Page 15

Dove

After classes for the day, Seven drove us in his Land Rover up a forested dirt road, making twists and turns through the trees until Foxfire Academy disappeared.

“Isn’t it on campus?”

I asked after a long time driving.

“Yes,”

Kairos answered.

Nothing could have prepared me for it, a mansion in the middle of the forest, complete with a gated entrance. It had tall Georgian columns rising to the third floor around the door frame.

Rhys waited at the front door with his arms crossed in annoyance.

Seven popped the gear into park as we stopped in front of the building. We all hopped out of the car and Seven opened the trunk so we could grab our bags. I only had one single bag, and Kairos and Enko fought over who carried it for me, leaving me empty handed and Enko overloaded.

Rhys opened the door as I approached and he nodded at me. His eyes traced the treeline as he gestured for me to enter. Immediately, Rhys’ amber scent came to me, lingering all over the house.

I’m not sure what I expected, but the gigantic outside of the mansion barely did the inside justice. A crystal chandelier that had to have been almost seven feet tall hung in the front entryway—Enko-sized—and the stairs rose up to the second floor where a massive painting of Rhys hung.

“Little self-centered, isn’t it, brother?”

Seven commented as he nodded to the picture.

Rhys cleared his throat uncomfortably. “The Council of Elders has them commissioned for every Archfox. The previous commissions consume most of the wallspace instead of my own decorations. It’s not my personal house, mind you. It is the residence for the Archfox while on campus.”

“Surely you’re not required to keep it hung up though,”

Kairos observed. “But I’m sure someone who views himself as the most powerful Life kitsune alive likes to be reminded of his importance every single day.”

“Goddess, it’s creepy enough having you watch us all the time, and now you are going to have the picture watching us too?”

Enko remarked.

“They’ve definitely captured your handsome features, Rhys,”

I added quietly as I found myself captivated by his striking green eyes. “But I prefer you in person, that way I get to enjoy the smell as well.”

A very, very light blush rose on his cheeks and he nodded slightly. “Thank you, Dove.”

He looked so embarrassed, my own cheeks heated.

“Well, at least we’ll get our own rooms here,”

Kairos mentioned as he began to prowl around the first floor, peering into a sitting area surrounded on three walls by books and a fireplace. A lavish dining area to the side, where I could see a second smaller dining room through a hallway and an archway leading into a kitchen. Behind the stairs, I caught sight of a huge corridor between the foyer and a living room.

Rhys exhaled, “Right, I forgot you’re accustomed to much wealthier accommodations, Kairos Stryker. How is your father doing, by the way? Keeping out of trouble, I hope? Could he not afford to add a new section onto the academy for you?”

It was the first time I’d heard the Archfox use someone’s last name and I shifted uncomfortably, realizing how new it was to have Rhys around. It had taken nearly a month to get to know Enko, Kairos, and Seven.

Seven cleared the air, wrapping his arm around my front and tucking me against his chest as his head rested on top of my head. “Dove and I will retreat into the Shadow Vale if you two can’t get along.”

Enko snorted with laughter. “Don’t pretend it’s us making you want to go there, Seven. And Dove can’t even breathe in the Shadow Vale. You’ll kill her.”

“He can bring me to the edge. Being with him makes it easier to breathe than with a demon dragging me,”

I said mindlessly and all the men froze.

Rhys cleared his throat, “Right, how about that tour?”

He began to walk up the steps that were almost as wide as our entire dormitory had been as he continued to speak, “Most of the rooms are guest rooms, so feel free to pick whichever.”

“Where’s your room?”

I asked as we followed him up the stairs and down another gigantic corridor above the one on the first floor.

“Above the kitchen, near the other staircase,”

Rhys commented as we walked toward it.

We peered into the gigantic corner bedroom. Windows covered two walls and a large bathtub, bigger than a hot tub, was visible. The room was void of any personal belongings as far as I could see. The bed was perfectly made, and larger than a California king size.

“The master bedroom should be Dove’s room, don’t you think?”

Kairos mentioned.

Rhys narrowed his eyes. “I’m allowing you to live here, Kairos. But remember that your presence here remains only on my authorization. The second you prove too annoying, I’ll throw you out.”

Kairos’ eyes rolled. “Of course, your Holy Majesticness.”

He gave a very low and sarcastic bow, his hand outstretched and making small rotations in the air. A noise came from the back of Rhys’ throat as he swiveled around and continued the tour.

A room filled with black décor caught my attention across from Rhys’ room. Its bookshelves were mostly empty, and a dark wood desk was placed in the corner. The curtains were black lace, topped with black velvet adornments, leading out to a balcony.

Seven and I glanced at each other and made a run for it to claim the bedroom.

Him, with his super-speed, got there before me. “Ha!”

I sulked, shoulders slumping.

“Don’t pout, Fated,”

he said as he crashed onto the bed. “You can have that pink room we passed by.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but the Archfox beat me to it. “Seven.”

Just the mention of his name caused my dark mate to roll his eyes. “Fine. All yours, Fated.”

I grinned and rushed over to the bed, diving onto the sea of black as though it were as deep as an ocean. When I landed, the softness enveloped me.

Seven grumpily got up from the bed. He looked as though he was stomping, but his footfalls were muted as he halfheartedly picked the bedroom next door furnished in dark brown.