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“Hm.” Gods, how does even that sound hot? This is getting bad. “The Runic Network works by replicating mortal social media without interacting with it. You can see all the mortal posts, but they can’t see you. It took me almost a year to create. Most deemed it unnecessary, yet it has been integral to immortal advancement.”

I bite my lip, trying to hold back my moan.

The stranger clears his throat again. “Little fae? Are you all right?”

“Absolutely.” My voice sounds foreign, even to my own ears. I swallow. “We should talk about something else.” My core pulses once and my breath hitches.

“Little fae?”

I clear my throat. “You know, I actually need to go.”

“Oh?”

“I… Um… Yeah, I have to go. Got to keep within those boundaries and…” Stop fucking talking, Summer.

“Right. I’ll speak to you later, then.” The stranger saves me by interrupting me.

“Stranger?” I say, unsure.

“Hm?”

“Thank you for… still being you.”

I hear him shift again, and that smile is back in his voice. “Well, who else could I be with you?”

“Like I said, the ring is changing people. I’m glad it’s not changing you.”

“Goodnight, little fae.”

“Goodnight, my stranger.” I end the call and close my eyes, cursing the words, the questions, the feeling in my core. There is some other explanation for this. It’s probably due to my vulnerability and inability to let myself be happy. Am I self-sabotaging?

I take a breath, looking up at the ceiling, promising myself I will do better. One way or another, I will deserve Connor. I pray to the gods that I may be worthy and that I will settle into my peace.

109

Summer

Iget dressed to work out, but I’m not feeling up to dealing with Moody Max today. What I really want to do is go for a run and clear my head. I want to be outside. The sun is rising, and people are already out and about. Surely, I’ll be safe if I stick to the populated areas.

I kiss Connor’s head before pulling on my running sweater and leaving the dorm. Outside, I press play on my running playlist and start down the path at a leisurely pace. I’m soon lost to the beat, matching my strides to the music. My breath mists in front of me, the cool air stifling my lungs and burning in the best way.

The headmaster approaches me on the path, stopping a few feet away. I stop and pull my earphones out.

“Miss Tuatha De Daanan.”

“Oh, good morning, sir.”

“Taking a break from the gym?” he asks, his hair darker with sweat and his eyes molten in the early morning sun.

My cheeks heat, and I feel like I’ve been caught misbehaving. “Well… I… Yes.”

“Is something the matter?” he asks, his brows furrowing. I take care not to notice his workout clothes and how they cling to him.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re blushing,” he says matter-of-factly, but I want to die.

My hands fly to my face, and my cold fingers tingle painfully as they meet my warm cheeks. “Oh?—”