Page 8

Dove

When we got back to the school, Kairos, Enko, and Seven escorted me toward the gym. In my recovery time, we had moved indoors. The chill of the encroaching winter hung outside like smoke.

We passed by the leaderboard, where my Fated males still safely guarded the top. A large board near the entrance of Foxfire Academy listed the students in the order of who had the most demon kills.

“Wow, how’d you do it, Dove?”

someone called, waving. I didn’t recognize them, but respect drenched the faces of my surrounding students. Someone even bowed to me. To me! A few more people complimented me before I understood their meaning, inspecting the leaderboard.

Seven: 1035

Enko: 713

Kairos: 66

During the battle, many of the first years had upped their kill counts, but mine was over double the next best first-year.

Dove: 17

“Her mates must have weakened the demons for her, obviously,”

a scoffing giggle came from the crowd. Mel appeared, wearing a sports bra and a pair of sweats. She liked to show off her perfect, unscarred skin.

We moved past her into the gymnasium, where Mr. Varma’s whistle echoed off the vaulted ceilings and padded walls. Brynn gave a small wave as she approached and nervously tucked herself at my side, side-eyeing my men.

“You’re healed already?”

Her shy smile took over her face. “I’m glad, watching Sana polish weapons has become tedious. Is that all Holy Foxes do?”

“Pretty much. But it’s a big promotion from scrubbing the white floors,”

I told her, which was how I had spent the majority of my life, still a novice when my temple was attacked and burned by demons.

“Listen up! After the recent attacks, the Archfox has suggested I teach you more about battle formations. When in a battle, you are expected to be under the command of those higher ranking than you. When you graduate, you will earn your own rank and be assigned to a unit!”

He spat out orders to adjust us around, the third-years bossed everyone else around into positions, but nobody told me what to do. Even the oldest and most experienced students kept a safe distance from me, only shouting at Brynn to align with their needs. Kairos, Enko, and Seven quickly remedied that, beginning to give me orders like they were my personal drill sergeants instead of my Fated mates.

The pain in my back had reduced significantly, but I still couldn’t jog around like the other students. And for the next two hours, that’s all we did. Rows, columns, lines, sets. Learning the names of battle formations used in our army and positioning ourselves accordingly.

After a shower, Brynn walked with me, and because they clearly sensed her discomfort and my need for friendship, my three Fated mates brought up the rear as we headed toward the dining hall.

My ravenous need for food consumed me and I was thankful as my Fated males used their rank to cut in front of one of the lines and get us food. I carried the plate of spaghetti and meatballs to the closest table and sat. Brynn sat across from me, while Enko and Kairos sat on one side, and Seven on the other.

I spun the noodles into my fork, stabbing a meatball on the end to hold the noodles in place, dragging it through the marinara sauce—

“Dove Hawthorn to the Archfox’s office,”

came the announcement over the intercom.

I looked at my full plate sadly, stuffing a bite into my mouth. To keep up appearances, we had to treat the Archfox with full respect in front of the other students.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “He’s healing my back, that’s all. I’ll see you later.”

Seven, Kairos, and Enko stood, but I shook my head, allowing them to eat and leaving Brynn to fend for herself among them as I left the dining hall.

When I neared the office, my heart sped up until it was hammering. I was excited to see him again.

The secretary glanced up with disapproval. “What trouble have you gotten into now?”

She lifted the phone and blocked the door, whispering into the receiver. She didn’t know the Archfox was my Fated, and she still considered me an enemy after my impudence the prior month. A moment later, she returned to her seat. “He’ll see you now. But you should know that second offenses almost always end in expulsion.”

I opened the door, seeing the Archfox eclipsing the golden rays of the sun behind him. I closed the door behind me. He stood, his face remaining still as his eyes roamed over me.

“What do you need?”

I asked as I nervously approached him.

Rhys cleared his throat, “I just wanted to check your back, make sure the healing is going okay. Since you decided to go against my advice and attend physical training today.”

I shrugged, stepping forward. He approached me, stopping a foot in front of me and stared down at me. My mind and heart were racing, wondering what he would do.

His hands reached forward to my shoulder, gently nudging me to turn around. His hands touched the hems of my shirt as he raised it, lifting it and holding it up. He pulled at the taped bandage, and I flinched.

“Sorry,”

he muttered as he continued pulling ruthlessly.

A rush of cool healing magic tingled against my skin, finding its way into the deep pain and numbing it slightly.

“Are you sure that you’re ready to go back to class, Dove? It’s no trouble if you need me to excuse you for a few more days. I can feel that you’re still in pain.”

I scowled. “Yes. For the millionth time, I’m going.”

Despite the long hours spent together for healing, silence permeated every minute together. Was he not comfortable around me?

Rhys’ thumb trailed over my back, his fingers stretched across my back, even places where there was no injury. “That’s it. I shouldn’t have to remove any more char. But if you have any residual pain, let me know.”

“I will,”

I agreed, remaining there awkwardly clutching my books to my chest. He reached forward, his hand wrapping around the back of my head and pulling me closer to kiss my forehead.

Despite having completed our purpose, we remained in each other’s presence. I wondered if he missed me as much as I missed him. If he knew how spending the nights away from him affected me.

The serious kitsune frowned. “Keep working on shielding your mind, Dove.”

I frowned. “It’s harder with my Fated. I have a direct link to you. It won’t be the same with the Lord of Nightmares.”

Rhys’ lips creased lower. “I ordered some lunch for us. If you’ll join me.”

I nodded as he pushed a button on his desk and the secretary entered, holding two boxes from a local diner and setting them on his desk. I sat across from him when she left, stomach grumbling as I opened it and began to eat.

We ate in silence until a bell rang, signaling that academic classes were about to begin.

“I’ll see you tonight at the Lantern ceremony,”

Rhys said, standing up and guiding me to the door. His arm blocked my exit and he wrapped his arms around me in a hug.