Page 154 of Twisted Ties

“I’m going to fucking kill her,” I say, taking a decided pace in the direction of the campus. “I’m going to pluck every strand of hair from that stupid girl’s head.”

She tugs on my arm. “You’re not. You’re going to let me fight my own battles.”

I yank on her grip, the anger white hot in my veins. “She’s a little–”

“Bitch, I know.” She places her palm on my chest, blocking my path. “But you’re going to have to beat up an awful lot of people in this academy if you want to avenge every wrong ever done to me. And that includes yourself.” The anger rushes from me in a sudden gush and in its place I feel the weight of guilt. She examines my face. “What you did to me … on Founders’ Night.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m really sorry for it. If I could …”

“Rewind time. Yeah, well.”

I take her hands in mine. “I am truly sorry.”

“You know that isn’t enough, though, right? Anyone can say sorry.” She swallows. “Andrew said he was sorry. He bought me flowers and everything. And then …”

“Yes, I know. I know I have a lot of making up to do to you, Rhi. An awful lot.” I’ve treated her like shit. I’ve treated her worse than shit. I am no better than thespoiled, self-entitled jerks in this academy. She’s my fated mate. I should have been falling at her feet and dedicating my life to her. Fuck, I should probably be falling at her feet now.

“You can start by fetching me a drink.” She points to my bottle of beer resting on the decking behind us.

“You’re underage,” I say.

She scowls at me and sends a picture of the pain she’ll cause to my balls if I don’t hand the drink over.

I chuckle and take her hand in mine, leading her over to the decking and passing her my drink.

“If you’d used similar force on Summer perhaps–”

“Oh, I was tempted, but she’s just waiting for the opportunity where I attack her with my magic, then she’ll be straight to York, demanding I’m expelled.”

“I thought expulsion was what you wanted.”

She sighs. “I don’t know anymore.”

She chugs a long mouthful of beer and I snatch the bottle back.

“Easy, we all remember what happened the last time you drank.” She wipes her hand over her mouth and I trace my knuckles down her cheek. “I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay here with me.”

She stares at me.

“Half the time I think you hate me, Professor.”

“I don’t hate you. I think you know it’s quite the opposite.”

“Do I? You’ve never said it.”

I take a deep inhale. “It’s not a word that comes easily to me, Rhianna. You have to understand that. My past … my life …” She nods.

“It’s just a word. Like sorry.”

“It isn’t, it’s a hell of a lot more than that. And it scaresthe shit out of me if I’m honest. That’s why I never told you … that’s why I’ve been fighting it. I was afraid.”

“You? Afraid?” she scoffs.

“Me.” I sigh, dropping down to perch on the edge of the decking. “My dad …” I take a long gulp of my beer, the bottle bumping against my lips as the bottle shakes. I peer up at her and she’s watching me, waiting.

I sigh again and close my eyes, bringing the memory in front of my eyes and projecting it into her mind.

A young man.His chestnut hair clipped short against his scalp, dressed in the dark uniform of the authorities, a soldier’s cap balanced on his head.