16
Corbin
Harper turns in the bed so she’s looking up at me. I stare down at her, taking in every inch. I can’t say I didn’t fantasize about getting her in my bed. I did. Every day since I met her. And she was worth the wait.
The second I was inside her, the mating bond snapped into place and I knew why I felt so deeply connected to her. She is mine. There’s no denying it.
“What’s that look for?” She brushes her fingers over my cheek.
“I’m memorizing this moment,” I say. It’s the truth. I want this afterglow forever in my memory.
Harper lowers her hand and shakes her head. “You’re too good for me.”
My brow furrows and I adjust so my head is next to hers. “Why would you say that?”
“It’s true,” she says. “I’m not the girl who gets the nice guy. Look at who else I attract.”
“If you’re referring to your other mates, stop. Who you are fated with doesn’t say anything about who you are or who you choose to be.”
“See?” She sits up. “That’s what I’m talking about. You’re so sweet and understanding. I’ve never been with anyone like that.”
“Even in the human world?” I ask.
She’s quiet for a moment, as if considering my words.
I sit up and wrap a blanket around the two of us, pulling her in closer to me. “You had human boyfriends, I’m sure.”
“They were all assholes,” she says. “The only people who treated me well were my friends.” She frowns.
“Tell me about them.” Harper rarely opens up about her life before the academy. We’ve talked a lot but mostly about her new life.
“My best friends were amazing,” she says. “Sasha and James. They were the best part of my life.”
“You must miss them,” I say.
She glances around the room, then leans closer to me. “They’re supposed to be dead.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
She blows out a breath. “They killed them when they came for me but Adrian says he didn’t take them. Somehow he let them live.”
I’m stunned. I’ve heard rumors about the life and death magic wielded by Professor Cardale. I’ve also heard rumors that he still works for the King of Keys. And if that’s the case, what’s to stop him from passing on information about Harper?
“You and Professor Cardale…” I let the words hang in the air.
“I told you about that,” she says defensively.
“Harper, can you trust him? What if he’s still working for the king?” I ask.
“He’s not,” she says.
“How can you be sure?” I ask. “Are you sure you really have a bond with him?”
She lifts an annoyed eyebrow and I know I’ve moved into dangerous territory. Mating bonds are strange. And the longer they hold between a mated pair, the more intense the feelings get.
“If I could turn it off, I would,” she says.
“I’m not asking that,” I say quickly. “I would never ask that. I worry about the king.”