CHAPTER 16
Aelys
When I wake up the next day, I immediately feel his arms wrapped around my waist and his warm body pressed against mine. By the sound of his calm breathing, I know he's still asleep. I blush as I begin to remember what happened the night before.
I'm still a little confused by what he meant when he said he never hated me. Was he acting like a jerk just to hide the fact that he cares about me?
I slowly pry his arm from around my waist, doing my best not to wake him.
After I succeed, I get out of bed and go get my uniform since classes start today.
I go into the bathroom to start the shower and begin to undress.
As I slip under the steaming hot water, I start to think of a plan to accomplish my task.
I'll ask Mattheo to show me who Dawson's friends are today, but I still need a plan and how I'm going to go about killing them.
I could try to befriend them, gain their trust, and then kill them, but there’s a good chance that they’ve seen me with Mattheo, so they'd probably find it suspicious. I can try following them for a few weeks, learn their habits and schedules, to corner them once they're alone.
Yeah, that sounds like a good plan.
I rinse the soap off my body, step out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself. I put on my underwear and bra, when Mattheo decides to walk in. Without knocking of course.
“Good morning,” he mumbles in a hoarse morning voice.
Holy shit! Why is his morning voice so sexy?
My own thoughts make me blush. As for Mattheo, he laughs, and I immediately give him a dirty look. It's getting annoying that he's constantly reading my thoughts.
He glances in my direction and his eyes widen slightly when he notices I'm only in my panties and bra.
I roll my eyes and resume getting dressed.
I put on some gray stockings and my black skirt.
I'm glad it's mid-thigh length. Not too short, but not too long either.
Next, I put on the white blouse, leaving the top two buttons undone, and put on my gray tie.
That's when I notice Mattheo is still staring at me, frozen. The idiot hasn't moved an inch. His mouth is slightly open, his eyes still wide.
“It's rude to stare, you know.” I roll my eyes, but the small smile tugging at my lips betrays my amusement.
He blinks before clearing his throat and turns on the shower, finally regaining his composure.
“Yeah, sorry,” he mumbles.
I laugh and brush my hair. I decide to put it in a high ponytail because I don't want it to bother me during the day. I do my best to ignore Mattheo, who is now completely naked, as he slips under the water.
I clear my throat and grab my makeup, trying not to look at the shower stall.
I apply mascara and a little eyeliner because I like how it looked when Nancy did it for the party.
I apply red lipstick and spray on my trusty cherry perfume.
I place my wand case on my right thigh and slide the wand inside.
I take one last look in the mirror, feeling satisfied with my appearance.
Mattheo gets out of the shower and gets dressed as well. We brush our teeth and return to the bedroom. I put on my shoes while he does the same.
“We have the same schedule. A gift from Stevens,” he explains, and I nod.
It's a relief not to have classes alone, Mattheo can show me around the monastery grounds.
I remember that Professor Stevens is also a disciple of Darkvis, having heard my father mention him multiple times when he returned from meetings with the Dark Mage.
This explains why he arranged for us to share a room with Mattheo, even though the dormitories aren't supposed to be mixed.
On the other hand…
“Wait, how does Theo know you're my fiancé?”
“What?” He frowns, confused and surprised by my sudden question.
“Yesterday at dinner. He called you my fiancé. Does that mean everyone knows?”
He nods as he puts his books in his bag. I copy him, making sure to take the same ones he takes. I don't want to get reprimanded for not having my things with me on the first day.
“My father announced the news to his most loyal followers. Theo, Enzo, Cameron and Arthur's fathers are part of his inner circle. The boys sent me a congratulatory letter when they found out. It was the day after you arrived at Leroi Manor.”
He hesitates for a few seconds as he closes his bag.
“They know you're destined to rule by my side when I become the next Dark Mage. You're their future queen, in a way. That's why they respect you and accept you so easily.’
I frown as my stomach clenches at the word 'queen'. What does that mean?
“Queen?” I dare to repeat, confused.
He throws his bag over his shoulder and turns to me. His eyes are full of tenderness as he gazes gently into mine.
“Yes. I don't know what other word to use to describe the role you'll fill when I take over as leader of the disciples after my father's death,” he shrugs.
My breath catches and I shake my head, not wanting to accept what he says.
This is insane.
