Page 110 of Loving the Tormentor

I shake my head.

"Say it again, Nyx." The previous request turns into a stern order. "What are you?"

"Your girlfriend?" I squeeze the words through my tight throat.

"Again." His arrogant demand only makes me want him more.

"Shut up. Iwillrisk my hand again and punch that smirk off your face."

"Ooh," he mocks me. "My girlfriend's in a mood. What is one meant to do?"

"Achilles, shut up," I groan as we start walking again.

"What will I get my girlfriend for Valentine's Day?" He keeps teasing me.

"You won't have one by then if you keep going." But my heart is exploding with confetti in my chest.

"Should we do a couple's costume for Halloween?"

"Shut up," I repeat for the hundredth time.

"Sure thing. I wouldn't want to upset my girlfriend. And you know what they say, happy girlfriend, happy life."

"Happywife,happy life," I correct him.

"Please, Nyx, one thing at a time. You just became my girlfriend."

I slap his arm as we get out of the castle. "God, you're unbearable."

"And yet you still want me as your boyfriend."

It's still raining, and the cold air hits me right in the face. It's a painful reminder that there's a real world outside of our bubble, and that I should cherish moments like this. Becausewhen Achilles finds out the truth, he'll never look at me the same way.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Nyx

Fault in the stars – Powfu, The Chainsmokers

"Miss Mayer." I startle when my name is called on stage.

It's terrifying when Miss Rivera calls us because we never know if we're about to get congratulated or get the telling-off of our life.

"Yes?" I ask from my seat.

She points at the first chair. It's empty since she's been moving people around all morning. She's only supposed to do so at the beginning of the semester, but she's been losing her mind over the way we sound.

"I'm sorry?" I ask.

"Don't make me repeat myself."

Technically, she didn't say anything.

I stand up in a hurry under the whispers of the other violinists.

"Maybe I'd be first chair if I let Achilles Duval fuck me." Some girl named Sarah snorts as I walk past.

"I'd have to want to fuck you for that to happen," Achilles throws back casually from the side of the stage, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment as others laugh at Sarah.