CHAPTER 25
Aelys
I take a step back from him and lean against the wall, practically merging with the brick to put as much distance between us as possible. I cross my arms over my chest and scowl at the bespectacled boy.
“What do you want, Dawson?”
“Aelys, isn't it?”
I raise an eyebrow at his nervousness as he shifts from foot to foot, when I nod. He clears his throat and pushes his glasses up his nose. It's funny he's so anxious when he's the one who brought us into this damn closet.
I know I could use my shapeshifting strength to push him out, but then I'd be exposing my secret, Matt wouldn't like that.
And he would try to corner me again the next time I was alone again.
“I don't have all day, so what do you want?” I ask through gritted teeth, my posture defensive.
“Why exactly are you marrying Rigast? The real reason, please…” He scratches the back of his neck nervously, blushing in embarrassment and avoiding eye contact with me.
“Straight to the point, I see,” I mumble. “He's my boyfriend and we love each other. End of story.”
He frowns and finally looks me in the eyes, a disappointed pout tugging at his lips.
“I don't believe you. Your family supports Darkvis, everyone knows that. Rigast has never been in a relationship and out of nowhere, you appear and are engaged? You have to admit, it's a little weird…”
I roll my eyes and take a step toward him, forcing him back, pushing him further against the door he guards so preciously I'm slightly taller than him thanks to the heeled boots I'm wearing, and I see him swallow, visibly intimidated as his nervousness increases.
“I don't owe you anything, Dawson. In fact, I don't owe anyone anything. You and the rest of the wizarding world can believe whatever you want, I don't care.”
“So you admit you're marrying him to help Darkvis win the war?”
I clench my fists and laugh devilishly. The nerves of this boy. He's practically shaking with fear in front of me, yet he continues to insist, getting on my nerves in the process.
They all think he's great because O'Connor made him his apprentice, but all I see when I look at him is a pathetic little boy who thinks he's better than everyone else.
“I never confessed anything,” I snarl. “Our marriage is real, a sincere union between two people who love each other. Believe it or not, I don’t care. Now get out of my way before I force you to move.”
He shakes his head, pity appearing on his face, which only makes me angrier. He tries to touch my arm, but I glare at him, his hand falling back to his side, disappointment flashing in his green irises.
“What I'm trying to say is… If you need help, you can tell me. If they force you to marry Rigast, O'Connor and I can help you.” He gives me a small smile and I start laughing again. He frowns in confusion and I can see him gesticulating uncomfortably again.
“I won't repeat myself, Dawson. Move,” I growl.
He swallows again, but before he has a chance to move and let me out, the door bursts open, nearly knocking Dawson backward as he's leaning against it. He barely steadies himself as I look over at whoever opened the door.
Tom stares murderously at the golden boy, his wand pointed in his direction.
“Get away from her, Dawson,” he growls. “Now!”
He's clearly afraid of Tom, even more than he is of me, he raises his hands in surrender and moves out of my way, allowing me to exit this damn closet. I even notice him trembling like a leaf.
Tom immediately grabs my arm, gently pulling me behind him.
His wand is still pointed at Dawson and I can see how tense he is.
Anger is emanating from him, and I'm afraid he'll do something stupid that could get him into trouble.
I grab his arm and pull him back, which he surprisingly allows me to do without resistance.
“Tom. He's not worth it. Let's go.”
He hesitates, but after several long seconds, he finally lowers his wand, earning a sigh of relief from the boy.
Tom puts his wand back in his pocket, but his fists clench, and I hear his knuckles pop loudly under the pressure.
He takes a step toward Dawson, and the brunette's eyes widen in fear as he takes a step back.
I stiffen, when Tom moves closer to his face and looks at him menacingly.
“Try to come near her again and I'll kill you. Do you understand, Dawson?” He speaks slowly, his voice steady yet full of venom.
The boy nods quickly, terrified, Tom turns around, gently grabbing my arm, forcing me to follow him, leaving the trembling brown-haired boy behind.
We don't say a word the entire way to building G, nor when we reach the door of the dormitory I share with Mattheo.
Anger still emanates from him, and I feel slightly uneasy being so close to him after so many weeks.
His touch feels foreign and uncomfortable, but he doesn't let go.
He gestures for me to unlock the door and we step inside. He finally lets go of my arm and walks back to the door, ready to leave. He grabs the doorknob, stops, and looks over his shoulder. His eyes meet mine for the first time in weeks, my heart breaks when I see the pain flashing in his orbs.
