Ivy
The four walls that hold me captive are driving me insane. Frustration claws inside of me as I fold my arms, leaning against the windowsill, while I stare off into the distance, plotting my escape.
Nothing good or worthwhile comes to mind, but I can at least figure out where I am on campus now that I can see it in the daylight.
The main academy building stands tall in the distance to my left, and the dorm buildings are off to the right, with the cliffs straight ahead, almost offering a view of the water beyond the shoreline.
All while I remain cooped up in the medical center.
The sun glows this morning, beckoning me outside. I glance over my shoulder, hoping to find the rest of the room sleeping, but to my dismay, there is no chance of me sneaking out undetected when Mr. Man Bun peers at me with a level of intensity I can’t handle at this time of the day.
Pursing my lips, I return my stare to the window, imagining what it would feel like to have the sun on my skin instead of being stuck in here while the rest of my fated mates sleep.
Archer is sprawled out in my bed, while the others are curled up in their chairs. I wish I could join them, but I’m fed up with dreaming. It’s exhausting. It’s like my brain is alive in ways I can’t comprehend, and I’m not resting regardless.
Pressing my fingertips into my temples, I try to come up with a solution, but I’m quickly distracted by the sound of voices coming from the hallway.
It’s the most life I’ve heard in the medical center.
With my interest piqued, I glance over my shoulder at the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of something, anything, but nothing comes into view.
As if sensing my curiosity, though, the voices rise, and the energy bleeds hostility, even from here.
My eyes dart to Mr. Man Bun, who sits tall in his seat, his eyebrows furrowing with the same air of inquisitiveness, when Archer darts up in the bed.
“Who the fuck is that?” he grunts, dragging a hand down his face, and I shrug, too busy trying to hear what they’re saying. “Baron?” he asks, tilting his face toward Mr. Man Bun, who shrugs.
Baron?
That suits him.
“It’s Professor Viola and…” The door swings open, revealing my brother on the other side. “Hugo.”
My brother’s eyes land on mine, confusion lingering across his features as he glances between the bed and me, but I wave him off as I scurry toward him, wrapping my arms around his middle as he pulls me into his warm embrace.
“What are you doing out of bed, Vee?” he mumbles into my hair, and I sigh.
“Trying not to lose my mind,” I admit, and he scoffs.
I lean back, and he does the same, shifting his hands to my arms as he peers down at me.
“You’re looking a little better,” he mumbles as I take a second to look him over too.
“The same can’t be said about you,” I admit, earning a scoff from someone behind me as my brother rolls his eyes.
His hair is messy, his eyes lined with restlessness, while his eyelids hang at half-mast. The man is tired, and his crumpled clothes look like they’ve seen better days.
“How about we all head home. The medical center is a little overkill now if I’m honest,” I state, rocking back on my heels as I blink up at him, offering my best smile as he sighs.
“Vee,” he starts, and I already know there’s rejection on his tongue, but movement over his shoulder catches my attention as a woman stands in the threshold of my doorway.
I drop my hands from my brother as I peer to my left, curious about the new arrival, but when Hugo sees where my attention has gone, he spins on the spot, standing protectively between the new arrival and me.
“Hugo?” I whisper in confusion as Baron shifts by the door, offering another layer of defense between us, and it makes my back stiffen.
The lady clears her throat, offering me a calm and warm smile. “Ivy, I’m glad to see you’re awake. I hear your memory hasn’t quite returned yet, but I’m more than happy to reintroduce myself. My name is Professor Viola, and I’m the head of Neverbound Academy.”
I gape in surprise as I nod in understanding before guilt quickly twists in my gut.
Clearing my throat, I run my hands over the hospital-issued gown I’m wearing.
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember,” I admit, trying to shake off the shame that immediately floods my veins.
“But I appreciate you taking the time and effort to come and visit me. It means a lot.”
“It doesn’t,” Hugo interjects, and I balk at his words as I glare at him.
“Hugo,” I warn, and he shakes his head, but before he can speak, Professor Viola takes another step into the room, waving her hand dismissively.
“It’s okay, Ivy. Your brother is concerned for you, but it’s my job to know and understand everyone’s powers here at Neverbound Academy, and with that comes the role of ensuring I put the right people in the right places.”
I stare at her blankly. “I don’t know what that means.” An air of unease ripples over me, and I instinctively reach for my brother, curling my fingers into the back of his t-shirt.
