Chapter 8 Dimitri
dimitri
. . .
My bloodlust had stayed dormant ever since the bond snapped in place with Rune. For the first time in my life, silence didn’t feel like a void. It felt like Rune. The matebond thrummed under my skin, like an invisible thread pulled taut and steady, anchoring me to her heartbeat down the hall.
It had been five days since she’d been back, and I still found myself waking at night just to listen for her heartbeat.
Last night was the first night we didn’t all sleep in Rune’s room, but that wasn’t our choice. Our house head had cracked down on the ‘no sleeping over policy.’
I found it to be bullshit, but I couldn’t argue with policy. I had the rest of my life to sleep next to her after all.
Slater had texted me a step-by-step guide on how to make Rune a poisoned tea after I’d asked him. That was what I’d been doing this morning, making her the poisoned tea she liked with trace toxin herbs. I’d made it in her favorite mug.
It was quiet this early as the first light of dawn broke through the windows of House of Twilight.
I knocked lightly on Rune’s door before slipping inside. Apparently, the doors were able to be unlocked by the one assigned to the room and their bonded mates, so that made things a lot easier.
She was tangled in the sheets, green hair messy, one bare leg kicked free, and…completely naked. The faint shimmer of the marks along her skin caught the sunlight, each mark pulsing with its own rhythm.
My fangs ached, but it wasn’t hunger. It was need.
Her chest rose and fell in slow, even breaths. I could feel how content her dreams were through the bond.
“Rune,” I called softly, feeling my cock lengthen at the sight of her.
Watching her and Slater, and her and Zuko, have sex in front of us had kept me constantly hard.
I couldn’t wait to be with my mate properly.
She stirred, mumbling something incoherent, before rolling a few times until she abandoned the bed and hit the ground, the sheets wrapping around her like a dress. “Mmf.”
“We have class today,” I chuckled, bending down and brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Her lashes fluttered, and she smiled sleepily, totally unaware she’d rolled off the bed. “Five more minutes.”
I leaned down and kissed her forehead, then her lips. “Not happening.”
She opened one pretty golden eye. “Entice me.”
“I brought tea,” I offered, holding up the mug. “Slater told me how to make it.”
Her grin widened. “Better.”
I handed it to her and sat at the edge of the bed, watching as she got to her feet, the sheets dropping to the floor.
My fangs sliced through my bottom lip as my gaze raked over her naked body in a way that probably made me look bad.
I couldn’t help it. Call it instinct, but she was my mate. I’d watched her with others before I’d been with her.
I ached for her.
She groaned, licking her lips as she looked at me. “Way too much poison. Just the way I like it. Thanks, overachiever.”
The sight of her and our matebond pulsing faintly between us hit me harder than I expected.
She set the mug down, having already drunk it all, and tilted her head. “You’re staring.”
“Not enough,” I murmured, handing her the academy-issued suit.
“I can tell.” She pointedly stared at my erection as she slid the suit over her body. “Hopefully we can have some time together soon.”
Even with her dressed, my dick strained painfully against the suit.
“We will make time today. I’m determined.” I leaned in to kiss her, and a bright flash cut through the room.
Rune flinched, pulling back. “What was that?”
I turned sharply, eyes narrowing toward the now-open doorway. I’d left the door slightly ajar, but it hadn’t been wide-open like that.
Brynn stood there, holding up her phone, expression blankly innocent. “Just wanted a photo of the returnee. Welcome back, basilisk.”
“Thanks, vampire. Send the photo of Dimitri kissing me to me,” Rune said sweetly. “I also didn’t peg you as a creep. Dimitri can see me naked, but you can’t.”
Brynn huffed. “I wasn’t—”
“Let me see your phone.” I blurred in front of her, hand out. “I want to make sure you didn’t take a photo of her naked.”
“I’m not a creep, you know. She’s fully clothed.” Brynn’s nose scrunched up, but she handed her phone over, open to the photo she just took of Rune and I kissing.
I checked her photos app, disgust curling in my gut at the naked photos of herself on it. My erection from Rune had deflated.
After ensuring that Brynn had taken none of Rune while she was naked, I quickly sent the photo she took of us to both Rune and I before handing it back to her.
She took the phone with a slight smirk. “Did you like what you saw?”
“Of Rune and I? Yes. Of you? I’m disgusted,” I hissed.
