Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty Four
Cassara felt like she was floating as she made her way back across the school grounds. Her body hummed with a contentment she’d never experienced before, every step a reminder of Auren’s touch. The soreness between her thighs was a delicious ache that made her cheeks warm with remembered pleasure.
For the first time in weeks, the knot of anxiety in her chest had loosened. You’re not alone in this anymore. The promise echoed in her mind, wrapping around her like armor.
She was so lost in the memory of his hands on her skin, that she almost didn’t notice the familiar warmth of materialization until a small weight settled across her shoulders.
She looked over to find her creature draped there like a shoal, his eyes studying her face with curious intensity.
You seem happy now. Much happier than before. You smell different too.
Heat flooded her cheeks as it dawned on her what he might be picking up on. “You’re supposed to stay in the shard,” she whispered, but there was no real irritation in her voice. How could she be anything but content right now?
But you’re not sad anymore, the creature observed, tilting his head with that innocent curiosity. I wanted to see what changed. Your heart beats differently now. Calmer.
Despite everything, Cassara found herself smiling, a real, genuine smile that felt foreign after a lifetime of hiding behind pretense. “I suppose I am happier.”
Good, he said simply, as if her happiness was the most important thing in the world. I don’t like when you’re sad.
The genuine care in that small voice made her heart ache. “Go back to the shard now. Someone might see.”
Will you still be happy tomorrow?
“I hope so,” she said softly, meaning it.
The creature nuzzled against her cheek once before allowing himself to be recalled in a flash of silver light. Cassara pressed her palm to the shard, feeling the warmth of his presence settle there, comforting in a way she wasn’t ready to admit.
She turned down a side path that wound its way through the gardens, already picturing the warm comfort of her bed, the slow crawl of memory that would keep her flushed and giddy for hours yet—
Her breath caught as a figure stepped from the shadows, blocking her.
Julian.
He didn’t speak at first, just looked at her.
And then, he smiled.
It wasn’t the polished one he wore for galas or his condescending smirk from class. This smile was sharp and held the promise of cruelty. It told her everything she needed to know before he even opened his mouth.
“I’ve been waiting a while,” he said casually, as if this were a friendly chat and not a noose tightening. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Cassara didn’t answer, instead she tried to step sideways, but his hand shot out, bracing against the wall beside her head. Trapping her.
“Move,” she snapped.
“I don’t think I will.” His eyes swept over her, taking in details she hadn’t even realized were visible—her slightly mussed hair, the way her clothes sat differently on her body, the lingering flush in her cheeks. “You have that look, Cassara. That glow that comes after… well. After.”
She tried once again to move around him, but he mirrored her movement, keeping her cornered as he leaned in close and inhaled deeply.
“You smell like sex.”
Her stomach twisted.
“I said move,” she said, hating how small her voice sounded. “Get out of my way.”
Instead, he stepped in, tightening the cage of his arms until her back hit stone.
“No.” His eyes swept over her, invasive and cold. “I want to know who it was. Which one of them touched you.”
“You’ve lost your mind,” Cassara insisted before she tried to duck under his arm. He caught her arm in one hand and her chin with the other, his fingers digging in like iron as he yanked her back. “Look at me.”
She did because she had no choice.
His face was beautiful, his features carved with aristocratic perfection, but up close like this, she could finally see the cracks in the facade. The cold fury. The hunger.
“Who?” he repeated, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Was it Gideon? Is that why you’ve been sniffing around him lately? Or was it someone else?” His lips curled. “One of the third years, maybe? You always did like a challenge.”
“Let go of me,” Cassara snapped, trying to twist away.
“Not until you answer me.” His fingers dug deeper into her jaw, forcing her head back against the wall. “I have every right to know who touched what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours.” The words came out as a growl, but her voice shook.
“Aren’t you?” His thumb traced her lower lip with mock tenderness, the gesture made obscene by the violence in his grip. “Your father seems to think otherwise. The marriage contract is already drafted, you know. Just waiting for the right moment.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?” His smile was razor-sharp. “Ask him yourself. Better yet, don’t. I’d hate to spoil the surprise.”
