Chapter 22 #2
I turn back to Teariki. “I know Kian and you can sense her power, but even if she’s not half human, her mother was most likely a lower-level Convalescere.
She can’t fly, and she hasn’t demonstrated any abilities, let alone extraordinary ones.
Which would be necessary to be successful in challenging Boden for the Throne of Light.
Furthermore, Nik says she has an exceptional mental shield, but I saw the video of her in Professor Luna’s class.
A low-level banshee brought her to screaming tears. ”
“What?” Ariki’s brow creases. I pull up the post of the video.
Emotions dance across his face, annoyance, disgust, anger.
“What was she thinking, letting someone feed on her fear like that?” A growl rumbles low in his chest. “How do you get this taken down?” he asks, grabbing my phone and tapping on the screen.
He’s not on Enchantagram; his PR team runs all his accounts.
His lack of social media literacy is a little annoying albeit very cute.
He gets up and stalks toward Lena with the urgency of a knight in shining armor who just found his damsel.
I follow him but roll my eyes at his sweet and somewhat patronizing need to protect her.
“What were you thinking, letting someone feast on your fear in public like that?” he yells at Lena from a dozen feet away as he continues to strut toward her. She looks up in shock before recognition paints her face and turns to irritation.
“Teariki. How about ‘Hello, Lena, good to see you. How are you doing?’” She lowers her voice to mimic him before making eye contact with me and shaking her head as if we’re both exasperated with his behavior.
“I didn’t let anyone do anything. I was voluntold by a professor.
And I’m already on the faculty’s shit list. I wasn’t going to say no and cower.
” A scoff escapes her lips, like the idea of not rising to a challenge offends her.
“You shouldn’t let anyone feed on you in public. It puts you in a vulnerable position where anything can happen.” He scolds her…loudly and with aggressive hand gestures.
Her cheeks flame bright red, her blush made even more obvious by her neon-yellow shirt.
“It is none of your business what I do.” She stands toe-to-toe with him.
“And I’m not vulnerable. I’m perfectly capable of defending myself.
” As strands of her unruly curls fall in front of her face, she lets out an irritated little huff, blowing them about.
Teariki and I both burst out laughing and, much to Lena’s chagrin, so do her friends. I didn’t think it was possible, but her blush deepens. She purses her soft lips, toeing the dirt.
“I’m sorry, babe, but you really can’t,” her friend—Naomi, I think is her name—says. “Not yet. But we will fix that!” She slaps her hand on Lena’s shoulder, almost pushing the girl over.
“We’re going to help you,” Teariki exclaims with the fierceness of an alpha who just made a unilateral decision.
“What?” both Lena and I ask in tandem.
“I’m going to tutor you in combat.” Teariki smiles like this is the best idea in the whole world.
I’m sure totally out of the goodness in his heart and not because he has bet against Nik on Boden’s combat team placement and certainly not so he can spend time (that he doesn’t have) with Lena, who it’s becoming very apparent he’s taken an interest in.
“Really, you will?” she asks, her flushed face shining with hope.
“Yeah! And Cal will help too, right?” He looks at me with an expression that says “Don’t leave me hanging.
” On one hand, I’m sure Boden would see this as providing Lena an unearned advantage.
He certainly wouldn’t be happy with me cozying up to her.
On the other hand, I’m intrigued by the strange captivating creature.
Teariki looks so happy with himself, unaware of my internal struggle.
His excitement is too heartwarming. It’s clear to me that Ariki is developing feelings.
He collects people, even outside the confines of his side occupation.
Once he’s decided you’re his, he shows up for you.
And then Lena looks at me with an optimistic question in her big bunny eyes.
“Yes, fine,” I acquiesce.
She squeals, “Thank you!” and gives Teariki a hug before turning her flailing arms on me. “Thank you, I could use all the help I can get!” Stars, that’s what these two are, two cuddly little fluffy bunnies or hyperactive puppies. Boden is going to have me drawn and quartered when he finds out.
I watch her and Teariki chat about the training schedule.
There’s something about her that I…like?
There’s something innocently mischievous about her that is so completely endearing.
I’ve noticed her face light up with wonder, even when our peers have been hard on her.
She’s beautiful, but unrefined. Rough like a raw garnet.
Both she and Teariki lavish their charming smiles on me.
It’s rather jarring to have all their focus and attention, disconcerting and yet thrilling, borderline breathtaking.
A vision trickles into my mind—Ariki’s bronze body all tangled up with smooth voluptuous thighs and Tempranillo-tinted hair.
Her soft curves bending to his hard lines.
They both have such pretty lips. I wonder what they would look like on their knees for me?
I decide at this moment that I would do just about anything to feel the rush that accompanies their dual regard.
I don’t know if she’s a threat to Boden’s throne, if she’s aware of potential attacks on the realm, or if she’s working with the Dark Suns.
All I really know for sure is that she’s a sweet, bright girl, unfamiliar with the world around her.
Who needs guidance, support, and to learn to block a damn punch.