Page 3 of Monster’s Consort (Blackthorn Academy for Supernaturals #18)

Violet

“Well, well, if it isn’t Blackthorn’s favorite little bitch,” Delaney drawled, immediately covering her mouth, but her tone was more than humorous.

“Oops, I meant witch. ”

Wanda carefully settled a hand on her hip, glaring at Delaney in disdain.

“Yes, well, one of us has to be good at what we do. Not all of us can skate by on being a kiss-ass, now can we, Delaney?” Wanda cooed apathetically. I knew if I didn’t step forward, they’d start a magic duel before the clock even chimed four pm.

Perhaps this was a bad idea, after all.

If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought they were flirting with one another, but I knew Delaney had no desire for women the way Wanda did.

Though to be fair, it was hard not to notice the leggy siren’s ethereal beauty.

She was stunning. Short teal colored hair that was the perfect shade of her eyes, shimmering bronze skin that practically glistened in the sunlight pouring down on her, lighting her up like some kind of angelic creature.

“Wanda, I’m so glad you could make it,” I said, trying to be hospitable. In the months since my initial interrupted Ardaim, I’d found Wanda to be less... prickly, I suppose.

I liked her. As long as I pushed aside the part of me that longed to compare myself to her, as long as I pushed away the knowledge that she knew my gancanagh intimately, I was fine.

But sometimes, just like at that moment, those festering, awful thoughts would hit me.

A few guards walked by, stealing glances at her, and all those insecurities game gushing back.

Perhaps this was the reason I hadn’t told Bane of her arrival. Perhaps there were some things I needed to let go before I could fully ascend and become bound.

Things a man or an incubus would never understand.

I didn’t hate Wanda. Far from it. I genuinely wanted to consider us friends, though I was still on the fence if she considered me one. She’d helped me when it mattered most, yes, because she, too, had been touched by my magic.

But she and Norman were attached at the fishy hip, and I never quite could shake the feeling perhaps if they hadn’t been together at that point, she would have let me flounder.

“Yes, well, when the alternative is spending three long months at home back in Wales, a prison cell would have sufficed.”

Delaney rolled her eyes. “Just say thanks for having me like a normal person, Wanda.”

Wanda shrugged, her shoulder movements so graceful it should have been a crime.

“Speaking of prisoners, where’s Aquaman?” Delaney asked, her gaze full of mischief. She crossed her arms, flipping her red hair over her shoulder.

She was in quite a rare form.

“I beg your pardon?” Wanda asked as I corralled us toward the awning of the courtyard. I could feel it in my bones that rain was coming, and I did not want to become drenched.

The storms here in Lir were quite different from those back at Blackthorn.

They lasted for hours and they were damn near torrential. They were a sight to see and something to experience, but only if you were dry.

Though on second thought, perhaps I should leave the siren to the rain. Perhaps it would lighten her mood.

“I think what Delaney means to say,” I said, smacking Delaney in the arm and shooting her a glance. “Is that we rather thought you and Norman would arrive together.”

Something passed behind Wanda’s eyes at the mention of her partner in crime.

But before I could speak of it, her expression shifted to the one I’d known since I started Blackthorn.

Ice.

“Yes, well, I can exist apart from Norman. We do have our own lives, you know. We are not barnacles.”

The way she said the words was harsh, and Delaney snorted.

“So the rumors are true, then?”

“What rumors?” I asked as I tried to keep up with my two friends. They seemed to be walking at a much more brisk pace than I was; then again they didn’t have dried Incubus cum between their thighs causing the most uncomfortable sensation when I walked.

Note to self: no hasty hookups. Must shower between feedings.

Wanda scoffed. “Gossip is so fucking juvenile, Delaney. Truly, I thought you better than that.”

Delaney cast me a smirk. “The scuttlebutt throughout the training dungeon is that Wanda here sent her little Octo-Prince Charming packing for the Atlantic.”

“What?” I asked, turning to face Delaney once we were indeed, beneath the awning. I glanced back at Wanda, a strange sort of fear percolating in my loins, my chest, my heart.

“You broke up with Norman?” I asked, my voice strangely tense.

Wanda picked at her nails, twisting her lips. Her soft, shiny teal hair fell over her shoulders as she apathetically said, “It’s complicated.”

Delaney laughed. “Complicated is a song by Avril Lavigne. Not a relationship status.”

Wanda shrugged. “Says the witch who’s never been in a relationship with someone other than the imaginary men—” Wanda flashed her a glare. “—and the women she reads about in her silly little romance novels.”

“Romance novels are not silly!” Delaney bit out. “They are romantic! Swoony! They make you feel good.”

“Delaney—”

Delaney stepped closer to Wanda, ignoring me.

Actually, both women seemed to be ignoring me. I watched as Delaney stepped up against Wanda, watched as Wanda cooly gazed at her, since they were of near equal height. I felt small and it wasn’t just because of my height.

Wanda was... single?

And would be on the premises near my gancanagh ?

You know Bane would never...

