CHAPTER 24
Aelys
I wince in pain as my eyes open. My body is sore after the incredible night we spent together. He was so happy to finally know the exact date of our wedding that he insisted on, and I quote, worshipping me all night.
He was incredibly gentle the first time but quickly lost control and then fucked me hard.
Twice.
This guy has so much stamina and wants to fuck me all the time. He also loves seeing how many times he can make me come in one night, which turns out is a lot.
I glance over at his side of the bed and sigh in disappointment when I notice he's gone.
However, I notice a vase with a beautiful bouquet of pink lilies on the bedside table. My favorite flowers.
A bright smile spreads across my face and I rush to smell them. There's a note next to the vase and I pick it up, my heart skipping a beat when I recognize his now familiar and neat handwriting.
I sigh, disappointed and slightly annoyed that the Dark Mage is forcing him to go on a mission in the middle of the week. Dawson already suspects Arthur and forcing Mattheo to randomly miss classes in the middle of the week will only make things worse.
I place the note on the nightstand and get out of bed to head to the bathroom.
I take a quick shower, put on my uniform, put on light makeup and grab my bag that’s already packed since yesterday.
I leave the dorm, locking it behind me with my key, before heading to the G building exit to reach the main hall for breakfast.
As I expected, all my friends are already there. The girls are chatting together and the boys seem half asleep. My gaze scans the room and I frown in confusion when I notice that practically everyone is looking at me.
I pay no attention to them and sit down next to Kiara, greeting my friends as I pass before having a cup of tea.
“Where did your shadow go?” Theodore smiled, waving a croissant in front of him.
“He has things to do, he won't be here today. I guess you'll be my shadows for the day.” I wink at them and they laugh. “By the way, do you have any idea why everyone is looking at me?” I raise an questioning eyebrow.
They exchange a glance before Cameron hands me the newspaper.
I notice it's the most popular in the magical world: The Spectator.
I frown in confusion, but pick it up and read the front page: Mattheo Rigast, successor to the infamous Dark Mage, Darkvis, is to marry the daughter of the influential disciple, Caius Hewloc.
What does this mean for the future of the magical world?
My eyes widen. I knew this was going to happen since the official date and invitations were sent to all the disciples yesterday, but I didn't expect to see it in the newspapers the next day.
This explains why everyone is looking at me so strangely.
I open the newspaper to the page containing the full article and begin to read:
I roll my eyes and put down the newspaper.
What a load of bullshit. The sole purpose of our marriage is to give Mattheo an heir so our child can continue his reign.
Of course, my father is rich and influential in the magical world, so I assume the Dark Mage receives financial aid from my father for the war as well as help in recruiting new followers, but I'm not sure that's what will help him conquer the magical world.
I jump slightly when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see Kiara smiling softly, worry appearing on her pretty face.
“Are you alright?” She asks softly.
“Yes, they don't know what they're talking about. It doesn't matter,” I shrug nonchalantly.
She nods and squeezes my shoulder before returning to her pancakes. She gestures for me to eat, and I roll my eyes as I grab some bacon. She smiles, happy to see me eating. I glance over at the other students only to catch Dawson's gaze, who is openly glaring at me.
His friends also glance in my direction before looking down as if they're afraid of me. I roll my eyes in exasperation and Arthur notices.
He frowns and calls after me. “What is it, little lady?”
“I think O'Connor's little protégé is going to be a problem today,” I nod towards the fairies’ table.
My friends all look at Dawson, but he doesn't blink, his eyes still fixed on me. The girls glare at him while the boys turn to look at me.
“He's never tried, why would he do it now?” Theodore frowns.
“Mattheo isn't here,” I call back, raising an eyebrow, and he nods slowly, agreeing.
“She’s right,” Arthur adds. “She’s never alone, but he noticed Rigast wasn’t here, which is unusual.
He’s been wary of us since school started, and I heard him talking about you the other day, Aelys.
He’s curious. He wants to know why you’re with Rigast, and the news of your marriage isn’t helping to distract him from the fact that he wants answers to his questions.
He’ll definitely try to talk to you. Rigast asked us to never leave you alone today, so don’t you dare go anywhere alone. Understand, little lady?”
He raises an eyebrow and looks at me intensely, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
I nod and ask who has brewing class so we can get there before being late. Nancy, Enzo and Cameron nod, we get up, leave the main building and head to the lab at the back of the S building, which also houses a few classrooms.
Cameron nudges me with his elbow and motions me to look behind us.
I roll my eyes when I see Dawson and his friends following us.
He's a wizard, so he has class with us. But Jones and Law are fairies.
Maybe they have a class in one of the classrooms in the same building.
If not, they're not discreet enough to follow someone without them knowing.
We arrive at the lab and sit together at a table of four, my cousin next to me and the boys on the stools opposite us.
Professor Lowery asks us to prepare an anti-paralysis lotion and we get to work. Well, mostly Enzo and me. Cameron is practically asleep, and Nancy is doing her nails.
It's a good thing this lotion is quick and easy to make because Enzo isn't really much help... The poor guy keeps grabbing the wrong ingredients and I have to keep reminding him of the right ones before he will accidentally sabotage our work.
At least he helps...
Once we're finished, Lowery checks our lotion, testing it on a frog he'd previously paralyzed with an injection. He congratulates us on how perfect it is, working in just a few seconds. Enzo raises his hand and I give him a laughing high-five.
“I don't care what Rigast thinks, you're my new brewing partner!”
“Okay, okay,” I laugh. “You'll be partners with us from now on.”
He grins broadly and we pack our things before leaving the lab. Nancy and I have a free hour that we decide to spend in the library, I have Spiritism class with Professor Morgan after, while she has Charms with Professor Hicks.
Cameron lets me know that he's also into spiritualism and that he'll pick me up from the library so we can go together. I nod and the boys head off to their classes.
Nancy and I head to the library, located in the L building, just across from the S building.
We sit at a table in the corner, away from prying eyes.
It's been an hour since breakfast and the announcement of my marriage to Matt, and all eyes are on me.
I try not to notice, but I don't like being the center of attention.
I won’t be patient for long.
We study for the entire hour, getting ahead on our homework. Now it's time for me to go to Spiritualism class with Cameron. Only, he's 10 minutes late.
So I tell my cousin to leave for her class, not wanting her to be late because of me. She refuses at first, saying that Mattheo will kill her, but I assure her that everything will be fine and he won't find out.
I wait a few more minutes, but since my friend still hasn't arrived, I sigh and decide to go to class without him. He probably forgot to pick me up. I don't mind, I just hope Matt doesn't find out, or he'll definitely kill him.
As I enter building M where Professor Morgan teaches, I feel someone grab my wrist and I let out a yelp as I'm pulled roughly into a broom closet.
The person pushes me to the back of the small space, placing themselves against the door blocking the only way out, preventing me from escaping. The person turns on the light and my eyes widen in alarm. Dawson.