Page 17 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)
Aly
The sunlight streamin g through my dorm window felt brighter than usual, but maybe that was just my mood. I was practically buzzing as I rummaged through my wardrobe, tossing rejected outfits onto my bed. “Too casual. Too formal. Too much like I’m trying to look like I didn’t try.” I muttered to myself, holding up a light blue dress before finally settling on a soft, flowy outfit that seemed just right.
Saul and I had n’ t had much time together lately. Between his packed schedule of classes, helping students perfect water channeling techniques and my own workload, it was hard to find a time that worked for us. We would have to talk about that, because being away from him outside of classes like this physically hurt. Vivianne said because the equinox is coming up that the bond is pushing me harder to complete it. But if I'm honest I've been trying to wait to complete bonds until I found all of my mates.
Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I use a small towel to wipe at the corner of my eye where some mascara smudged. Today, Saul promised to clear his schedule, and I was not about to let anything ruin it.
I glanced in the mirror, smoothing my hair and taking a deep breath. “ Yo u’ ve got this,” I told my reflection.Excitement fluttered in my chest, and I grabbed my bag, practically skipping down the halls toward his class. He told me he would meet me at my room, but that was going to take longer since his last meeting for today should be ending right now, so figured I would meet him there.
Walking into Saul's classroom I head to his desk and take a seat on top. He wasn’t here yet so might as well practice my water a little. I take my hand and allow my magic to flow, I make a stream of water arch out of the pool and try to twist it into shapes. First a question mark, a circle, a heart. I’m in the process of trying to form a star when his door opens and a women steps through.
I look over my shoulder and give her a smile. “Saul will be here in a second he had a meeting.” I turn my focus back to the pool and keep alternating through. My shapes. A scoff comes from behind me, and I glance back again. Raising an eyebrow. I shut off the flow of magic and spin on his desk to face the door
“Can I help You?” I ask. She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. She must be a professor, she’s too old to be a student. Okay she’s not that old but look I don't like the way she’s looking at me.
“You need to remove Yourself from Professor Jacobs desk. He will not be happy to have someone using it as a chair. You need remember Your manners, he is a professor and not Saul , to You.” She sneers at me. I open my magic and allow her thoughts to slip through. Slut. Ohhh, I get it now.
A sickly-sweet smile spreads on my face. “Well professor Jacobs will be back soon. He had a meeting. As for me moving from his desk. I think I'll stay right here thank You though for Your concern.”
“Remove Yourself from his desk or I will drag You to the dean.” She threatens and look I'm not usually so mean, but this bitch is in my mate’s room alone and trying to tell me what to do. So, fuck her.
“That wouldn’t be productive. But You’re more than welcome to try and drag me somewhere. Professor... I'm sorry I don't know who You are.” I say cocking my head to the side. Her face flames in anger as she steps closer.
“Look You little slut, Professor Jacobs doesn’t sleep with students so they can raise their grades. He likes women with class. Not children.” She looks pointedly at my short skirt that I was hoping was going to make this trip to his classroom significantly more fun. But hey I'll settle for the look on her face whenever she realizes she’s an idiot.
“What a shame.” I quip raising and dropping one shoulder. Right then I see Saul open the door quietly and slip in his eyes going wide when he sees me and the professor. “Although calling me a slut was completely unnecessary.” I say sweetly.
“If the shoe fits. You come into a professor’s classroom alone and sit on his desk like You have any right to be here in a skirt like that. If You think he would ever fuck You. You’re Wrong. I'll be discussing this with the dean. This is grounds for expulsion.”
“Well, you’re more than welcome to talk to Barrett about her sitting on my desk however he’s not going to do a damn thing other than laugh in Your face and probably fire You for calling our mate a slut.” Saul’s voice is icy and lethal.
She spins eyes going wide. “Saul this student- “
“Is my mate. And welcome to sit on any surface in any length of skirt she wants.” His eyes rake hungrily down my body. “You’ll do well to remember You are on Your last warning for harassing me, Victoria.”
She moves for the door her eyes glancing at me full of anger. “Oh, and Professor. When You talk to Barrett tell him I miss him, and I'll be stopping by sometime this week.”
Fucking bitch she spits. And yeah, maybe I am but guess what. I don't care. God this power is so helpful.
Is there a reason Your messing with her? Saul says in his mind. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my smile at bay until she leaves the rooms slamming the door behind her. When she’s gone, I slide my eyes to him.
He’s leaning against the wall his arms crossed, and an eyebrow raised. His blonde hair is messy and looks like he’s been running his hands through it all day.
Are You planning on answering me little one? His voice taking on a slow drawl. I would like to point out that until this point, I’ve done a great job at pretending I can’t hear him. But alas, all good things must come to an end.
Probably not. A slow smirk falls on my face.
Is this a bad idea? Probably he’s already told me he’s planning on spanking me. Teasing him is probably not on my list of smartest life choices.