“I'll let your teachers know you're not feeling well and the others why you're back in your dorm. Lock it behind me and don't leave this room, do you understand?”
I nod, uncertainly clearing my throat.
“Thank you, Tom.”
He nods and leaves the room without another word. I sigh and approach the door, locking it behind him as he instructed. Mattheo is supposed to have his key with him anyway.
I look at the clock, it’s 11:26 am.
That bastard kept me in that closet longer than I thought.
I decide to take a bath since I won't be leaving the dorm anytime soon.
Once the tub is filled with hot water and suds, I undress and sink into the water, sighing contentedly once I'm fully stretched out.
I stay there until the water starts to get cold, and go put on my underwear, a pair of shorts and steal one of Mattheo's hoodies.
His scent tickles my nostrils and a small smile appears on my face. Vanilla, leather, cologne, pine wood, blood, and smoke. My favorite scent in the world. To me, it smells like home.
I grab a book I borrowed from Nancy, a book she insisted I needed to read. She told me it was a romance about a witch who accidentally poisons the candy she sells with a love potion, and a hot vampire stalker who eats said candies.
Bewitched, by Eva Rebiuh.
I slide under the silk sheets of our bed and sit up with my back against the headboard, beginning to read.
I'm almost done reading the book and I'm horny as hell. I can feel my cheeks burning and I'm hot. That little bitch forgot to mention it was an erotic book. Talk about romance, there are more sex scenes than romance!
But I felt drawn to the plot and couldn't put the book down. I jump, startled by the sound of the door being unlocked and opened, I quickly close the book, careful not to lose the page I was reading. I look up to see Mattheo closing the door behind him and lock up.
He turns around, and even from where I'm sitting, I can see his eyes light up when he sees me. I smile, and he quickly comes over to me, his lips meeting mine in a passionate kiss. We both sigh into the kiss, happy to be together again.
It's only been a day but I missed him terribly.
He breaks the kiss and presses his forehead against mine, his eyes closed and a small smile on his lips.
“Hi,” he mumbles in a tender voice.
“Hi,” I smile.
He pulls away and plants a kiss on my forehead before sitting on the floor by the bed and leaning back on his hands.
“How was your day?” He asks softly.
I tense, knowing he's definitely going to get angry. He notices immediately and frowns, worry appearing on his pretty face.
“What's wrong? Did something happen?” He asks, visibly concerned as he inspects every inch of my face.
He sits down next to me, I place my hand on his thigh and he comes over to intertwine our fingers, gently squeezing my hand to encourage me to tell him.
“Dawson happened,” I begin, I see him tense instantly as his jaw sets.
“He locked us in a broom closet and asked me why I am really marrying you. I told him to fuck off, but he kept insisting. He said he and O’Connor could help me if I was forced into this marriage.
I don’t know how, but Tom found us and helped me get back here. ”
His shoulders are now shaking with anger, and his eyes have darkened. His jaw clenches and unclenches as he tries to control his anger. I sigh, knowing he'll probably do something stupid if he doesn't calm down.
“I'm going to kill that little bastard,” he growls, clenching his free hand into a fist.
I put my bookmark in my book and lay it aside and climb onto his lap. His hands immediately move to my hips, holding me in place. He looks at me, his eyes burning with anger, possessiveness and jealousy.
I swallow, feeling aroused. I'm still a little hot from my book, and the look he's giving me only makes it worse.
I love it when he's jealous.
“Have you spoken with Tom?” He asks through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing.
“He only told me he'd let the teachers know I was sick and would tell our friends what happened. He told me to stay here for the rest of the day and left after I thanked him,” I shrug.
I squeal as his grip on my hips tightens and he moves closer to me, his lips hovering over mine. My breath catches and he grins devilishly.
“What have you been doing all day, all alone, to get so excited, angel?” He mumbles, his voice hoarse with the lust that fills him.
I swallow and shake my head, trying to protest.
“N-nothing. I'm not excited,” I lie in a small voice.
“Oh, don't lie, my angel,” he snorts. “I can tell when you are and right now” He moves his head to the side, his lips brushing my ear, I moan when I feel his breath on my skin. “You are. So tell me what you did to get so turned on.”
“I just read a book,” I finally whisper as my cheeks flush with embarrassment.