I tried to quiet my insecurity, truly I did.

But the thing about fear was that it festered. It didn’t always rear its ugly head until you were in the thick of it.

“Romance is nothing but a chemical in your brain, Delaney,” Wanda snapped.

“Wanda...” I called out her name, but they were far too emblazoned with one another’s antagonism to acknowledge me.

The Princess of Lir.

“Happily Ever After does not exist!” Wanda said, her voice shaking.

“Stop!” I yelled, my voice echoing off the cavernous space as magic pooled at my fingertips. Red hot flames.

A gift from my gancanagh since he saved my life. Since they all saved my life.

Wanda and Delaney ceased, standing abreast of one another. I didn’t miss the animosity in Delaney’s gaze, nor did I miss the sadness in Wanda’s. It was existent for only a second before they turned to face me.

“That will be enough,” I said solidly. “We are here to have fun, remember? Hot Royal Summer and all? ”

Delaney twisted her lips and nodded. “Sorry, I just?—”

Delaney backed away from Wanda, catching her gaze for only a moment. It was then I noted her cheeks were flushed and her eyes watery, as if she truly were upset.

But why would Delaney be upset about Wanda and Norman breaking up?

As much of a gossip hound as she was, there was no reason to be that invested.

Wanda stood, cool and emotionless as ever. Not a watery eye, not a loosened shoulder. Nothing.

“Got carried away, I guess,” Delaney said. “Sorry, Wanda. It’s none of my business.”

Wanda glared at me, raising one eyebrow. “Has he arrived?”

The rain pattered on the awning, signaling its arrival.

“I can’t be certain, I have not seen him yet. Though, I was told he would be arriving today?—”

“Are we going to stand here all afternoon or do you have a bedroom to show me to, Princess?” Wanda coolly asked, and just like that, all talk of Norman Chee and chemicals of romance disappeared.

“Of course,” I said, forcing a grin.

Delaney hugged herself tightly looking away, out at the pouring rain.

How odd.

“Follow me,” I said, noting that Delaney did not follow.

I stopped, turning to see her still staring at the dank, dreary courtyard.

“Aren’t you coming?” I asked.

Wanda settled beside me and instantly, I could feel the lust rippling off of her.

I bit my lip, trying to push it away. I knew, like Bane, her attraction charms were just a part of who she was. She couldn’t help what she exuded, much in the way he couldn’t.

But still, she smelled so good, and it was a most inviting charm. It made me think of Bane, and his dried seed between my legs.

I tensed.

“No,” Delaney said softly. “I think I wish to watch the rain a bit longer.”

Something told me to press her, but Wanda spoke instead.

“Leave her be. I’m sure she’s fine.”

It was the strangest sound, the strangest admission given moments ago they were so close to tearing one another’s throats out.

“Okay,” I said as I led the sweet-smelling siren down the hall and to her quarters.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” she said once we arrived at her door.

“There is nothing to be sorry about,” I told her. I looked up at her bright teal eyes, remembering the siren who helped rescue me. Something in her gaze akin to confusion or discomfort called to me.

“Delaney is right, it is none of our business,” I said as I opened the door. “But... should you need someone to, er, talk to...” I cleared my throat, holding her gaze. “I believe that is what friends do. They talk. To one another. About... things.”

Wanda cracked a half smile. “Yes, that is what I hear, but—” She looked into the room, her natural cool air returning once more. “Some things are better kept to oneself, are they not?” she said, and with that, she entered her room and shut the door.

Well, I supposed I’d tried. I put the offer out there; it was up to her whether or not she would take it.

Upon leaving her quarters, I went in search of Delaney, but I did not find her, no.

Instead, my mother, the queen, found me and usurped me into her warm arms, guiding me further away from Bane and my friends.

“Do you have a moment, my dear?” she asked, and I was remiss to tell her no.

“Of course,” I said.

“Good, there are some things I would like to show you and then we can finalize the dinner plans for your welcome banquet.”

“My what?” I asked, stopping dead in my tracks.

She slid her hands in her pockets. One thing I did love about my mother—my real mother—was her aversion to dresses.

I did love a good skirt or dress, especially during the summer, but there was something inherently refreshing about a queen who wore fitted pants and blazers instead of long flowy gowns.

It made her look much more powerful in my opinion.

“Your friends are guests in our castle, are they not?” she asked with a smile.

“Uh, yes, but?—”

“No buts. They are guests and it is customary when we receive guests as royals, that we throw a dinner in their honor. It is only polite.”

“Well, I supposed I wouldn’t want to be rude,” I said, feeling on the spot.

“Perfect. Then we will meet with Sven and then finalize plans for tonight’s banquet.” She smiled, and it was genuine.

“It’s been so long since I’ve had a castle full of life, Violet. If I have not made myself clear, this is your home, and your friends are always welcome here. Whatever they need, please do not hesitate to let me know.”

“Of course,” I said, unsure of what else to say.

She hooked her arm in mine, squeezing tight. “Now come, we have much to discuss.”