Chapter 12
TWELVE
Jupiter
I left the training room without another word. I needed to clear my head, so I texted Lydia.
L: Meet you at the east trail. Bring water. It’s hot as balls today.
Twenty minutes later, I was lacing up my running shoes at the trailhead where Lydia was already stretching, her dark curls pulled into a messy bun. The moment she saw me, her expression shifted to concern.
“You look like shit, Jupe.”
“Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear right now.”
We set off at an easy pace, the forest path soft beneath our feet.
The academy grounds extended far into these woods, but the wards kept us safe from anything lurking beyond, especially humans who might wander too far out here.
Birds chirped overhead and sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled patterns on the trail.
It felt normal, which was exactly what I needed.
“So,” Lydia said after we’d settled into a flow state, “I heard about what happened yesterday.”
I groaned. “Of course you did. The whole damn academy probably knows by now.”
“That Lyssa girl is a piece of work. I almost punched her myself when I heard what she said.”
“I should have,” I muttered. “But that would’ve just confirmed everyone’s suspicions that I’m some kind of unhinged freak.”
We rounded a bend in the trail, our footfalls synchronizing naturally.
“I need some advice,” Lydia said, changing the subject, “I’ve been spending more time with Rafe.”
“Rafe? The leader of the Dreadwatch Shield?” I raised my eyebrows.
She smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. “He’s not so bad once you get to know him. Actually, he’s really interesting. Did you know he specializes in ancient zodiac texts?”
“Fascinating,” I said dryly. “And the fact that he’s built like a Greek god has nothing to do with your interest?”
“I mean, it doesn’t hurt.” She laughed. “But seriously, I think our magic might be compatible. When we train together, there’s this... resonance. It’s hard to explain.”
“That’s a good sign,” I said. “Have you met the rest of his shield?”
Her pace slowed slightly. “Yeah, so that’s where your advice would come in super clutch right now. Most of them seem great, but there’s this woman, Valeria. She’s territorial.”
“Territorial how?”
“Like she thinks she has some kind of claim on all of them. She’s not an axis, but a shield warrior, so she already has a bond with them. Whenever I’m around, she makes these little snide comments, touches Rafe’s arm, and stands too close.”
We jogged in silence for a moment while I considered this. The path narrowed, forcing us to run single-file until it widened again.
“Shields already share bond mates. Would it be so hard to share another woman? You’re bi anyway so it’s not like it’s out of the realm of possibility.”
She snorted. “I don’t think she feels the same way. She seems very male centered, and she’s never had a legitimate challenge for their attention. Which sucks because she’s pretty hot, and I wouldn’t have been opposed to it.”
“Exactly. See? You just need to break her down. Maybe spend some time with just her and see if maybe there’s something there.
You’re sexy as fuck, so she probably doesn’t stand a chance.
If you and Rafe have genuine compatibility, then I think it’s at least worth trying.
The worst she can do is tell you to fuck off.
It’s not like there aren’t a dozen other shields who would salivate at the thought of bonding with you. ”
She laughed. “Maybe.” Lydia didn’t sound convinced. “But what if she makes things difficult? What if the rest of the shield chooses her side?”
“Then they’re not the right shield for you,” I said simply. “A true bond has to be mutual. All parties involved have to want it. Otherwise, it becomes... well, exactly what I’m dealing with right now.”
The sound of running water reached us, and we slowed as the path opened to a small clearing with a stream cutting through it.
By silent agreement, we stopped, both of us breathing hard from the exertion.
I knelt by the stream, splashing cool water on my face and the back of my neck.
Lydia joined me, groaning at the coolness on her skin.
“You really think I should keep pursuing this with Rafe?” she asked after a moment.
“I think you should trust your instincts. If it feels right with him, don’t let someone else’s jealousy get in the way. But make sure the whole shield is on board before you commit to anything. Don’t step on any toes if you don’t have to.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful. “How are you really doing with all this?”
I sighed, trailing my fingers through the cool water. “Honestly? I don’t even know. One minute I’m dying in a cave, and the next I’ve got four guys in my head all the time. I never wanted this. Not like this anyway. Now I’m stuck with four men who didn’t want me either.”
Lydia winced. “That’s rough.”