“But you said I am just a surrogate for your heir. I don't understand how I could become your queen. It makes no sense. A surrogate mother isn't meant to rule. Besides, you also said your father would probably kill me once the baby was born, so-”
He interrupts me by cupping my cheeks.
“Okay, first of all, I'm sorry I said that nonsense, angel. You're not just a surrogate for my heir, and my father won't touch a single hair on your pretty head, understand?”
I nod, still uncertain but somewhat reassured by the determination I see in his eyes. Satisfied, he continues.
“Second, you're going to become my wife, so obviously you'll rule by my side, my angel. We will make every decision together.”
My lips part and my eyes widen as I marvel at his words and the emotions swirling in his brown irises. Does he really mean what he just said?
“I really mean it, my angel.”
“You really need to stop reading my mind,” I snort, irritated but amused, rolling my eyes.
He chuckles before resting his forehead against mine.
“Never,” he whispers.
He pulls back and places a kiss on the top of my head, sending a thousand shivers down my spine.
“Well, our first class is Charms with Burke. We should go to the main hall and have some breakfast first.”
“Sure, let's go,” I nod and start walking towards the door but stop dead in my tracks, forcing Mattheo to do the same so he doesn't bump into me.
“Wait! You have to show me Dawson's friends during class! Oh, and what about us? Does everyone in the magical world know about us?”
I tilt my head to the side to look at him over my shoulder.
“I'll show them to you, don't worry,” he nods. “And I believe it will be announced publicly soon, so no, not yet. Only the disciples in my father's inner circle know for now,” he shrugs.
“Does that mean we have to behave like friends?” I frown and bite my lower lip in a nervous tic.
He laughs devilishly and comes to stand in front of me. He grabs my chin between his fingers and rubs his nose against mine. My heart races and I gasp slightly.
“So every boy in this fucking academy can flirt with you? I don’t think so. You belong to me, my angel. Don’t forget that,” he snarls, his dark eyes fixed on mine.
I roll my eyes as a small smile plays on my face, betraying how much I like his words.
“So that means you belong to me too?” I ask innocently, looking at him from under my eyelashes.
“What do you think?” He chuckles, rolling his eyes. “Of course it does, my angel.”
I begin to feel more confident and let my hand rest where the first buttons of his blouse are open, gently brushing my fingers over his tanned skin.
I maintain my innocent gaze through my lashes, not failing to notice how his breathing is now ragged and how his eyes are darkening as they are fixed on my face.
“Are you going to make me yours in front of the whole school, Mattheo?” My fingers move to his tie, gently playing with it.
His hand leaves my chin and grabs my throat, squeezing gently in warning. His head shifts to the side, his lips lightly brushing my ear. Shivers run down my spine and I gasp again.
“Careful, my love. Don't start something you can't finish,” he spits venomously.
He brings his face back to mine, his lips hovering over mine. My breath hitches and I blink, fighting the urge to close my eyes and crush my lips to his. I won’t give in first.
“Is that what you want, slut? Me claiming you as mine in front of everyone?”
I squeeze my thighs together to soothe the pain in my core. The little bastard knows what he's doing. He knows what I'm playing at and laughs devilishly, his tongue licking his lips to moisten them.
“Am I turning you on, my angel?” He tilts his head to the side, his lips still inches from mine, torturing me even more.
I nod and he squeezes my throat tighter, making me gasp harder.
“Use your words, slut,” he spits through gritted teeth.
“Yes,” I stutter.
He smiles mischievously before pulling away from me. I whimper at the lack of contact and he chuckles darkly.
“So needy,” he clicks his tongue in mocking disapproval. “You must be patient, my love. We're going to be late for class.”
He winks as he leaves the dorm, leaving me stunned. Did he just-? Oh, what a bastard!
The idiot ran off to breakfast without me, leaving me to find my way back to the main hall on my own.
Luckily, I found it easily. I see the group sitting in the middle of the wizarding table and walk over to them, slightly angry at my idiot fiancé.
I sit between Nancy and him, noticing the smirk on his face.
I roll my eyes and ignore him as I greet everyone.
“Well, don’t you look cheery, beautiful!” Enzo teases me as he takes a bite of his bun.
I laugh a little when I notice the dark look Mattheo is giving him. I point my thumb in Mattheo's direction, grab some toast and place it on the plate in front of me.
“Ask the brooding boy right there.”
