fill with air. It wasn’t until Maeve appeared, that its hold loosened. She cupped my cheeks, rubbing circles on my heated flesh. It was the stark difference that shocked me out of the full force of the panic, but it wasn’t gone yet. My magic still burned through my veins.

Despite the ringing in my ears, the soft murmur of her voice brought me back. She wasn’t speaking English, but something else. I focused on the soft, gentle lilt of her voice, on the way her lips moved, on the feel of her hands on my face and the weight of her body pressed into the front of mine.

I focused on her and her alone until the panic subsided and the haze lifted.

Headmistress Sylvia entered the hall and she, along with Hawk and Rowan, were clearing everyone away from the bodies. I was suddenly glad for Maeve, because she—with the help of Vanya—blocked me from seeing them again.

Bile rose in my throat, and I wasn’t sure if I could hold it.

“You’re okay, a mhuirnín ,” Maeve whispered. “I have you. We have you.”

I pressed my lips together and closed my eyes, willing the sight from my memory. But it was like it’d been burned into my retinas. I saw the dead stare of Lain, the male with the silver-eyes. It was like he was watching me, even in death.

The buzzing in my ears worsened, but through it, I heard Maeve’s voice, sharp and lethal. “Clear the hall. I want everyone out,” she demanded. Her fingers remained on my face, and she didn’t move from her position in front of me. I tried to focus on the circular motion of her thumbs on my cheeks, on the calming sensations pooling down the bond.

“Is that room empty?” Maeve asked, and if someone replied, I didn’t hear it. “Make sure it is. Then call for Agent Beckham and inform him of what’s happened. Keep all students away from this hall. Is that understood?”

Through the ringing in my ears, someone responded. When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring into Maeve’s ferocious glare. Her irises were ringed red, nostrils flared, and dark anger filled her expression.

She wasn’t the calm, controlled team leader anymore.

Eyes on me, she guided me backwards into what I assumed was the Communications classroom. The tight hold she usually had on herself slipped. The bond, wound tight, opened to me.

Once we were in the room, there was nothing.No sound from the hall penetrated the walls. Even my magic shuddered and quietened.

It was only me and Maeve, with her hands still cupping my face. But her anger didn’t falter. She didn’t speak as she helped me sit at one of the tables, taking her hands off me for the first time since she found me in the corridor.My bag fell from my shoulder to the floor with a loud thud.

Her hands found my face again, but this time she checked me over with light touches and an observant gaze.

“Are you hurt at all?” she asked through clenched teeth, her voice stiff and edged with danger.

Slowly, I shook my head. “Not physically.”

Her eyes lifted from my body to meet mine. “You had no hand in what happened to those mages.”

I shuddered, my eyes closing as they appeared again. Silver-eyes, dark-hair, and blue-eyes. Their dead stares, slit throats, and lifeless expressions. I recalled the anger I’d felt when they’d cornered Vanya and I in the hall.

But I hadn’t wanted them dead. Not even hurt. He’d been dangerous, yes—they all had, but had they truly been a danger to me? If I’d learned anything about myself these last couple of months, it was that I could take care of myself, in more ways than just surviving.

They hadn’t been much of a threat to me. Not with my power. Not with my mates standing by.

So, why?

Maeve stroked a hand through my hair, the soft scrape of her nails causing a shiver to run down my spine. Her presence soothed the panic and rage in me. “We don’t suspect the attack to be from the enemy organisation,” Maeve murmured. “You are still safe here.”

I hadn’t even thought it might be them. The hanging bodies could have very well been a warning to me. But no. It wouldn’t make sense. If they’d wanted to send me a warning, they would have gone after someone I cared for, wouldn’t they? Or had it been a reminder that I wasn’t as powerful as I thought I was?

Forcing my eyes open, I met Maeve’s stare. “Just in case—”

“The team I built to protect the girls and Thea have already been notified and should be with them soon. They will not leave their sides. I promise you that.”

I released a shaky breath and nodded. “Thank you.”

Maeve’s hand paused at the base of my head, and her fingers curled in my hair. “You have nothing to thank me for. That’s why I’m here.”

“You’re more than just a team leader now, Maeve,” I whispered.

Her eyes hadn’t yet returned to their normal blue, the ring of red still present. They grew darker, the colour bleeding into her irises. “Ivy...” This time, she closed her eyes, and I noticed the slight rise and fall of her chest as she sucked in a breath.