“The worst part is—” I hesitated, splashing more water on my face to hide the emotions I knew were showing through.
But this was Lydia, she would understand.
“The worst part is I feel guilty for being frustrated. They saved my life. I should be grateful. But instead, I’m angry that this choice was taken from all of us. ”
“You’re allowed to feel that way, Jupe. Gratitude and frustration aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“I know.” I stood up, stretching my arms above my head. “I just wish I could shut off my brain for a while, you know? Stop overthinking everything.”
Lydia’s face brightened. “Actually, I might have the perfect solution for that.” She grinned mischievously. “There’s a party tonight in the Sagittarius recreation parlor. Just music, drinks, and normal college bullshit.”
“A party?” The concept seemed so foreign after everything that had happened. “I don’t know...”
“When’s the last time you just had fun? Let loose a little? Before all this Ophis destiny crap took over your life?”
I thought about it and realized I couldn’t remember. The Assembly had kept me so busy fighting bane that I’d barely had time to breathe, let alone party.
“You know what? You’re right. I need this.” A smile spread across my face, the first genuine one in days. “What time does it start?”
“Nine. I’ll meet you at your room at eight-thirty so we can get ready together.” Lydia looked pleased with herself. “It’ll be good for you. You’re a bad bitch, and I need to remind you every now and then, apparently.”
We finished our run at a more leisurely pace. By the time we reached the academy grounds again, I was actually looking forward to the evening.
Back in my room, Noodle greeted me with a hiss. ‘You smell like outside,’ he commented, his tongue flicking rapidly.
“That’s because I was outside, genius.” I flopped onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. “I’m going to a party tonight.”
‘Party?’ He tilted his head curiously. ‘Will there be mice?’
“Definitely not. And you’re staying here.”
‘Boring,’ he huffed, coiling himself into a tight spiral on my pillow.
I felt a tentative brush against my mind, one of the shield testing our connection. I’d been blocking them as much as possible since yesterday, but it was exhausting to maintain the walls constantly. After a moment’s hesitation, I let the barrier thin slightly.
Concern filtered through. Draco, then. His mental presence was distinctive, cooler and calmer than the others.
Are you alright? his thoughts whispered.
Fine, I replied curtly, not inviting further conversation.
A pause.
We need to talk eventually, Jupiter.
Not today, I answered, then reinforced my mental walls.
I heard him sigh in the back of my mind before his presence receded respectfully. At least one of them understood boundaries.
Rolling onto my side, I checked the time. Hours yet before I needed to get ready, but anticipation was already building. Tonight, I wouldn’t be the Ophis designation or the Nightfall Shield’s axis. I’d just be Jupiter Black, a normal student at a normal party, having a normal good time.
For one night, I could pretend my life wasn’t a complicated mess. For one night, I could just be me.
When Lydia knocked on my door that evening, I was already dressed in black jeans that hugged my curves and a casual black crop top that showed off my serpent tattoos.
I’d let my hair down, the long black waves reaching my waist, and had applied more makeup than usual—smoky eyeshadow that made my silver eyes pop and deep red lipstick.
Lydia whistled when I opened the door. “Damn, girl. You clean up nice.”
“You’re lookin sexy, Lyd,” I replied, taking in her fitted blue dress that perfectly complemented her dark skin. “Ready to raise some hell?”
She grinned, linking her arm through mine. “Absolutely. Let’s get fucked up.”
As we headed toward the Sagittarius dorm, I felt the weight of the past weeks lifting from my shoulders.
We arrived at the party a little after nine, and I immediately felt the thrum of magic in the air.
The Sagittarius recreation parlor had been transformed completely.
The ceiling was a breathtaking illusion of the night sky, constellations swirling and shifting above us like we were standing beneath an open universe.
Stars occasionally shot across the darkness, leaving trails of silver light that lingered for seconds before fading.
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “This is incredible.”
The large room was packed with bodies moving to the low, pulsing beat. Most of the lighting came from glowing drinks that people carried—cocktails infused with luminescence magic that cast pretty blue, purple, and green glows across faces.
“Sagittarius always throws the best parties,” Lydia said over the music, leading me toward a makeshift bar in the corner.
They were astral projectors if I remembered right. Many of them specialized in the entertainment industry, and I could see why.