Enzo raises an amused eyebrow and chuckles while Mattheo just rolls his eyes in mock annoyance.
“Oh, by the way, I didn't get a chance to apologize for flirting with you on the train, Aelys. I didn't realize you were… Well, you know,” Enzo smiled softly, scratching his neck nervously.
“Don't worry about it,” I shrug, smiling softly.
I pour myself a cup of tea and add two sugars before stirring. My cousin nudges me, and I look at her with a small smile on my face.
“So, is everything going well between you two?” She whispers in my ear while wiggling her eyebrows playfully.
I laugh, nodding my head.
“I'll explain everything to you and the girls later. Can we meet in your dorm after class?” I suggest while taking a sip of my tea, savoring its aromas.
She nods before looking at Kiara and Paula, who quickly nod in agreement.
I laugh softly before grabbing another bun.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my thigh and I look down to see Mattheo's hand.
His thumb begins to trace circles as he continues to eat his pastry, as if nothing is wrong.
He smiles softly to himself before snapping his head up when Theo speaks.
“So, are you going to tell everyone or keep it a secret?”
I see Tom look up from his coffee cup, looking at me intensely, a silent question in his blue irises. I shift nervously in my seat, slightly uncomfortable under his piercing gaze. Mattheo squeezes my thigh in silent support before answering.
“There will be an official announcement in a few weeks, but we won't hide it.”
I see the pain flashing in Tom's eyes, but his face remains impassive.
I feel bad for him. Even though we cleared things up yesterday, I know it still hurts him to see me with his brother.
He gets up and leaves without a word. No one says anything, not even when Mattheo looks at him harshly for a few seconds.
I roll my eyes.
Men.
They're so immature sometimes. I'm drinking the rest of my tea while listening to the others complain about classes when Mattheo's voice starts echoing in my mind.
‘Look to the left, at the end of the middle table, my love. Do you see the trio slightly isolated from the rest of the fairies?’
I look at the indicated place and immediately notice a boy with black hair, another with blond hair and a girl with curly brown hair.
‘Yes.’
‘Good. The blond guy and the girl are your targets, my angel.’
I take a closer look at the blond boy and the girl for a few seconds, memorizing their faces.
‘Rick Law and Lucy Jones,’he adds.
“Okay, who else has spells?” Enzo asks as he stands up, ending my telepathic conversation with my fiancé.
“We do,” I answer as Mattheo and I stand up.
“Yeah, me too,” Kiara gets up too.
“Awesome!” He smiles brightly, almost skipping towards the exit.
Mattheo slips his hand into mine, interlacing our fingers, and I look down, trying to hide the small smile that creeps onto my face.
We leave the main hall, and I follow them towards the building that houses the classrooms, trying to memorize the route.
Even though I have all my classes with Mattheo, it's better for me to know my way around the monastery in case I find myself alone one day.
Kiara steps to my left, a bright smile on her face as she leans in to whisper in my ear.
“You'd better tell us everything tonight. And without omitting any details!”
“I will, don't worry,” I laugh.
Mattheo squeezes my hand, making me look at him. He raises a confused and questioning eyebrow.
“Are you seeing the girls tonight?”
“Yes, why?”
He shrugs before leaning towards my ear, his hot breath making my skin crawl as he whispers.
“Since you were such a desperate girl before breakfast, I thought you wanted me to take care of you, my angel.”
My breath hitches as I stare at him with wide eyes, my lips part in disbelief. He grins devilishly, clearly pleased with himself, before walking into the classroom, dragging me behind him. He leads us to a table at the back of the room.
We sit down and take out our books, paper and pencils. Once he has everything he needs, he places his hand on my thigh like he did earlier. He begins tracing abstract patterns on my skin with his thumb, and a shiver runs down my spine.
I'm surprised by how gentle he's been since we woke up. He was still acting like a jerk yesterday morning, and his attitude has changed so suddenly since last night... After our conversation and the events that followed, I'm still surprised to see him being so nice to me.
I had gotten so used to the insults that seeing him act like this gives me butterflies.
I don't know what this means for our relationship, but I like the way he treats me, maybe a little too much.
If he's only doing it for the sake of his public image, I know I'll suffer, but I can't help but feel what I'm feeling. I tense up as I realize something.
I'm starting to fall in love with him, and I'm falling hard.
This fall is going to hurt like hell.