Before she could react, his mouth crashed against hers in a bruising kiss that tasted of possession and cruelty. There was nothing of Auren’s reverence in it, nothing tender or caring. Just dominance and the bitter tang of her own fear.
She couldn’t move, couldn’t think, just tasted him, sharp and sour, felt the crushing press of his body pinning her to the stone.
Her mind screamed.
Cassara wrenched her face away, tearing her mouth free with a gasp.
And then she hit him.
Her open palm cracked across his face causing Julian’s head to snap sideways from the force. His hand fell from her, and for the briefest second he looked more shocked than hurt.
“You little—”
She drew back her hand to strike him again, but he was faster. His fingers caught around her wrist, not crushing but firm enough to stop her momentum.
“Enough,” he said through gritted teeth. “I think you’ve made your point.”
His grip was iron, holding her arm suspended between them as he leaned in once again.
“But don’t think for a moment that this changes anything. You can fight me all you want, Cassara, but we both know how this ends.”
Then—
A scream.
Not hers.
Julian bellowed in pain, his entire body jerking as he stumbled back.
Cassara blinked through the blur, and there, just below the hem of his pants, was a streak of silver fury.
The creature.
He clamped onto Julian’s ankle with a snarl that seemed far too large for something so small. His teeth sank in deep, his tail whipping furiously as he latched on with feral vengeance. Cassara heard the crunch of expensive leather giving way under fangs like needles.
Julian tried to shake him off, but the creature held fast, claws scrabbling at his shin, ripping at fabric and skin with wild determination. He shouted, cursing, stumbling back against the wall as it tore into him again.
“What the hell?!” he yelled, trying to kick, but the creature vanished with a shimmer, only to reappear a second later clamped onto his other leg.
This was her creature. Her moth chasing, spider eating, infuriating little creature had turned out to be her brave, fierce, protective little creature. He held on with grim determination, growling like a miniature dragon as he gnawed Julian’s flesh through his boot.
Go! came the urgent voice in her mind. Run! Now!
Cassara didn’t hesitate. She pushed off the wall and ran, her feet flying as Julian’s curses echoed behind her. She could hear him still trying to dislodge her protector, his voice rising in pain and confusion.
She burst through the entrance to the girls’ wing, not stopping until she was well past the barrier that would keep Julian out. Only then did she allow herself to slow, pressing her back against the cool stone wall as she struggled to catch her breath.
The corridor was blessedly empty, lit only by the soft glow of mage-light. She could hear the distant murmur of voices from behind dormitory doors, late-night conversations and muffled laughter that spoke of a normalcy she couldn’t even fathom right now.
Her hands were shaking. Her lip throbbed where Julian’s brutal kiss had split it, and she could still taste copper on her tongue. But worse than the physical discomfort was what he had claimed.
The marriage contract is already drafted.
A flash of silver light announced her creature’s return. He materialized in her arms, looking remarkably pleased with himself despite a small smear of blood on his muzzle.
Are you hurt? he asked immediately, silver eyes wide with concern as they searched her face.
Cassara touched her swollen lip gingerly. “I’ll live. But you—” Her voice caught. “You saved me.”
Of course I did, he said simply, as if there had never been any question. You’re mine to protect.
The words cut deep. All this time, she’d been resenting him for not being what she wanted, when it turned out he’d been exactly what she needed. Brave. Loyal. Fierce when it mattered.
“Thank you,” she whispered, meaning it more than she’d ever meant anything.
He nuzzled against her cheek, warm and comforting. Always.
Cassara took a few more minutes to compose herself, using the small mirror mounted near the washrooms to check that her hair was properly arranged and her clothes were in order.
When she finally slipped into her dormitory room, moving as quietly as possible, she was relieved to find it dark and peaceful. Soft breathing came from the other beds indicating her roommates were asleep.
Cassara changed into her nightgown in the darkness, every movement careful and silent. Her creature remained recalled in his shard, but she could feel his presence there, warm, protective, devoted.
As she finally settled into her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin, she tried to reconcile the events of the evening.
The incredible joy and connection with Auren felt like a lifetime ago, overshadowed now by Julian’s threats and the terrifying certainty that things were escalating beyond her control.
But beneath the fear, something else flickered. For the first time, her creature had shown her exactly what he was capable of.