Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
We had the day off today, meaning no classes. I was glad. It had been a late night yesterday and I’d slept in this morning, having already made plans with Casey to have a late breakfast. Nym and Harpy were already in the dining hall when I showed up, Casey still nowhere in sight.
“Late night?” Nym grinned knowingly.
“Yes,” I said, keeping it at that. I was still tired and wasn’t in the mood for teasing until I’d gotten some food into my system.
My lovely mate’s scent still clung to my skin, a thing I would treasure until I bathed later.
He would need to rub his lovely scent on me again after, a thing I was completely on board with.
The school had shared bathrooms with wooden walls for privacy and I had a certain plan formed where I wouldn’t be bathing alone later. The bathtubs could definitely fit two. I just hoped Casey would be up for sharing a tub.
The usually full dining hall was around half full when we had days off.
It was nice, more intimate and quiet. Most that still sat about had already eaten but enjoyed talking to their friends and just hanging out.
Lunch would be served in two hours’ time, and I was sure most would stay for the switch, maybe studying as they slowly snacked on their food.
It was a rather enticing thought, had I not already made plans to make a nest with Casey, something my raven form was very excited about doing.
I picked out some new things to try, avoiding my usual choices and feeling adventurous.
Now that I didn’t have classes that I needed to be full for, I felt like I could finally try out the more interesting options.
I grabbed a red bun that had some white filling inside.
It could be savory or sweet, I wouldn’t know until I tried it.
Then I picked a slightly pink smoothie. A wooden spoon was in it, making it clear that it was too thick for drinking.
It looked delicious, but was one of those things I feared wouldn’t be very filling on a normal day.
Once my plate was filled and, with my smoothie in hand, I returned to the table, pleased to see that Casey and Ryn had joined Nym and Harpy.
“Good morning,” I greeted, putting my food down. I then bent to place a sweet kiss on Casey’s cheek, having missed him fiercely even though I’d been asleep for most of our time apart.
“Morning,” Casey grinned. “I think we should fly out to the beach and look for shiny things after breakfast.”
“Oh,” Harpy perked up. “You’re collecting for a nest?”
Casey blushed as he nodded. “I finally feel ready to make a nest here.”
Harpy’s eyes softened as he looked at my mate. “I’m glad to hear it.”
My plan was still to bathe first. “I love that idea,” I began, giving Casey a smile that was only ever meant for him. “However, I feel like a bath might be wonderful before we head out.”
Casey just nodded. “Sure, we can just meet up after bathing.”
Leaning closer to him, I whispered, “I was thinking we could bathe together.”
Casey choked on air, blushing even more. “I’d like that,” he whispered back.
“You do realize we can hear you both clearly, right?” Myve said, making me startle.
“How long have you been here?” I asked, holding my heart protectively where it beat faster than normal.
She just rolled her eyes. “I walked over here when you started talking about defiling your mate in the bathroom. Honestly, you could be more romantic about it, you know.”
It was my turn to blush. Wasn’t I romantic enough? I would need to up my wooing and make Casey the happiest he could ever be.
“Who said I need romance?” Casey countered, raising one eyebrow.
Myve just cackled at that, joining us at the table. “I’m so glad you’re a part of the family now, Casey.”
“Hey!” Harpy exclaimed. “What about me?”
“You, too,” Myve smiled but then her eyes turned sad as they focused on something behind Harpy.
Hans was standing at the buffet, looking her way. He’d stopped in the middle of the line; his gaze firmly locked on Myve. He looked miserable as he stood there, the longing and heartache clear even from a distance.
“How are you holding up?” Nazuss asked Myve as soon as Hans had blinked out of his trance.
“I’m still mad as hell at The Magic, but I also know I should trust it,” Myve replied in a low tone. “Hans cornered me a few days ago, trying to apologize again, blaming his phoenix form on his agitation that day.”
“I don’t know much about phoenix shifters,” I said, thinking if I’d ever even met one before coming here. “But is it like with dragon shifters?”
Myve shrugged. “I didn’t let him elaborate, just hurried to evade him.”
“Maybe you should hear him out,” Nym said, surprising us all. “If his phoenix is somehow close to what I feel when it comes to instincts, then maybe he does have a good reason for acting out.”
“But he hurt Harpy!” Myve argued, looking hurt. “How could I ever betray you like that?”
Nym smiled softly at our cousin. “This has nothing to do with me, or my mate. This is about you and your mate.” Myve bristled at that. “You don’t have to seal your mating bond unless you want to, but hearing him out will only help you make a decision faster.”
“He’s right,” Nazuss said. “I hate seeing you suffer like this.”
“I—” she swallowed. “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore.” Myve then left the table, walking out of the dining room with her head hung low.
“This is nice,” Casey whispered. The steam from our bath rose around us, making the fresh scent of oranges flood the room as we bathed. I was resting against the back of the tub with Casey laid out between my legs, his head on my shoulder as I slowly traced my fingers over his arms.
We hadn’t wasted much time before we got into the tub, even if I could tell Casey wished to admire my body some more.
We were both eager to start collecting shiny objects for our nest and we would likely need lots of sticks as well.
It could take us hours, but we still rested in the warm water like we had all the time in the world.
“I wish we could stay like this forever,” I whispered, kissing his neck.
He smiled, closing his eyes. “When we’ve graduated, we can. I plan on doing a lot of resting in the future, preferably after having some sweaty fun.”
I chuckled. “That sounds wonderful.”
“I know, right,” he sighed. “I can’t wait.”
Casey then carefully moved his body, straddling my legs as best as he could with the narrow space, and kissed me.
We’d picked the tub in the far corner; a wall of wood panels hid us from view.
All the bathtubs were partitioned off with wooden walls, one window next to it to let out the steam.
We had a view of the ocean through the slightly frosted glass, making us feel like we were in our own little haven.
A shriek had us jolting apart, the water sloshing over the sides. “This is a public space!” Hyland’s outraged cry filled the room.
I was glad we’d used lots of my soap, making bubbles obscure our bodies. I didn’t want to kill Hyland, but I would’ve needed to if he’d seen my perfect mate all wet and naked.
“What the fuck!” I yelled. “We had the door closed! You’re the one walking in on us bathing!”
Hyland seemed to splutter, no actual words escaping his mouth. He turned around without a word and I hoped that would be it.
Casey sighed. “I guess this won’t be a thing we get to enjoy in the future then.”
I mirrored his sigh. “Let’s just wash up and get dressed. We have a nest to make.”