Her expression dropped, and she turned and left without another word.
“She had naked photos on her phone, didn’t she?” Rune crossed her arms.
“Unfortunately so.” I didn’t bother to hide my expression of revulsion.
“Figured. Your boner dropped immediately.” Rune exhaled, coming over and wrapping her arms around my neck. “She’s getting on my nerves.”
“You’re not the only one feeling that way,” I muttered, though an uneasy prickle began under my skin.
“You’re only allowed to look at me naked,” she pouted.
I kissed her soft lips, running my hands over her hips and gently squeezing her ass, pressing her into my hardening dick again.
She moaned, her tongue sliding against mine as her hands entangled in my hair.
I kissed her until an alarm on our phones screeched out, and we had to leave. I’d wanted nothing more than to seal our bond properly, but until we had the time and were completely alone, I couldn’t bring myself to.
She deserved the best, and I would make sure that she got it.
By the time we stepped out of the house to wait for the others, the academy was brimming with supernaturals. Only supernaturals. Just how it should’ve always been.
Agents-to-be swarmed in class clusters, and the end-of-summer air carried hints of late-blooming flowers.
Ominous and Cora stepped out from behind us.
Cora darted toward Rune, long blonde hair fanning behind her as she threw her arms around my mate.
“You’re actually back!” she squealed. “We were so worried.”
Ominous grinned. “You missed one hell of a week. Your mates were destructive.”
“As we should’ve been,” I said dryly.
Rune laughed, hugging Cora back. “I’m okay. I missed being here. The humans weren’t friendly, but I gained some advantages while there.”
“Tobias told me.” Cora winked at her as she pulled away.
Zara paused as she stepped out, giving Rune a rare smile. “It’s good that you’re back.”
Seth stepped out behind her, his gaze finding Rune next. “Class wasn’t as fun without you making Jarvins twitch.”
“I’m glad to be back.” Rune grinned, warmth blooming on her face.
I felt the joy through the bond, and it made my heart clench.
Brynn was the last to come out, a twisted scowl on her face. “Ready to leave?”
Cora leaned in again. “You should’ve seen Tobias. He was a wreck the day you went missing.”
Rune blushed faintly. “He’s my brother. Of course he’d be lost without me to keep him on his toes.”
Jesper landed lightly in front of the gate as we started toward the academy, his dragon form dissipated so high in the air I hadn’t noticed him coming.
He strode for us and kissed Rune’s cheek. “Darian’s case is closed.”
Rune’s eyes widened. “What was the verdict?”
“He was found guilty,” Jesper said, voice grave. “He was supposed to be transferred to the Council’s prison, but he’s gone. Aunt Maelis hasn’t seen him either.”
Her eyes darkened. “Gone?”
“Vanished,” Jesper confirmed. “Just be careful, honey drop.”
“Once again, he fucking disappears.” She smiled tightly. “I promise I’ll be careful.”
“I’ll watch out for her, too,” I told him.
“We all have to.” He kissed Rune one more time before we left for the House of Twilight’s classroom.
As soon as Jarvins saw Rune, he gave her a nod. “Welcome back. I expect you to make up for lost time.”
Rune smirked. “I absolutely plan to.”
“Fantastic. Today, in Silent Deaths, we will discuss clean-up in detail. But first, I want to give notice that since the first week of year three is over, you will officially be placed with your mentors for shadowing. I’ve put you with squads who have missions that start tomorrow.
I will introduce you to your mentors then.
You will be split up among different squads with spy mentors.
There are usually two spies per squad. Sometimes more and sometimes less. ”
Excitement spiked through me. I’d been wanting to get out there and make a difference. Year three was the perfect chance to do so.
I just hoped I’d be placed with Rune.
Jarvins lectured us about clean-up protocols after we made a kill, and after he was done, he dismissed us.
Rune and I went back to the house long enough to change out of our suits and into something more comfortable with our pins.
We made our way to the library, deciding to study on our own tonight. The group chat had been filled with arguments, but I’d won time alone with her since we hadn’t had time to enjoy our new bond. Koa was next, and then Slater would have his turn.
The fae orbs were dim, and the air was heavy with parchment and magic.
Rune slid into one of the farthest alcoves, the kind the cameras didn’t reach. Slater had confirmed it himself, and that was why our group had always chosen to study here when we were at the library.