Despite the tremble in my hands, I reached for her. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing. But she didn’t stop me as I brought my face close to hers and pressed a feather-light kiss to her lips.

The moment was quick and soft, and it was perhaps all I needed from my vampire mate to truly settle the magic. But it was like something snapped in Maeve, and the hand in my hair tightened, turning to a fist. She angled my face up and teased me with a kiss, brushing her lips over mine once. Then again. And a third time before a sound left my throat, one of need. My magic roared with the desire to be released, and the only way to do so was with her.

“Do you want to be at my mercy, mate?” Maeve breathed, the fist in my hair jerking my head to the side. Her eyes skimmed the column of my neck, over the thundering beat of my heart. “I am not in control of myself, Ivy. Not after that. Feeling your panic...I thought I might have to hunt down the one responsible for it and tear them apart.”

I met her gaze, felt her fear through the bond. “You don’t scare me, Maeve. I don’t know how many times I need to tell you this. But I will, every day, for the next five-hundred years, if that’s what you need to hear. I am not afraid of you, Maeve Grey. I never have been, and I never will be. You can lose control, because around me, you don’t need to be on all the time.” Her fist loosened, giving me enough room to move closer. “I love you.”

The words fumbled from my lips before I could stop them. But they made an impact, and Maeve reared back, shock igniting in her eyes. “Ivy...”

I swallowed and shook my head. “Don’t. I—I know it’s sudden, but it’s true. I love all of you. But you need to hear it, and you need to understand what it is I’m saying, because I don’t...I don’t offer my heart up willingly. But Maeve, I love you.”

Her eyes searched mine for a long moment, and then there was nothing but her mouth on mine, on her body pressing into me and her fingers scraping through my hair over and over until the anxiety of my words washed away.

I love you, too , she whispered down the bond. I have loved you for longer than I can admit. I have waited centuries for you, Ivy. I am yours, and you are mine.

Warmth rolled through me as her words settled between us. Without breaking the kiss, Maeve helped me to my feet before lifting me onto the table. Her hands drifted over me lightly, skimming the Oberon Academy uniform, like she was taking in each curve of my body. Each brush of her fingers ignited a fire within me. Burned my flesh with a need for more.

When she made it to my thighs, she gripped me possessively, fingers biting into my flesh. She parted my legs, fitting her body between them so that we were flush with one another. The kiss deepened as her free hand tipped my face back, giving her more access to my mouth. Punishing me with more. Maeve swiped her tongue over my teeth, and I opened to her, moaning as our tongues tangled together.

My entire body was alight with fire and desire. I should have been worried about someone walking in on us. Or feel weird about doing this in a classroom.

But all cares left me as Maeve lowered me onto my back and climbed atop me. She placed one of her knees between my thighs, inching higher to my throbbing core. Resting one hand beside my head, she broke the kiss. Her eyes returned to their normal, breathtaking blue, but remained was a hunger and possessiveness that made me tighten. Her other hand slid upwards, beneath the skirt, to the waistband of my panties.

“Are you certain you want this, my love?” she murmured.

I sucked in a sharp breath, heart pounding. “I need you, Maeve. Please.”

She didn’t hesitate as she slid her fingers beneath my panties. The chill of her fingers was like a shock, and my hips bucked as she slid them through my wetness. “I thought my favourite taste would be your blood. But your cum surpasses that.” Slowly, she pulled her fingers free and lifted them between us. They glistened with my arousal, and she brought them to her lips, licking each one clean. She moaned, the sound guttural—primal—and my pussy clenched as her pupils dilated. “How right I am about it. Your cunt is my favourite meal.”

I gasped as she slid off the table, pulling me down with her until my ass was at the edge. She glanced at me from between my legs as she slowly rolled my panties off and tucked them into her pants. “Are you comfortable, Ivy?” she asked as she pulled a chair up.

Gripping the edge of the table, I nodded. “I—I think so.”

The smile I received was nothing short of feral. “Perfect.”

And then she feasted.

My fingers tightened on the edges of the table as her tongue pushed inside my entrance. Her mouth moved over me, sucking, licking, teasing every inch of me. I arched off the table, and a sound that was almost a whine fell from my lips. I didn’t even care if anyone heard me. Not with Maeve’s head between my thighs and her tongue fucking me relentlessly.

Pressure built, coiling tight with my imminent release, but before I could reach it, Maeve slowed, flattening her tongue and teasing me with wide, slow strokes.

