12. Ivy #2
He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he observes her while she mutters under her breath, grabs her bag from her feet, and moves two rows forward.
Dammit.
She glares at me the entire time. I want to argue my case and make it clear that this isn’t what I want, but the professor is insistent so I know it would be a waste of my breath.
With a heavy sigh, I clutch the strap of my bag tightly as I make my way to my newly assigned seat. Unfortunately, the easiest way to get there is to walk to the end of the aisle where Archer is and walk behind each one of them before finding my own seat.
One familiar scent after another fills my lungs as my pulse races in my ears, but I keep my gaze fixed forward, making sure I don’t accidentally make eye contact with any of them.
Taking my seat, I distance myself as much as possible from Teddy, acutely aware of how close he is, while I remain focused on staring dead ahead. But my gaze collides with Bonnie’s as she continues to openly glare at me, even while seated beside her fated mate.
I can’t decide whether I feel worse for him or for myself.
“Two times in one day. I’m starting to feel blessed.”
My gaze snaps to my right to find Silas slouched back in his seat on the opposite side of me from Teddy. I smile, startled, as he makes a show of raking his eyes over me.
Instincts have me wanting to excuse myself and brush him off, but I’m quickly reminded of Archer’s antics earlier, and I find myself leaning into my more petulant side.
“Silas, I’m starting to feel like I’m the one who is blessed,” I reply with a soft smile, lacing my fingers together on my desk as he grins, inching closer, as if he’s caught me in his spider web and he’s ready to make his move.
He glances past me for a split second, the air of mischief brightening in his eyes before he locks his gaze on mine. “What are your plans ton?—”
“Silas, would you care to share with the class who the leader of the first kingdom is?” Professor Grogan asks, his voice like ice as it cuts through the air, and I snap my attention to the front of the room.
He’s perched against his desk, hands folded in front of him as he cocks his head while Silas clears his throat.
“Mallen Ferris.”
I know the name, I’ve heard my father mention it a time or two, but I didn’t realize they are the leader of the first kingdom. Slumping back in my seat, I drop my hands to my lap, worrying my bottom lip as I try to process how uneducated a simple fact makes me feel.
What else don’t I know?
“Correct. And the second kingdom?” Grogan pushes, and Silas sighs.
“Leonardo Corrigan.”
I blink. That name isn’t even remotely familiar.
Why the hell don’t I know it?
I do my best to make myself invisible as Professor Grogan nods. “And what is Leonardo Corrigan famous for?”
Silas doesn’t answer immediately, and I half fill with hope that I’m not the only one out of my depth, even if just a little, but when I peer at him from the corner of my eye, I find him pursing his lips, agitation flashing in his eyes.
“He’s well-known for drowning a man on the spot with his own saliva,” Sax hollers, making my eyes widen as my gaze tears to him. He smiles at the professor before turning in my direction, but he looks right past me, his gaze settling on the person beside me as his grin turns… sinful.
It’s like he’s watching that act fall upon Silas, and he’s taking pleasure in it.
My skin heats, panic flooding my veins as I sink deeper into my chair, but it becomes clear that my attempt to vanish into the background has failed when I feel the press of soft lips against my right ear.
“Why do I get the feeling you wouldn’t need Leonardo’s help to choke on your own saliva? You’re helpless enough all on your own.”
My eyes narrow on Teddy as he moves back an inch, amusement dancing in his pale blue eyes.
“I’m sorry, Theodore, care to share with the class?” Silas grunts from the other side of me, and the familiar creaks and groans of furniture shifting under weight as everyone turns our way echo through the room.
Dammit.
Teddy’s grin is savage as he beams at me. “Care to share, Princess?” he asks, cocking a brow at me.
I hate him.
I freaking hate him.
I fucking hate all of them.
Damn, I need to curse more; it makes me feel better. However, what doesn’t make me feel better is the way he’s trying to manipulate me and make me stutter now that we have an audience, one we garnered through no fault of my own, but if he wants to play games like this, I can too.
My mother isn’t here. I can say and do whatever I please to defend myself. I need to remember that.
Plastering a sweet smile across my face, I force myself to sit up in my seat before I answer. But I don’t speak to him, I address the room.
“My apologies, Professor Gorgan. Theodore here was asking me, quite crudely, I might add, whether I felt it was possible or not to take his miniature penis in my mouth without choking. I have yet to respond, would you care for the answer?” I flutter my eyelashes, tilting my head as a burst of laughter ripples through the room.
My gaze flits from the professor’s to Bonnie’s, who sneers at me while her fated mate hides his grin behind flattened lips, but the amusement flickering in his eyes is undeniable.
“Thank you for that, Miss Hayworth, but I don’t feel an answer is required.”
Pleased with myself, I nod.
But my claim to victory is too soon.
“No, Professor Gorgan. I insist. An answer is necessary,” Teddy interjects, grabbing the leg of my chair and spinning me on the spot so we’re face to face.
Nausea churns in my gut as his stare burns deep into my soul, even more wicked than I thought possible.
“Tell us, Princess, will my miniature cock choke you?”
My cheeks heat, my chest heaving with short, sharp pants as the room sways.
I’m going to pass out.
That’s literally the worst thing that could happen.
Clearing my throat, I keep my smile locked in place as I fight against the desire to die.
“Theodore Lupus,” I breathe, my voice huskier than I remember, and he leans closer, planting his hand on my thigh as I speak.
He’s trying to get under my skin, and I refuse to allow it to happen.
They don’t get to hurt me like they did and get away with it.
“It’s safe to say we will never know the true answer to that question because I have pride and dignity, along with the worst allergy to the taste of betrayal.
It doesn’t belong on my tongue. Not now, not ever. ”