Page 34 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Sienna

J ayce Westwood is kissing me. Gods, he’s kissing me!

My entire body is tingling in a way that makes my head feel fuzzy, and I can’t focus on anything other than how incredible his lips feel against mine.

They’re soft, yet they move with confidence.

His hand cups the side of my face, his thumb brushing my jaw as he deepens the kiss.

My fingers curl around his shirt as I hold on tight.

This is a dream, it can’t be true.

His scent makes me giddy, woody, with a hint of leather and spice, mixed with the smell of the fresh rain. It’s pure bliss. I could kiss him forever.

Gods, the way he tastes… A soft whimper escapes me, my legs feeling like jelly, my heart pounding, so aware of his hand firmly gripping my waist.

I gasp for air, and he tenses before he suddenly pulls back, turning his head away. His nose brushes my neck, making my breath hitch.

“Fuck…” he breathes. His heart is pounding against his ribcage, and I release his shirt, placing my hand over it, feeling the ridges of his firm chest against my hand. My heart thumps as his wet locks brush against my lips.

“Jayce?” I ask softly, a sliver of fear washing over me. Is he regretting kissing me?

My heart sinks when he releases me, staggering backwards. My heart clenches at the emotions in his eyes. One clearer than others. Guilt.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” he says quietly, licking his lips.

“Why?” I ask, trying to remain calm despite the hurt that’s already suffocating me.

“I mean, I shouldn’t have. I’m your division leader; I’m supposed to be helping you, not… fuck.” He clenches his jaw, that cold, angry expression I’ve seen on his face countless times before returning. “I’m-”

“You’re what? Sorry? So that’s it? I’m suddenly a mistake?

You’re just going to leave it at that?” I ask, trying to subdue the havoc that’s beginning to rise inside of me.

One that wants me to let it free. “Why?! Was I not a good enough kisser for you? I’m sorry that I don’t have as much experience as you in that department. ”

“What is that supposed to mean?” He frowns, and I want to step back, but I stand my ground.

“You know what it means,” I answer quietly. “Allison is not subtle about you two.”

His eyes flicker with surprise before his brows furrow, irritation replacing the surprise, and then he’s closing the distance he just put between us, taking hold of my chin as he glares down into my eyes with his piercing green ones.

“Then maybe you should ask Allison how good of a kisser I am because I can assure you, she won’t have the answer. ”

I frown, confusion rushing through me. “Then why?” I ask softly, my resolve crumbling, no longer able to play strong. And when I speak again, my voice is barely audible. “Why play me?”

His eyes soften, and he touches his forehead to mine. “I didn’t mean to, what I said – every word of it is the truth… but Ahren, my father, our families. It’s not easy.”

“Why does that matter?”

“This could impact our relationship.”

“So that all means more to you. Don’t my feelings count?” I ask softly, hating that I’m showing him how pathetic I am.

“Hey… they do. They fucking do. Look at me.” I obey reluctantly, realising my power is surging around me as he cups my face, caressing my cheeks. “We’ll figure it out. I promise.”

He pulls me into his chest, one arm wrapping around me, the other cupping the back of my head, and I let the tears fall, glad it’s raining so he won’t realise as I slowly wrap my arms around his waist.

Why can’t I want something…? Is everything I want, something I can’t have? He presses his lips against the top of my head, and I hear him inhale deeply.

No, he wants me, he’s just…

“We don’t need to tell anyone until you figure things out, if you like?” I suggest, slowly pulling away, unable to look into his eyes, knowing how pitiful I sound.

“Hey, look at me.” I don’t obey, and he sighs. “It’s not fair to ask that of you.”

“But I don’t like your option, to pretend this never happened,” I point out, frowning at his boots.

He reaches over, placing two fingers under my chin, and forces me to look up at him.

“I just need a little time. Let’s figure this out between us first.”

Maybe he’s waiting for his mate…

“Yeah,” I agree quietly. It’s true we don’t know if this will last; we aren’t even a couple, and if we do become one, who knows if it’ll last, right?

