My eyes narrow on Ash, my body flushing hot.
“Fuck Black Knight Corp.,” I hiss, loud enough for him to hear but no one else. Both Ash’s brows raise at my ire. “And fuck Julian cuntish Vanderbilt.”
I spin, slamming my lips on Loki’s as my hands tangle in his silky hair. He remains still for a millisecond, clearly in shock. Then with a deep, panty melting groan, he kisses me back, pulling me closer with a firm grip on my arse. I vaguely hear gasps from those that surround us, but I’ve no more fucks to give. Unless, of course, it’s with my guys.
Although I long to give into Loki’s demanding kiss, I break away, panting and trembling with a heady mix of lust and anger. Turning back, I find Ash still standing there. He looks less angry, a softness to his face, even though there’s a tightness about his shoulders that tells me he’s worried.
Stepping away from Loki, I step into Ash, cupping his face with my palm and bringing him down to my lips. He comes readily, his lips meeting mine in a kiss full of tenderness, and understanding. There’s definitely another gasp from our audience—are we in some kind of teen movie?— but like before, it’s hardly on my radar as he destroys me with his soul aching kiss. It’s sweet, and beautiful, like the sun on your face after a long cold winter, and I bask in it.
Unwillingly pulling back, I look past him to see that Kai and Jax have joined us, encircling us in their protection with heat in their eyes. I step away from Ash, and Jax steps towards me.
“Fuck Black Knight,” he says, his voice fierce, his blue eyes wild and piercing. He grabs me around the waist, pulling me roughly towards him so that I fall into his huge chest.
His lips smash onto mine, his tongue demanding entry like this is a declaration of war. And it is. I will no longer be under Julian’s rule. I’ll marry Ash, because aside from the fact that a part of me really fucking wants to, it makes sense just in case anything does happen to me. I want to make sure that my control over the company goes to them so that they can continue to work towards overthrowing the current regime.
But I will no longer let anyone tell me what I can and can’t do. Jax breaks the kiss as abruptly as he started it, proud approval shining in his eyes. I turn to face Kai, who has come up behind me, when a loud crack lands on my arse, the pain making me gasp alongside the rest of the students who are staring at us with eyes hungry for a scandal.Bloody caveman.
“Lilly, darling,” Kai murmurs, holding me captive in his honey brown eyes as he steps into me, his hands coming up to cup my face tenderly. My own rest on his chest, relishing in the fact that I can feel his thundering heart through the silk of his suit jacket. “You are our queen, and we are your loyal knights, ready to go into battle on your behalf and bathe in the blood of our enemies,” he tells me, his eyes boring into mine as he speaks of war like a love declaration.
His full lips lower, pressing onto mine as he holds my face, and my world rocks and tips under his caress. He worships me with his kiss, his tongue tasting like champagne and victory, or a war already won. The rest of the room fades away as we embrace. The music, the decorations, and other students become nothing more than a memory as our lips move together.
Reluctantly we part, taking a final breath of each other before separating. I look round at them, my Knights in tarnished armour, and my soul cries with joy at having found our mates. They look fierce, dressed to the nines in their black suits and bow ties, with matching expressions of determination on their breathtakingly handsome faces.
My gaze moves out into the room, seeing many have their phones out, no doubt recording this latest scandal to upload as soon as we leave. I stare into one device, my jaw set and shoulders back.
“The Black Knights are mine,” I declare, my war cry carrying out across the suddenly quiet room as one song finishes. “Try to take them away from me at your peril.”
My message isn't for the viewers of TikTok, or Instagram, but for Julian Vanderbilt himself. I know that he has eyes everywhere, and is watching our every move. I want him to know that he’s no longer calling all the shots.
“Let’s go,” I say to the guys, who continue to surround me as we start to make our way out of the ballroom.
“Lilly!” I hear just as we reach the top of the steps. Willow rushes towards me. “Aside from the fact that that was fucking awesome, even if I’m not sure why it was necessary,” she says, and I flush knowing that there is so much that I can’t tell her yet, if ever. “You left your purse at mine yesterday.”
I frown, not recalling having even been at hers yesterday as she hands me a small green silk purse, long and thin. She gives me a look, and like a camera zooming in, it comes back to me. The pregnancy test. Clutching the small bag, feeling the hard edges of the box inside, I throw my arms around her in a tight hug.
“Thank you,” I murmur in her ear. She hugs me back just as tight.
“What are BFFs for huh? Good luck, babe.”
My heart pounds as I let her go, turning to resume walking out of the doors which open as we approach. Dread swirls in my stomach, alongside fluttering butterflies, my thoughts swirling like a vortex.
Did I just fuck up declaring war on Julian? Will he retaliate? What happens next?
But a burning question rises above all the others, repeating in my head until it’s all that I can think about.
What if I’m pregnant?
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
LILLY
“Ijust need the loo,” I say, when we get back to the dorm, not even taking off my shoes as I rush into the bathroom.
I can feel their eyes on me as I close the door, but I need to do this alone. I just want to process whatever the result is before telling them. Kicking off my green sequined heels, I tear open the purse, finding a digital test inside. I silently thank Willow for getting the one that literally tells you if you’re pregnant or not, and open the box, taking the test out of its wrapping.
Now or never, Lilly.
I set the test to one side whilst I hitch the silk of my dress up, tucking the hem into the top so it’s completely out of the way—I know! I am the epitome of ladylike behaviour.