He nods, as he slowly makes his way to me. He steps between my legs planting his hands on my hips pulling me closer to him. His lips are so close. Tell me little one, do You enjoying being a brat? He growls. Shit,
One of his hands leaves my waist to trail a finger slowly down my neck. Before he grabs my throat and squeezes slightly. His eyes never leaving mine. “Brat.”
“I’ m sorry, Professor. What are You going to do to me? Are You going to spank me?” Please oh please tell me h e’ s planning to spank me .
squirming as Saul presses his palm to my lower back, holding me still. “ You want that, do n’ t You?” He squeezes my throat again more softly.
“ Mmmhmm.” I wiggle under his hold. My body throbs for his attention. I feel as if I'll explode if I do n’ t get what I need.
“ Too bad. Only good girls get what they want. Now hold still. Be quiet. If You make any noise, I'll stop. Yo u’ ll have to wait until we get home.” His breathy voice tickles my ear as he rests on top of me, pressing me into the desk.
He drops to his knees the image short circuit’s what’s left of my brain which admittedly is not much. Considering we are in the middle of his classroom, and I’m spread out on his desk. Fuck.
Hiking my skirt as he pulls me to the edge of the desk, I lean back on my palms, letting him spread my legs wider to rest on his shoulders.
My mind short circuits with his slow, sensual touch as he spreads me open with two fingers and kisses my clit, he knows i t’ s what I need from him at this moment. I gasp and bite the inside of my lip, closing my eyes as the pressure of his mouth builds, his tongue tracing my body as if he can kiss the ache away. As if he can kiss away my need. “ Saul” I cry out.
Saul groans between my legs, shooting pleasure to my core. I swallow my words, my breath panting. I feel as if I'll shatter without him. My desire steals away my sense of reason. It denies me the ability to be patient. He steps back keeping eye contact as my breath comes out labored. Slowly he loops his thumbs in his waistband and pulls his pants off allowing himself to fall free. Holy shit no way. Absolutely no way that thing is going anywhere near me. His erection was hard and throbbing. Seeing my face, he chuckles darkly.” Don't worry little one it will fit.”
Any thoughts of self-preservation go out the window. Reaching out, he cupped my cheek and stroked it with his thumb. “I’ ve loved You since the day I met You.” Surprise riddled through me, and Saul swallowed my gasps as he descended on me in kisses that made my head spin. My arms wound around his neck, and his hands lifted me by my hips as I hooked my legs around his waist. His eyes searched mine for permission, and I nodded.
My back arched as he thrust into me in one swift buck of his hips. “ Ah,” I moaned, and his forehead rested against mine. “ Are You okay?” Concern was thick in his voice but so was the desire. Saul filled me completely, and the back of my right shoulder started to tingle as I adjusted to him.
“I’ m better than okay.” His fingers bit into my hips as he held me up, and he pulled himself almost all the way out before sliding back in. He kept the slow pace, and a burning sensation started to rise within me, and I whimpered.
“ Do You want me to go harder?” I gripped his shoulders and pulled myself up to give him a better angle and nodded.
“ Please.” He obliged me, and his thrusts became harder. Heat spread over my skin as the burn inside me built up. Magic and pleasure vibrated through my bones, and I cried out as I feel the bond solidify. He sucked in a sharp breath before a low moan left his lips. “Little one, Yo u’ re everything to me.”
***
Sau l’ s home was tucked away in the eastern section of campus, nestled near the cascading pools used for advanced water magic practice. It was a cozy, one-story house with large windows and ivy creeping up the stone walls. As I approached, I could hear the gentle sound of water, like a constant melody around his home.
His house was exactly what I’ d imagined: bookshelves overflowing with tomes on water theory and elemental convergence, potted plants thriving under enchantments, and a small bubbling fountain in the corner of the living room.
“ Alright, so her e’ s the plan,” he said, grabbing a lightweight jacket and tossing it over his shoulder. “ W e’ re heading to the lagoon. I know you’ve been working on channeling, and I thought we could practice.... but also relax. Just us, no distractions.”
I raised an eyebrow. “ Relax? You sure You know how to do that?”
He rolled his eyes but grinned, grabbing a small satchel and motioning for me to follow him out the door.
The walk to the lagoon was peaceful, the sound of water trickling through the academ y’ s irrigation streams accompanying us. Saul pointed out little details along the way, like how the enchanted lilies in the ponds only bloomed under moonlight or how the fountain near the student dorms was actually fed by an underground water vein h e’ d helped redirect.
When we reached the lagoon, I could n’ t help but gasp. It was stunning—a crystal-clear body of water surrounded by smooth rocks and cascading waterfalls that shimmered in the sunlight. The water practically sparkled, infused with the energy of the elemental wards that kept it pristine.
“ Wow,” I breathed. “I’ ve never been here at night.” The only time id actually been. Here at all was during the tour. Vivianne had told me these areas were off limits to students. Perks of dating the professor. Or holy shit
“We are mated!” I screech freezing. Trying to look over my shoulder Saul smiles pulling out his phone to take a photo of my shoulder turning the screen to show me. A small intricate design is woven over my skin. Bright gold. But it cuts off about halfway through one of the swirls showing the missing mate marks. Holy shit I’ve mated one of my guys. My eyes go wide.