Looking at him, it hurts to think like that, but I push it away. For me, that feels like a problem for another day. “Night,” I say, turning away.

“Sienna.” I stop but don’t turn back.

“Yeah?”

“What’s your favourite flavour?”

I blink, turn, and look at him. “My favourite?” I ask, my gaze dipping to his lips.

Can I say the way you taste?

“Yeah, I owe you an apology, so I was thinking I could take you out, make up for it?” His voice is low and softer, almost blending with the pouring rain.

“Oh, I do love food.” My eyes light up slightly as I look at him, blushing lightly. Is he asking me out on a date? His words rekindle the hope that had almost completely disappeared. “Umm, I like cherries a lot, and chocolate, and sweet things.”

“Good to know. How about tomorrow night after my game?” he asks, hands now in his pockets.

“Your game- ah right, football!”

He nods. “Yeah, so, are we on?” he asks quietly.

My heart skips a beat. This is a good sign. “Yeah, I’d love that. So, it’s a date?” I grimace. Shit, that was too much, wasn’t it? “Uh, I mean… it’s not-”

He takes hold of my chin once again, and I wonder if he likes doing that, forcing me to look up at him. “It’s a date,” he repeats, making my stomach flutter nervously, unable to look away from that gorgeous face.

Gods, he’s perfect.

He swallows and looks away, letting go of me. “I’ll walk you to the dorm. I have something to do.”

“Thanks.” Our eyes meet, and he gives me the faintest hint of a smile, so subtle I almost feel like I imagined it.

After I came back, I had a long soak in the bath, and now I’m sitting on my bed going through the photos Jayce had sent me. I’ve printed them out, but I’m not getting far no matter what I research.

Shahira is doing some yoga. She’s gorgeous, although she wears slightly looser clothes in public, she has a sexy figure, too. She smiles over at me, her long, dark pink hair is pulled up in a ponytail. “You look happy,” she remarks.

I blush. “I guess I am. So how are you finding the division?” I ask.

“It’s great. I don’t really mix with everyone, but most of the boys are nice.”

She doesn’t mix with Allison and Himari, no surprises there. “Yeah. I totally understand that. So, do you have any siblings?”

“I have two brothers,” she replies. “They’re a lot older than me.”

“I’m sure they’re super protective of you.”

She nods. “Yeah, they are.” She pulls a face, and I giggle.

“I know how that can be. My brother and cousin are exactly the same.”

She chuckles and tilts her head. “Your brother is pretty young still, but he’s already Alpha. It must be hard for him.”

I smile sadly as Dad comes to my mind. “Even if it was, he wouldn’t let it show.”

“I’m sorry. Your father was a hero. I’ve heard many stories about him and your grandfather.”

“Thanks,” I respond. I look down at the pages, realising just how much happier I feel when I’m with Jayce. It’s… terrifying.

What if he leaves me, too? The thought makes my blood run cold, and I try to focus on the words on the page. I am not going to be doubtful. I have to trust him.

Focus on the kiss, the hug, the touch, the date!

I smile softly. I have to trust him. I peer down at the papers.

If I just had one word translated from this, I could possibly crack the rest. I work on it for a bit longer before deciding to stop for now.

I need to look into some more texts. I’ll email Mama and see if she can send me some transcripts of different recorded languages that we have.

After sending my email, I get ready for bed, remembering the man from my dreams. My mind flits to what he had been about to say.

Having an idea, I get out of bed quickly, my heart racing at the prospect that this could work. I rummage in the storage box at the end of the bed and take out my herbs. Hoping I have what I need to go through with my idea.

“Shahira?” I call after triple-checking and realising there are two herbs I’m missing. She’s already folding away her yoga mat, readying to sleep.

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any herbs on you at the moment?”

“Sure, what are you after?”

“Starwort and ghost mint.”

She frowns slightly. “What do you need ghost mint for?”

