She scoffed. “Don’t worry. You’re not my type.”
Liar, I thought. I recognized the attraction in her eyes earlier, and I could taste the lust in the air when I had her in my arms. She might not want to admit it, but the Earth Fae Royal definitely found me appealing. And the feeling was very mutual.
“I conjured you some tea,” I said, nodding to the mugs. “Once Zeph arrives, we’ll figure out how to find food.”
She didn’t touch the mug or reply, instead choosing to gaze out the windows. As I hadn’t turned on any of the lights, she could see everything with clarity, including the gnats glowing below. But it was the Academy beyond that she seemed to be studying—the endless sea of gothic architecture.
“It’s several blocks wide,” I said. “The living quarters are spread throughout. In case you were curious, Shade resides on the opposite side of campus, which is about a fifteen-minute walk.”
“I wasn’t curious.”
Maybe not, but I caught the glimmer of approval in her expression.
Yeah, she definitely doesn’t like him.
“Zeph will give you a proper tour tomorrow, and once you have your schedule, I’ll help you map out your courses.” I picked up the mug closest to me and took a sip of the warm, minty liquid.
Perfection.
If she chose not to touch hers, then I’d help myself to it next.
After another swallow, I dove into an explanation of her future. “You’ll have four days of classes, then two days off, then three days on again, followed by three days off. The cycle repeats after that. So twelve days total. There will be a longer break in the middle of the year for the Solstice, but otherwise, the schedule keeps.”
“And what will I be learning?”
“You’ll have a mixture of dark arts courses, physical training, and likely a political course.” Because apparently she knew nothing about the five Midnight Fae bloodlines. Well, technically six. But only five were still in existence today.
“I’m an Elemental Fae, not a Midnight Fae.”
“An Elemental Fae who was bitten by a Midnight Fae, thereby introducing you to the dark arts. It’s in your blood now.” Or that was what Chern had hypothesized. Given what I’d observed so far, he was likely very wrong. Without her access to the elements, Aflora seemed as harmless as a human.
Hopefully, she remained that way. Then this could all blow over. She’d return to her realm, Shade would be punished for his transgressions, and all would be right with the world again.
I met her wide gaze as I took another pull from my drink and noted her ashen cheeks. My brow furrowed. “What?”
“I… It’s…” She swallowed. “His bite infected my blood?” Her small hand went to her throat as she took a step backward, her expression falling. “A… abomin… I’m a…” She collapsed onto the sofa, and her head fell to her hands.
I frowned at her. “You hadn’t pieced that together already?”
No reply.
Only a hitch of her shoulders as she fought off what sounded like a sob.
Fuck.
Crying women were not my thing. I didn’t know how to handle them or how to calm them. Did I walk over there and pat her head? Offer condolences? Lie to her about the inevitable?
I palmed the back of my neck. “I, uh, I’m sor—”
“I’m going to kill him!” Aflora snapped. Her tear-filled eyes captured my gaze, her cheeks red with emotion.
But it wasn’t sadness or self-pity.
Aflora was livid.
And those weren’t tears.
No. Her bright blue irises were aflame with power.