“It means she wants to exploit you,” Baron states from his position by the door, and Viola immediately shakes her head.
“I don’t want to exploit you,” she insists, turning back to me. “I want to make sure you’re recovering well and discuss your abilities. Your power is beyond notable. It’s impossible for us to deny it. You will be a great asset to this academy, the entire kingdom, and our council.”
“We’re not discussing the council right now,” Hugo bites, hands coiling into fists at his sides, and Viola sighs.
“When will we be discussing it then, Hugo? I’ve waited—”
“When she’s ready,” Archer answers, and my pulse quickens.
“And when might that be?” Professor Viola returns, her attention slipping to the man currently occupying my bed.
I follow her line of sight just in time to see him shrug. “Whenever she says so.”
Her lips pinch as she glances back at me, the tension thickening in the air as she clears her throat.
“I’m pleased to see you doing well, Ivy.
I look forward to you returning to classes.
” Her gaze shifts to my brother. “Challenging power is always encouraged at Neverbound Academy and throughout the entirety of the Fifth Kingdom, but remember your place, Mr. Hayworth.”
The warning is clear as she spins on her heels and darts for the door, taking some of the tension with her, but there’s still an air of trepidation in her wake.
My brother’s shoulders sag with relief as he dips his head, while Baron kicks the door shut from his seat, enclosing the six of us as I try to wrap my head around what on earth just happened.
Hugo inhales slowly, before exhaling and turning to face me. The smile on his face is genuine, catching me off guard as he looks me over once more. “How are you feeling this morning? Any improvements?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” I admit, a hint of defeat in my tone.
“It will come to you, Princess. We have to be patient.”
Tilting my head toward the sound, I come face to face with Mr. Blondie. Princess? There’s something about that nickname that feels…familiar.
“What did you call me?” I whisper, desperate to chase that feeling in my chest again, and he grins.
“Princess.”
I rub my lips together, trying to place it, but it doesn’t come. My shoulders sag when I give up, but he reaches out to grab my arms with a warm smile on his face.
“It’s okay. It’ll come to you. Then you’ll remember I’m your favorite,” he adds with a wink, pulling me into his embrace, and I stiffen as the familiar scent of ocean mist wraps around me.
I press my nose into his t-shirt, inhaling sharply as his hand ghosts down my spine.
“Please tell me I smell familiar and not of shit, Princess,” he grumbles, and I snicker, embracing the pool of hope in my gut as I tilt my head to look up at him.
“Familiar,” I admit, and his grin spreads wider. The air feels lighter, and I lean into the playfulness surrounding him. “Who’s to say you’re my favorite anyway? Maybe it’s Baron.”
The fourth fated mate, seated beside the man in question, looking just like him but with cropped hair and different colored eyes, scoffs. It jerks my attention toward him, but also quickly cuts through the calmness in the air, making my eyebrows pinch in confusion.
“What am I missing?” I ask, slowly glancing around the room, and when no one gives me an answer, I jolt out of Mr. Blondie’s hold, wrapping my arms around myself protectively.
Archer purses his lips while Mr. Blondie dips his gaze, avoiding eye contact. Baron remains as gruff and distant as he has been this entire time, comfortable in his seat by the door, while my fourth mate leans forward on his elbows, glancing at his laced fingers.
I move on instinct, shuffling back to the bed to stand before Archer. With my hands held out, he knows what I want. I expect him to decline, to give me some ridiculous excuse, but to my surprise, he holds his hands out willingly.
“Is there something I don’t know?” I ask, pressing my palms against his.
“Yes.”
Heat greets me.
Truth.
“Am I going to be pissed when I remember?” I push, the temperature seeming to increase.
“Yes.”
Truth.
Irritation flares inside of me, but I can’t make sense of any of it. I’m here with my brother and my four fated mates. Why would I feel like that?
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Yes.”
Ice.
False.
My lips part, ready to express my frustration, when my spine stiffens, locking my muscles in place as my head jolts back, tilting my face to the ceiling, but I don’t see it.
Not when my vision is alive on the back of my eyelids instead.
My face tingles with heat, my bones groaning with an invisible weight as I sway on the spot.
Memories flood me.
One after the other.
Drowning me in pain and anguish as I recall my mating ceremony and the six-letter word that will forever haunt me.
Reject.