Chapter 38 – Ophelia
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
OPHELIA
M alachi licks the residual pancake syrup from my lips before giving me a kiss. “You missed some, baby.”
The sweet aftertaste of my delicious breakfast still clings to my tastebuds. “They were amazing, as always. Thank you.”
“I had to make sure my girl was fully nourished before our trip back to Montridge, now, didn’t I?” He grabs my ass with one hand and skims his fangs down my throat. “Especially as you were gracious enough to be breakfast to all of us this morning.”
Warm pleasure coils deep in my core, and I shrug out of his grip before things get more heated. “Speaking of our trip, I’m going to go find something more suitable to wear.” I flick the hem of the pink sundress for effect.
Xavier flashes me a smirk. “I was always partial to the miniskirt-and-tank-top look on you, Cupcake.”
Malachi winks. “Me too.”
I look to Axl. “Any special requests from you?”
He slides his arms around my waist and ducks his head to press a kiss at the base of my throat. “Anything that shows off these beautiful curves is fine by me. But yeah, I was also a fan of the miniskirt combo.”
As I head to the bedroom, I consider my options. I haven’t worn my old “uniform” since we left Montridge. Was that really only a month ago? It feels like it’s been a lifetime. So much has changed, especially me.
Returning to Montridge has me giddy, but the reason we are returning has me on edge. How are we supposed to act remotely normal when the apocalypse is supposedly on the horizon? I can’t forget what Enora told me about the whole prophecy thing. And I know Alexandros is trying to protect me from the weight of that burden, but what if it is true? What if this is all connected and I am at the center of it all?
A thick knot of trepidation sits in the pit of my stomach, and I lay a hand on my abdomen. I remind myself who I am. What I am. I am an elementai. The last of my kind. Descendant of the great Azezal himself.
Always trust your light. Nazeel’s words come back to me, and I close my eyes and immediately find the dazzling orb seated within me. Flickering and sparkling like a miniature supernova. It increases in intensity as my powers grow stronger. And, with a deep breath, I find my inner peace. The calm within the raging storm that has become my life.
I roll back my shoulders and go to the closet to examine the contents. Osiris said we could take what we wanted, and what I want is sitting right there on a hanger in front of me. As if it has been waiting for my arrival. I run my fingertips across the soft black leather and smile. It’s definitely time for a new uniform.
All the guys are in the den by the time I’m dressed. Xavier and Axl have their heads bent over a map. Malachi is reading a book, and Alexandros is staring out the window, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his dress pants, the white shirt he borrowed pulled taut across his muscular back. He looks every inch the respectable professor again.
He spins around when I walk into the room, and the guys look up from what they were doing.
“Holy fucking shit, Cupcake!” Xavier exclaims while Malachi wolf whistles and Axl groans loudly, biting on his lip and tipping his face to the ceiling. The three of them crowd me and run their hands over my leather-clad skin. Grunts and groans and declarations of approval wash over me.
I look down at my new outfit: black leather pants, a tank top, and a black leather jacket. Skintight but supple and surprisingly comfortable and practical. “So you like the new look?” I ask, unable to stop myself from blushing. “It’s not too… cliché?”
“Like it? Cupcake, I love it. You look hot as fuck.” His hand slides down to my ass and gives it a squeeze.
Axl kisses my forehead. “Like an avenging fucking angel. A sexy-as-hell avenging angel.”
Malachi twirls me around and then wraps me in a hug. “You look incredible, baby.”
I glance over Malachi’s shoulder at Alexandros, who has remained silent and stoic, which isn’t unusual, but I hoped for a little more of a reaction from him.
I catch his eye. “Do you approve?”
He strides across the room and reaches us in less than a second. With one hand, he grabs the back of my neck and drags me toward him, tilting my head back with his grip. “No, Ophelia, I do not approve.” His voice is low and dangerous, and it sends a shiver down my spine. “In fact, I disapprove so much that I have half a mind to march you back into that room where I will relieve you of every scrap of these clothes.” He presses a kiss on my lips. “After which, I will fuck your mouth before I dress you in more appropriate attire.”
As hot as that sounds, is he serious? I’d be hurt, except I sense a wicked playfulness in his tone. “And what exactly would you deem appropriate, sir?”
He runs his nose across my jawline, inhaling deeply. “Something that does not make me instantly hard every time I look at you.” His lips twitch with the faintest hint of a smirk before he swats me hard on the ass. “But alas, we do not have time for such frivolity. We must leave before Anikêtos gets any more annoyed and burns down a small village.”
He stalks out of the room, and I glance between the three guys, trying to suppress my grin. “So you think he likes it, then?”
Xavier slips his arm around my waist. “Cupcake, he is going to fuck the brat out of you for wearing this as soon as he can. Yeah, he likes it.”
I like it too, and not only because the boys love it and it seems to do something in particular to Alexandros.
I like it because it feels very much like the new me. Ophelia Hart, the girl who is about to ride home on the back of the most powerful dragon that ever lived.