You thought it would be that easy, Ivy? she teased, circling the tip of her tongue around my clit, but never giving it the attention it needed. You thought you would come that quickly?

I arched my hips towards her mouth, seeking more than just a teasing touch. Please , I begged. More.

Maeve sucked on my clit, pulling it into her mouth sharply. I love hearing you beg. But I want you to say it out loud.

As she released my clit and returned to the slow, torturous licks, I chewed on my bottom lip. As badly as I wanted to come, I also enjoyed the torture. I liked the attention, and I feared that after all of this, we would return to how we had been before.

The longer you take to speak, the more classes you miss out on, she said. And what you miss out on, you’ll be punished for.

I groaned. “Please,” I said aloud, “I need more, Maeve.”

Her mouth left me for only a second as she lifted her head from between my legs. Our eyes met, and as she licked her lips, she slid two fingers inside me. My core tightened around her, and I bucked in response, but she brought her free hand to my stomach and pressed down. “You stay still if you want to come, a mhuirnín .”

I released a breath. “Maeve...”

Her fingers curled inside me, hitting that perfect spot. When I gasped, she smiled. “Still. And you will be rewarded.”

That was easy enough for her, I thought. But I held my tongue, and through hooded eyes, watched as she dipped her head between my thighs again and attacked my clit with her tongue. She sucked the nub into her mouth, matching the pace she’d set with her fingers.

“Oh, God,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut, panting hard as my body tightened.

My heart crashed in my ears, and the tight, hot feeling of my climax built again. This time though, Maeve didn’t relent. The pace of her fingers matched the hard thundering beats of my heart. Each swipe of her tongue took me closer to that precipice of pleasure.

She pushed me to the edge and continued even as I fell. I cried out as the climax rushed through me. Magic exploded in my chest, a crash of lightning as it erupted and flooded from me into Maeve. White spots danced behind my eyelids; my fingers gripped the table so hard I thought it might crack. Maeve only slowed when my body slumped, the thrusts of her fingers easing, her tongue only a light flicker against the swollen nub.

It wasn’t until I’d finally left the haze of the orgasm did she pull her fingers free and lift her head. I groaned at the loss of her fingers and mouth. My release dripped down her chin and fingers, but she licked each clean again, her eyes closing on a soft moan. “Divine,” she murmured.

I released a shuddering breath and finally released my hold on the table as the twinkling sound of the bell sounded in the room. It brought me back to reality like being hit by a truck. “Fuck.”

Maeve’s eyes opened, and she glared at the corner of the room, where the sound had come from. But she shook her head as she pulled my panties from her pocket and slid them back up my legs. “Are you feeling alright now?” she asked, right back to her normal tone.

Like she hadn’t just eaten me out in a classroom that’s surely going to fill with students.

“Maeve...” I sighed as she helped me stand and fix my skirt. “I’m okay. But are you?”

Her eyes darkened as they met mine, but instead of answering, she kissed me hard and possessively. “If I don’t become Agent Grey again, I will not let you leave this room,” she murmured as she pulled away. “Right now, we must both return to normal . Or what is normal for us. No matter how badly I want to tie you to my bed and fuck you endlessly.”

My cheeks heated and I pressed my thighs together as the intention of her words hit me. “I understand.”

Maeve smirked, cupping either side of my face. “No, you don’t. You don’t know the depraved things I want to do to you. The toys I have waiting for you.”

I shivered, ducking my head. “Now, I definitely do understand. ” Toys , I thought, glancing warily at my vampire mate. She was definitely full of surprises.

Her lips brushed mine in one final, sweet kiss. “I will escort you to your nextclass, and I will remain close by for the rest of the day. If anything else happens, I will pull you out.”

“Even if I’m ‘punished’?” I asked, cocking my head.

Maeve pursed her lips and shook her head. “You would enjoy that far too much, a mhuirnín .”

As we gathered my things, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. The panic and fear brought on by the mages wasn’t entirely gone—it still found a perch in my chest, thrumming as a reminder of what had happened. But it no longer consumed me.

Leaving the classroom, there was no sign of the bodies—or anyone else for that matter. I looked for Rowan, but he seemed to be elsewhere, and I let Adrian and Elias know I was okay.

But as we left the cordoned off hallway, a shiver—one of warning—rolled down my spine. I didn’t say anything to Maeve, but I did search the shadows for him .

Not yet , he seemed to promise. But soon .