He didn’t wait for my permission, though, and carted me toward the bed. I didn’t protest either. I was too busy trying to calm my erratic heartbeat.
He lounged at the edge of the bed and placed me on his lap, as if he’d decided that was where I belonged, and started drying my hair with the towel.
My face burned hot while my blood raced and heated.
“I’m dry now,” I said.
“So, he got to see her naked?” Axel grunted from downstairs. “She’s mine, too.”
“Ours,” Zak said. “Don’t start a war now, Axel. This is new to us all. It requires delicate care, a long negotiation, and everyone’s cooperation.”
My stomach grumbled again, and I didn’t bother to feel embarrassed anymore.
I jumped off Héctor’s lap and quickly shrugged on the shirt and jeans with his assistance. I offered him a sweet smile and led him by the hand toward the door.
Axel met us in the middle of the stairs with a scowl for Héctor and took my other hand in his, ignoring Héctor’s irritated look.
At the foot of the stairs, Zak roved an appreciative gaze over me, faint lightning flashing in his blue eyes.
For gods’ sakes, would it always be this intense?
One thing I was sure of: none of the demigods would let me go before they got what they wanted.
CHAPTER 4
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Itrotted into thecafeteria in my new Academy uniform. The monkey suit consisted of one-third gray and two-thirds silver cotton, with the demigods’ crest of an eagle and lightning embroidered on the top left of my chest.
It came with a gray skirt that barely covered my mid-thighs. I was content as long as it covered my ass. Underneath the skirt, black tights wrapped around my legs. Even so, I reminded myself not to bend down—not for my sake, but for Héctor’s.
He wouldn’t take it lightly or kindly if any dude took a peek at my ass.
There were hundreds of students inside the canteen. Some had settled in with their groups at the tables and some still walked through the food counters with their trays, selecting their breakfast dishes.
A few students, whose faces I wasn’t familiar with, spotted me and whispered. Their words spread as if they had wings, and then everyone stopped talking. All eyes trained on me in stunned silence.
I bet everyone had heard about me being beaten to near death in the training room. Well, I still breathed, and I stood here, as good as new. Actually, I looked better, thanks to the healing and energy potion Zak had shoved down my throat, despite its disgusting taste.
“Asclepius, god of medicine, brewed the elixir,” Zak had said when he offered me the vial.
I rolled my eyes, as if that had any meaning to me.