Chapter 28 Rune
rune
. . .
My heels clicked against the glossy stone floor of Apex Nexus as I walked with all six of my fated mates flanking me.
Slater snickered as Drecken adjusted his cuffs. “I still can’t believe you’re actually here.”
Drecken rolled his eyes and tucked a curl behind his ear. “I’m here as a former professor, Slater,” he told him dryly. “Meaning I technically belong in this building. Besides, it’s pretty easy to stroll through the doors when you’re mated to the headmaster’s daughter.”
Slater’s lips crooked into that smug grin that always made my heart flutter. “Ah, so even the great Drecken Grimsworn has to rely on connections.”
“At least I have connections.” He rolled his eyes.
Slater gasped. “I have connections!”
I smoothed the gown Slater had bought for me. It was black, floor-length, and shimmering with scattered crystal flecks that looked like stars stitched into fabric. A high slit showed most of my left thigh, and the low back dipped to the base of my spine.
I would never understand how Slater picked the perfect look for me every time, but I loved that he did.
Koa stared openly. “You look like walking starlight.”
“Slater picked it,” I reminded him.
Slater tugged gently on my hand. “It’s the stars, venom baby. They belong on you.”
“As usual, the chaos demon nails our mate’s dress,” Zuko teased.
The doors opened into the main auditorium, and my eyebrows rose in surprise.
The fourth years were in charge of decorating for the formal event, and I had to admit that this was the most elegant I’d ever seen it.
It had become an ethereal ballroom, shimmering with layered enchantments and more fae orbs that drifted overhead, glowing like miniature moons.
Ribbons of illusion-magic unfurled around the vaulted ceiling, weaving constellations made of pure magic, shifting slowly like real stars.
Tables of black marble and white stone ringed the room, piled up with finger foods.
“The fourth-years outdid themselves,” Drecken murmured, pointing at the illusions above. “I taught them that illusion.”
“Aw,” I cooed, kissing his cheek. “The illusions are stunning.”
Eight house banners were draped above the stage: Twilight, Fortitude, Arcane, Innovation, Intellect, Torment, Unity, and Vitality.
First years weren’t allowed to attend this event.
It was tradition.
Students from every house mingled among the tables, laughing in gowns and formal suits.
My mates spread around me in a loose formation that was protective but casual and not too obvious. Their scents wound through the air, making me feel safer than ever before.
Music drifted from enchanted instruments that played soft violins with hints of a fae flute, a low thrumming bass, and something magical woven within it like a siren’s humming.
Dimitri caught my hand and tugged me gently. “May I?”
“Yes,” I murmured.
“Aw, no fair.” Slater pouted.
“We will all have our time with her,” Jesper told him.
Dimitri swept me onto the dance floor, one arm sliding around my waist in a way that made heat coil in my lower abdomen.
Cinnamon and nutmeg wrapped around me. My midnight orchid scent curled around his, and they were forever intertwined.
His scent always made me think of stolen kisses and the taste of my blood on his tongue.
The lights were dimmed just enough to feel intimate, and the air vibrated with the music.
He pulled me close with one hand resting on my waist and the other holding my hand delicately. “You look alluring in the best way, as much as I hate to admit that Slater can really choose your gowns perfectly.”
His black suit was perfectly fitted, and the blood-red tie drew out the crimson glow in his eyes. He’d pulled his coiled black hair into a low ponytail, leaving the snowy white patch on the left side of his head fully visible.
Every time I saw that patch, my heart did a soft little flutter.
The matebond hummed in contentment.
Dimitri Nocturnus was my vampire.
The tattoos on his wrists—the script words of trust and art—peeked out whenever he swayed. My mark covered the place where that siren bitch had once scarred him.
He noticed me staring at him and raised an eyebrow. “What are you looking at, lethal darling?”
“You’re pretty,” I blurted.
He smirked. “Oh?”
“You look like someone I would trust with my blood,” I teased.
“You already do.” He leaned in, and his lips brushed the mark he’d given me, right at the base of my neck. A sharp sting bloomed over it as his fang sliced over it gently. His venom pulsed warmly into my bloodstream. Not enough to fully affect me, but enough to turn me on.
My knees nearly buckled.
“Dimitri,” I hissed.
“I remember a time when you would beg for my venom.” He smirked against my skin. “Is it good?”
My lips twisted into an amused smirk. “Very.”
We swayed, spun, and I realized that my vampire wasn’t just a fantastic spy. He was wickedly elegant at dancing.
“Let me guess,” I said breathlessly. “Forced childhood ballroom lessons?”
He grimaced. “My parents insisted. They believed refinement was essential for vampire nobility.”
