Page 52

Chapter 51

Selestina

T he cool morning air nibbles at my skin as I step out of the dorm, and the academy grounds bathed in the moody tones of dawn. I crunch my feet on the gravel path, and pull my ponytail tighter to the crown of my head. Lately, I’m getting lost in my thoughts too frequently.

When I round the corner near the fountain, I see Matheus.

He's already stretching, a tall frame silhouetted against the soft, golden glow of the rising sun. His flaming red hair, a beacon calling me to him. He looks up as I approach, his amber eyes unreadable, and nods slightly.

I haven't seen him since that night in the library, the night he saw me with Tomas and Rhyker. That moment burns hot in my brain, and I avoid eye contact with him altogether because we both know he was there.

He doesn't look at me again before he starts running.

By the time we finish, my muscles are sore and the sun has risen high enough to cast a warm glow on the grounds. I lean against the wall outside Combat Hall, gulping water greedily down my throat. Matheus stands a few feet ahead, his breathing stable, not a bead of sweat covering his features. Of course, he would look flawless even after running.

“Be more careful,” he says suddenly, his voice low but firm.

I choke on my water. “What?”

He doesn't look at me, his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance. “Be more careful.”

I straighten, narrowing my eyes at him. “Why?”

Matheus shakes his head, his face unreadable. “Just… be careful.” He turns on his heel, muttering the words under his breath as he walks toward the hall.

I glare after him, my annoyance boiling to the surface. “Careful about what?” I shout, but he doesn't answer. He disappears inside, leaving me standing there, water flask clutched tightly in my hand.

Before I can stew over his cryptic warning, two figures I've seen all too much step into my view. Tomas and Rhyker.

“Good morning, princess,” Tomas says, his silver curls bouncing as he strides toward me with that infuriating smirk plastered across his face. His red eyes gleam with mischief, and I immediately feel my cheeks heat.

“Looking flushed already,” Rhyker adds, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. “Couldn't wait for us, huh?”

I roll my eyes, taking a long sip of water to avoid responding. But it's no use, they're relentless.

“What's wrong, Selestina?” Tomas leans against the wall beside me, far too close for comfort. “Cat got your tongue? ”

“Or maybe she's just shy.” Rhyker chimes in, his grin widening. “Though I wouldn't have guessed that, given what we've smelled in the library.”

My face burns, and I choke on the water I'm trying to swallow. I cough, glaring at them. “You're insufferable.”

“Must be our charm,” Rhyker says with a wink. “Irresistible, aren't we?”

I shake my head, trying to fight the blush creeping up my neck. “You're both ridiculous.”

Tomas tilts his head, his sharp features softening just slightly. “Ridiculous, maybe. But you like it.”

I've got no time for a retort before my eye catches a flash of movement. Nazriel stands near the hall's entrance, his icy eyes fixed intently on us. His face is thunderous, his teeth so tightly clenched that I almost expect to hear them crack.

I swallow hard, my gaze darting between Nazriel and the two princes still hovering far too close. There's something in Nazriel's stare that makes my stomach flip, a mixture of anger and lusty thoughts from our encounter a couple of nights ago.

He doesn't say anything, but his stare, plus the two goobers next to me, are making me give my all to hiding any scent of arousal. My vagina, the ever traitor.

Rhyker notices too, his grin sharpening as he throws an arm over my shoulder. “Looks like someone's not happy,” he murmurs low, his voice teasing.

“Let him be jealous,” Tomas says, the corner of his mouth curling up in dismissal. “He doesn't know how to have fun.”

I turn away from Rhyker, shrugging off his arm, my skin prickling with a mix of irritation and… something I don't wa nt to name. “You both suck at even trying to get to know me,” I mutter, moving toward the entrance.

As I pass Nazriel, his gaze flicks to mine, and I swear the temperature drops a few degrees. He doesn't speak, but his eyes say it all: stay away from them.

I don't look back.