“There is something You should know-“ I start to say now that we are mated, I can tell him I’m a traveler.
“You’re a traveler.” He says matter of fact raising an eyebrow.
“Uh- yeah. How did You?”
“Little one there are very few beings that can read minds and talk telepathically. Gods, and travelers. And while I totally would argue You’re a goddess in Your own right. I don't think the beings that be, would agree with me. So that leaves traveler. “
“My mom was a traveler; she went to where I grew up when she was 21 and- well her and my dad died before I left home to come here.” I say quietly gods I miss my parents. Being here and experiencing everything the way that I am but not being able to talk to them is the hardest part.
Saul smiled, his expression softening as he watched me take it all in. “ I’m sorry You lost them. From what I’ve heard from Genna Your mother was amazing.”
“They bother were. I wish my mom would have told me about this place before she died. Where I come from is nothing like here.
“I’m sure it was hard for her; she left her parents and siblings to go to a place completely different Then anything she’s ever known.” He gives me a small smile and pulls me closer to the water.
He led me to a smooth boulder near the wate r’ s edge, setting down his satchel and pulling out two small, enchanted spheres. He handed one to me.
“ Wha t’ s this?” I asked, turning it over in my hands.
“ Focus spheres,” he explained. “ The y’ re great for fine-tuning Your control. Thought we could practice a bit; see how long You can keep it suspended without breaking Your focus.”
I gave him a playful glare. “ So, this is a date and a lesson?”
“ Hey,” he said, raising his hands defensively. “I’ m a multitasker.”
Despite the teasing, the practice turned out to be fun. Saul was patient as he guided me through the exercise, his voice calm and steady as he offered tips. “ I t’ s all about flow,” he said, his hands moving gracefully as he demonstrated. “ Do n’ t fight the current. Work with it.”
Before I knew it, I’ d gotten the hang of it, and we spent the rest of the afternoon experimenting with different techniques. At one point, Saul flicked his fingers, sending a small splash of water my way.
“ Did You just—?” I laughed, splashing him back.
His grin was pure mischief. “ Yo u’ re gonna regret that.”
What followed was a full-blown water fight, with me accidentally summoning a mini wave that nearly knocked us both over. By the time we called a truce, we were soaked and laughing so hard it hurt.
As we sat on the warm rocks, drying off under the sun, Saul turned to me, his expression softer than usual. “I’ ve needed this,” he said quietly.
I leaned back on my hands, letting the warmth seep into my skin. “ Me too.”
“I’m Sorry I’ve been super busy recently. I’ve been setting up for someone to take over my classes next year and apparently that is a lot more work than I thought. “He says taking my hand and squeezing.
“Wait, what? You don’t want to teach anymore?” I know Barrett didn’t like teaching, so he moves positions but I kind of thought teaching was perfect for Saul.
He chuckles lightly pulling my head into his lap and stroking my hair. “I just wanted to take a break. Moneys not an issue and with You here and there being so many of us I think it would be nice to have someone home to help out around the house. Plus, if I’m honest, teaching can be exhausting and recently the council has been more involved with the curriculum than id like. Barrett does what he can to field their issues but not being able to teach what I think will be most beneficial for my students in real life is kind of sucking the joy I get from it. The council thinks You learning to create shapes and form orbs that can sit on Your desk for hours shows You’re capable of handling the element. However, when was the last time You needed a star made of water for life?”
“So, you’re taking time off because of me?” I ask my voice quiet.
“No little one, you are just the best reason. I had been thinking of taking some time off, but You showing up made the thought more of a reality. “
“What do You think is necessary for us to learn?” I ask. Tracing circles on his leg.
“How to locate water, how to pull water out of Your surroundings, using water to transport items, how to control water during rainstorms or something similar, it all sounds more complicated as it is and more like survivalist stuff, but the reality is that those basic skills are things that help day to day. You drop Your phone or tablet in water, you need to know how to remove it. You need water for a potion, but You aren’t able to find any near You, you can locate the closest source. Transportation is I think the most functional. Need to cross a lake but don't want to use the roads to go around? Well just use the water to carry You across or carry Your things across. “
That all makes as ton more sense than whatever the council wants him to teach. “So Vivianne mentioned after bonds are completed that we move into the family houses?”
“Ahh, we won’t. Me and Barrett started additions onto our houses. We live next door. So, we started the building process to make it one large house so when You decide to add members to Your little harem, they will all move in there.”
“Will there be enough space? God having 7 mates is not a small harem”
“There is plenty of space, I had a three bedroom. And Barrett being the dean had 5 bedrooms combing the two we will have more than enough space. We had an idea for it, but we are going to wait until renovations are done to tell You. So, we can all show You as a family.”
Family, getting used to that word again is way harder than I thought it would be. Not only did I have my mom’s family here, but I was.