I squeezed his hand tighter. “Your dancing is beautiful. So, it was worth it, yes?”
He leaned closer. “If everything I learned prepared me to hold you like this, then yes. It was worth it.”
My heart clenched as love flooded our bond.
“Hold on to me, Rune.”
I dug my fingers into his jacket.
“When this event ends,” he murmured, “I want to play the piano for you.”
“I’d love that.” I swallowed the lust burning up my throat. “I’ve never actually heard you play, overachiever.”
His red eyes darkened. “I intend to impress you.”
“I’m already impressed.” I leaned in and kissed his lips quickly.
A hand tapped Dimitri’s shoulder, pulling us out of our moment.
“My turn,” Drecken said simply.
Dimitri released me with a dramatic flourish. “Try not to break her toes, researcher.”
Drecken scowled, then turned to me. “Rune. Full disclosure for you, I never learned to dance. You will have to lead.”
“You’re doing great already,” I teased.
“I haven’t moved yet.”
Dimitri let out a little snort of amusement as he stepped away.
Drecken wore a dark blue suit that made his bright blue eyes pop.
His asymmetrical green hair was long on one side, shorter on the other, but it had been styled beautifully.
The curls were glossy and smooth. He’d added small star-shaped earrings that sparkled when he moved, and it did something to me.
“Come here, spell daddy,” I beckoned him.
He choked on air.
I grinned and tugged him toward a less crowded area of the floor. “Put your hands here.” I grabbed his stiff hands and placed them on my waist. “Now, just follow my lead.”
We started to sway, but he immediately stepped on my foot.
Hard.
“Ow—” I winced.
His eyes widened in horror. “Rune, viperling, I’m—”
“It’s okay,” I giggled, grabbing both his hands. “Here. Put your feet on mine.”
“…That seems structurally unsound.”
“Trust me.”
“I could ruin your heels.”
“Drecken, you can fix them if you do. I’m a basilisk, okay? Trust me.”
He looked at me for a long while before he stepped carefully onto my feet.
I started to move, guiding him in slow circles. “Better?”
We glided together, his weight easily manageable with my basilisk strength.
His forehead rested against mine, and his cheeks were faintly pink. His magic sparked unintentionally, releasing tiny glowing particles around us.
“This is ridiculous,” he muttered.
“It’s adorable,” I corrected with a soft giggle.
He shot me a glare, but it softened quickly. “I brewed something for you.”
“A potion?”
“I finally perfected it.” He reached into his suit pocket and presented a small vial filled with shimmering rose-gold liquid. “It’s the potion I’ve never quite given up on. It’s one that replicates my first impression of you, which, looking back, I am sure was love at first sight.”
My breath caught. “You finished it?”
“Yes. I wanted you to truly feel what I felt.”
My heart flipped. “Drecken…”
“Try it, viperling.”
I uncorked it and downed it instantly.
A tidal wave of warmth and affection slammed through me and radiated out to all six matebonds. It was so intense that I gasped.
Drecken gently stepped off my feet, his magic cleaning the scuffs off the material. “Do you feel it?”
My mates all stiffened across the room, heads snapping toward us. Jesper, Dimitri, Zuko, Koa, and Slater closed in around me and Drecken in a possessive circle.
Slater groaned. “Oh Fates, whatever he gave you, I want some. I felt this the moment I saw you at the entrance exams.”
“That’s what I felt when you first stabbed me,” Zuko said softly.
Koa blushed. “I felt that way the first time you saw me die and witnessed my rebirth.”
Jesper’s brown eyes were wide. “Drecken, what did you…I felt this when I saw Rune in her mom’s office for the first time.”
“I felt this way when you were begging your brother to get me to let you try my venom during entrance exams…” Dimitri blushed.
Drecken looked smug. “Success.”
Dad’s voice boomed from across the hall. “Rune and her mates, maintain public decency, please.”
Tobias added, “Don’t have an orgy at the formal event, idiots!”
Gasping, I whirled on him between Cora, Nym, and Sylver. “Says you!”
Tobias rolled his eyes. “You ready for the House Gauntlet?”
I smirked. “I’m totally going to beat you, Tibby. Just you wait.”
He barked a laugh. “Good luck, Roo. You’re going to need it.”
Drecken winked at the rest of my mates. “I’ll make you all a potion to try firsthand later.”
Jesper moved to my side, warm hand brushing my arm. “I’m not technically off tonight,” he whispered. “I’m on the event’s security detail, but since there are thirty other agents stationed, I can sneak in a few dances.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” My tongue darted out to wet my bottom lip.