“Just a little spell.”

She doesn’t question it further. “I am not sure if I have ghost mint. I do have starwort, but my grandmother sends me exotic herbs quite often. I’ll check if there’s any.”

I really hope she has it. I wait patiently as she opens a chest that would make even Heaven jealous.

It has lots of trays that stack on top of one another, and she begins reading the names on the perfect little bottles.

There’s a wooden tray with little spoons that fit nicely in the niches made in the wood.

Yup, Heaven would be so jelly.

“They’re mostly healing herbs… here’s starwort.” She holds out one of her pretty bottles, and I quickly get up and take it from her.

“Thank you. I only need a pinch.”

“You can use as much as you need. No one in the Academy ever needs anything to help them sleep, anyway.”

I nod as she begins looking at the names on much smaller bottles. I wait, trying not to show how desperate I am right now. If I have that, I could maybe do more than just visit that dream… I could navigate it.

“Moonshade, nightbloom, ashen fern, lanternleaf… ah! Here it is, ghost mint!”

“Oh, you are amazing, Shahira! Thank you!” I say, scooping the tiny bottle from her hand and smiling brightly at her. “I owe you.”

She smiles. “You’re welcome, but what are you trying to do?”

I hesitate, but I owe her that much. “I’m going to cast a dream-walking spell, one that prophetesses used. I have had visions through my dreams before, and there’s something I’ve been seeing that I want to make sense of.”

“I’ve heard of it, but never done it. Like you said, it only works if you have visions. Do you need my help?” she asks.

I glance at the herbs. It’ll be easier to do if the two of us set it up.

“Yes, please, are you sure you’re ok with that? You normally go to bed.”

“It’s alright, this sounds like much more fun.”

“Awesome, thank you.”

We get to work as I pass her the grimoire so she can read through the spell as we both start setting up the crystals surrounding the potion bottle.

We mix the herbs together and add a bit of the salt water from my own supplies.

I whisper the spell, working on the potion as she sets protection wards around my bed, something I didn’t think of, but is a wise move.

If, for some reason, the spell goes awry, they will help balance me and wake me.

Once I finish making the potion, I look over the symbols she’s drawn and smile.

“You’re really good, and I mean really good,” I compliment, impressed at how quickly and sufficiently she drew them.

“Thanks. Back in my coven, I’m slated to become a High Witch of the Persian Coven when the time’s right,” she admits shyly.

I stare at her. “What? Really? That’s impressive,” I reply in awe. This is the Academy for the elite, but still! “Who knew we had such talent right here?”

“I’m good at masking my aura. We do it daily, so if in enemy territory or if an enemy is close, they can’t sense us.”

“That’s something we are meant to do, but I know many of us get careless within these four walls. You’re incredible.”

She blushes. “Thanks. Are you all good to go? Do you need help with anything else?”

I shake my head, although I wonder if she would know anything about the text from Jayce’s images. She’s Iranian, meaning her roots are not far from Egypt, and the languages were once similar.

“Thank you. I should be ok. Just… don’t let anyone wake me.”

She nods, now serious. The risk of things going wrong if I am pulled from my sleep could be a little bothersome. She wishes me luck and gets into her own bed behind the partition. I can see her through the gaps in it as she settles in and turns off her lamp.

I take off my gown and sit on the bed, picking up my phone. I blush as I open the chat with Jayce, my heart skipping a beat.

He kissed me.

He hugged me.

He asked me out on a date!

I almost giggle in excitement before I calm myself down and decide to send him a text before I sleep.

SIENNA: Goodnight ?

I pout, hmm, he wants to keep things on the down low, but maybe I should have told him Uncle Leo’s warning... oh well, it’s fine.

What he doesn’t know won’t hurt.

Placing my phone down, I take a deep breath and whisper the spell before I down the potion in one go. I place the empty bottle down and lie back, taking a steady breath and closing my eyes, ready to let sleep take me into its hold.