We were supposed to be studying now. Instead, I found myself watching the pulse of her throat and the gleam of Koa’s phoenix mark above her collarbone.
She tilted her head, golden eyes flicking up to mine. “You’re staring again.”
“I can’t help it, Rune.” I leaned in until my lips met hers.
It started slow. Our lips moved, carefully and exploratory, but we didn’t stay that way.
My tongue slid past her lips, and hers tangled with mine.
Her venom sparked against my tongue, an aphrodisiac mixing with the faint taste of her blood from her tongue flicking against my fang and splitting it open.
My restraint cracked.
With a blur, I had her pressed into the corner of the bookshelves. Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling slightly as she moaned into my mouth.
I moved my lips away from hers and kissed down her jaw to her neck, where my mark was, and sank my fangs into it.
She gasped, arching into me, her desire flooding through our bond.
My hands found her waist, then her hips, and went under her shirt to her skin. I trailed up her stomach and palmed her breast, my thumb rubbing her nipple.
Her moan echoed softly before my free hand clamped over her mouth to keep her quiet. Thank Fates we were one of the only ones on this floor. Her blood coated my tongue as I took a couple of gulps, pushing my venom into her.
When I pulled back, I let go of her mouth and licked her skin clean until it healed. “Shh, lethal darling. We’re in a library. Can you be quiet?”
She nodded, a delirious smile on her lips. “I can be whatever you need me to be.”
When the bond flared again, I thought what little restraint I held onto would definitely shatter.
“Are you sure you want our first time to be in the library?” I asked, hooking my fingers in the band of her sweats. “I wanted to make it more special, but not having you is killing me.”
“Fates, Dimitri, I swear if you don’t ease the effects of your venom, right now, I’m going to—oh!”
I pulled her sweats down, helping her step out of one leg, and I hooked it around my hips.
I took out my painfully hard cock. “I’m not leaving you this time, Rune.”
Her gaze dropped to it, and her arousal spiked. “Please. I need you so badly.”
“I should’ve done this the first time I bit you,” I whispered, pushing into her inch by inch until I filled her completely.
She moaned, “Dimitri!”
I put my hand over her mouth again. “Shh, remember?”
She stiffened, but her pussy throbbed around me. “Sorry,” she said, muffled. “But please, move.”
I started to thrust into her, drunk on her blood and bond. My hips snapped against hers as I continued to pound inside of her. She sucked me in with every single thrust. She was warm, wet, and felt like home.
Wet sounds filled this corner of the library as I buried myself inside my fated with every stroke.
Her moans got harder to muffle until her body spasmed around me. Her fangs sank into my hand as she tried to control her scream.
Her orgasm rippled through the bond.
Aphrodisiac poured through me from her skin leaking venom, sending me over the edge. My vision burst as I moved in and out of her.
Pleasure surged through the bond over and over again as she came.
Her pussy strangled my cock, and I couldn’t help but lose myself with one last rock of my hips.
Somewhere in the throes of ecstasy, a blinding light went off, but I figured it was the immense pleasure thrumming between us to be anything of note. Even if it were something else, I didn’t care. She made me see stars, and I was addicted to her.
She giggled. “Best study session ever.”
I hurried to pull her sweats back over her and put my dick back in my pants before anyone came to see what those sounds were. “Of course you would say that.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” She smiled up at me, fully-sated. “I had great orgasms, and I’ve never felt so happy and buzzing after one of your bites before. The effects didn’t last as long as usual. Oh, Fates, am I building an immunity?” Horror crossed her expression.
“I don’t think so,” I assured her. “It’s because I helped ease my venom’s effects,” I said, guilt swelling inside of me. “Slater helped you before. While someone who didn’t bite the infected can ease the effects, it takes a lot more effort than it would for the one who did the biting.”
“Oh, good.” Relief swept over her. “Can we study in bed?” Rune asked, a sleepy yawn pulling from her.
“Sure.” I shook my head in amusement as I helped gather our belongings, and we started for the exit. “We should’ve just stayed in your room with the big bed.”
“We could’ve,” she agreed with a smirk. “But this was more exciting.”
Brynn was waiting near the exit. She smirked, falling into step beside us. “Enjoy your study session?”
Rune didn’t even glance her way. “Immensely.”
We ignored her the entire way to the house, and I didn’t even care that she followed because I would be wrapped up in my mate tonight.