Chapter Nine
Looks like you’ve got a secret admirer too
“Fancy that,” I muttered with a mouthful.
It was just my luck to keep running into that man. The billionaire loaded his plate with meat and veggies, not that I particularly noticed. I definitely didn’t pay attention to his movements at all.
Nor did I notice his gray hairs shimmering in the chandelier light.
Or the way his lips tilted up when he saw all the non-noticing going on.
He eyed the empty chairs between us. “Mind if I move over there?”
Did I mind? I shrugged.
Rylan jumped up and then took the seat beside me. “We haven’t officially had the chance to introduce ourselves with the explosion yesterday and me running late to class this morning.”
I paused chewing on my noodles, trying not to melt in his intense stare. I felt like I already knew so much about him, but technically he was right.
Before magic, I didn’t pay much attention to the rich and famous. Piper was my world. If it didn’t involve her or making money to take care of us, I ignored it.
After magic, we were all glued to the news, and Rylan was constantly shown.
The man on the screen appeared very professional and businesslike.
He was also sometimes charismatic with a flashy smile that made every female reporter blush.
I had only just met this version in front of me, but he seemed more down-to-earth.
A tanned hand shot between us, and I eyed it while finishing up my bite.
“I’m Rylan.”
I placed my hand in his and shook it once. “Temperance.”
Our hands dropped, and Rylan started chatting me up while eating. “Where are you from?”
“Western North Carolina.” I poured a cup of tea and asked the same question. I had no reason to be rude. Plus, he saved me from an exploding student.
“Massachusetts.”
I was about to ask if he was a masshole when Remy sat across from us with a bowl of soup.
“Rylan,” she greeted the billionaire who gave her a soft smile.
“Remy, good to see you again.”
My head shifted back and forth between them. “You know my roommate?”
How? Did they sleep together?
He looks like he’d be good in bed. Did I care?
Rylan swallowed his food as he faced me and then lifted his fork in her direction. She raised an eyebrow before shaking her head like she found the man amusing.
“Remy went to space and fixed one of my satellites last year. We frequent the same tech circles,” he said and then laughed.
Space?
Like in outer space?
I mean, I knew she was smart, but damn.
“Hell, your room is probably more secure than mine,” he continued. He popped a steamed carrot into his mouth while Remy shrugged. “She designed the security for the castle.”
I set my fork down and let the information sink in while sipping on hot tea. Remy was an astronaut and designed the security for the castle? Color me impressed.
My seemingly accomplished roommate watched me process the information, perhaps seeing if I’d freak out or not. When I remained calm, but obviously curious for more information, she spoke up.
“It is more secure.” Her eyebrow arched. “So, are you two going to become a thing?”
I spit my tea all over my plate.
Rylan laughed and grabbed some napkins for me. Remy carried on with her soup like she didn’t just ask that. I coughed over and over while trying to soak up the tea with a napkin.
“I just met him,” I rasped out.
“Uh huh.” Remy eyed him until he thankfully changed the subject by asking her something about the security system. Admittedly, I zoned out.
It was literally day one of school. The man was hot and had a beautiful smile. But he could be a crazy person for all I knew. I didn’t want him to think I was flirting or interested in him because of who he was: the billionaire.
Presumptuous? Maybe, but I acknowledged my lack of socializing skills when I decided to come to the castle.
Then, a carrot cake appeared before us, and all thoughts drained out of my brain as the sweet scents of cinnamon and buttercream hit my nostrils. I heard Remy say something about other tables not having cake and didn’t care.
My mouth watered, and Rylan noticed.
“Is carrot cake your favorite?”
I nodded and grabbed a clean plate so I wouldn’t mix alfredo sauce with my dessert.
Rylan chuckled. “You must have a secret admirer then.”
With the cake on a fork, inches away from my mouth, I paused to look around. After seeing no one watching me for my reaction, I ate the cake and groaned.
“You and the cake want some alone time in the room tonight?” Remy asked with a hint of a smile.
I rolled my eyes at her and forked another bite into my mouth.
Rylan finished his meal and watched me eat my cake with a smirk, as if he thought of something funny, yet kept it to himself.
“What?”
Without taking his eyes off me, he answered, “You’re cute.”
Magic shot up my spine and fizzled like a shaken soda pop.
Please don’t be glowing. Please don’t be glowing.
Remy narrowed her eyes at us, and my stomach sank.
I was glowing, wasn’t I? I couldn’t look.
“Rylan, your mouth is black.”
What? I faced him and blinked.
His eyebrows pinched together before his hands shot up to rub his black teeth. We watched as nothing came off onto his fingers with frowning expressions. That wasn’t good.
“It’s like you drank a bottle of ink or something. I’ll grab a spray bottle for—” I jumped up to get one of the “in case of emergency” spritzer bottles when Rylan produced a small vial from his pocket.
He drank the contents, and within seconds the inky black coating on his teeth disappeared. The billionaire sucked in a breath, then looked around the dining hall and his empty plate.
“Looks like you’ve got a secret admirer too,” Remy said to Rylan.
That sinking feeling in my stomach came back. I didn’t think that was an attempt on Rylan’s life, but the fact that he had a stash of power nullifier in his pocket had me questioning things.
Rylan set the empty vial on the counter, then flattened a hand against his stomach. “Remy, I think we need to increase security.”