by K. G. Reuss
“And if I can’t get out of the marriage?” I asked, desperate for any sort of hope.
“Let’s not worry about that. If there’s a will, there’s a way.” He gave me a wink. My uncle was a cunning man. There had to be a way. We just had to find it.
And find it, I would.
Fifty-Three
Everly
After assuring Nev a million times I was fine and telling him about everything that happened, minus kissing Raiden, I was able to relax. It didn’t last long because Nev got on my ass about joining Dyre again. Once more, I declined, citing the need for more time. Dejected, he left, vowing he wouldn’t stop asking until I said yes.
Exhaustion took over. After Nev departed, I crawled into bed with my mind on Raiden. He said we could be together. Hours had passed. I hadn’t seen him since.
Night fell long ago. I tossed and turned, punching my pillow. I couldn’t sleep despite how tired I felt. After nearly two hours of trying, I got to my feet and went into my kitchen to fix myself a mug of cocoa. My mom used to make it for me when I couldn’t sleep.
I sipped at it, feeling some comfort wash over me. A soft knock at my door pulled my thoughts away from home. After placing my mug on the counter, I padded to the door, swearing to myself if it was Nev again, I’d lose my shit.
“Raiden?” I whispered when I opened the door to find him standing there wearing all black, his silver hair a perfect mess. He looked loads better than he had when I’d left him earlier.
He answered by stepping into the room wordlessly and sweeping me into his arms, his mouth on mine in a deep, soul-searing kiss.
I eagerly returned his affections, my fingers tangling in his hair. The door banged shut behind us, no doubt his magical doing. He pressed me against the wall, his hands sweeping all over my back before going through my hair. When we broke away from one another, we were both breathless.
“I’m so sorry about my father,” he murmured, a tortured look in his eyes. “He had no right to speak to you that way.”
“I don’t even care about that. I missed you.”
A smile curved his lips up. “I missed you too.”
I went silent, staring up at him. My heart beat a mad rhythm in my chest.
“What’s wrong?” He crinkled his brows, worry etched into his handsome face.
“I can’t believe you’re here. I’m trying to figure out why.”
He chuckled softly. “I think why I’m here is pretty obvious, don’t you?”
“Not really,” I squeaked. Why would a Conexus General want me? They didn’t date anyone outside their group, or at least, not peons like me. I didn’t have a royal background or old blood—at least not blood I could openly discuss without a trip to Xanan for questioning.
“Then maybe I should kiss you again.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine.
I let out a shuddering breath. So many emotions flowed through me that breathing became difficult.
Shadow.
Why he was on my mind when I was tonsils deep in the hottest guy I’d ever seen before was beyond me. But just the same, Shadow was marching through my brain like a drumline. He’d made it clear we couldn’t happen. He’d left me. He wasn’t coming back. Nev bounced into my mind, the memory of him telling me to get close to Raiden washing over me. I’d say I was working that angle…
“You’re overthinking,” Raiden murmured, his lips brushing against my jaw.
“Maybe.”
He chuckled, his warm breath sending a current of goosebumps through me. “Stop. Just react. Don’t overthink.”
“Are you training me in other things?” I dared ask as he continued kissing his way across my skin.
“Yes,” he whispered, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. “But you never listen to me.”
“Maybe in this instance I will.” I tugged him close, our lips melding to one another again. I was so tired of fighting everything. I wanted Raiden. I’d wanted him since the first moment I saw him, betraying my feelings for Shadow. If I were to do this, I had to be all in. I pushed the agonizing thoughts of Shadow from my mind and focused on the magnificent man in front of me.
Raiden’s hands skirted just beneath my tank top. His warm fingers on my skin were electric. It didn’t take me long to find my way under his shirt, my fingers tracing along the hard planes of all his rippling muscles.
“We should stop,” he breathed out between kisses.
“Mhm,” I mumbled against his lips, tugging his shirt up. He didn’t stop me. Instead, he broke our kiss for a moment to toss his shirt to the floor behind him. Then his lips found mine again. Without any effort, he lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pressed me back against the wall. We were in a feverish dance, both of us struggling to lead.
His kisses slowed before ending altogether. He rested his forehead against mine, his hands tight on my waist.
“What’s wrong?” Worry twisted my insides as he hauled in deep breaths, his forehead still against mine.
“Absolutely nothing. But you deserve better than to be pinned against your wall. When we do this, I want it to be special for you.”
My heart fluttered at his words.
“Where have you been all my life?” I cupped his face in my hands, feeling the rough stubble on his jaw. He moved his head away and smiled down at me, his aquamarine eyes shining with so much adoration my toes curled.
“I’ve been right here. Waiting.”
I woke up the next day, feeling like I could conquer the world. Raiden had left soon after our make out session, citing he had patrols and needed to leave, much to his displeasure and mine.
Excitement coursed through me as I thought about getting to see him later. I knew people couldn’t know about us, but I’d deal. I also knew if Raiden said he’d figure it out, he would. I trusted that.
“Hey, look at you all smiles,” Harper greeted me with a grin.
My smile widened. “I had a good night.”
“Oh yeah? How good?”
“I’m smiling, aren’t I?”
“Girl, was it Nev?” Her eyes sparkled as we stopped at a vending machine so we could grab cereal bars. “I know he was worried sick about you and had gone to your dorm—”
“It wasn’t Nev,” I said, my eyes darting around the courtyard in search of Raiden. It didn’t take me long to find him. He was moving across the lawn with his group, his face fixed in the same no-nonsense mask he always wore. Students scattered like they always did.
Harper followed my gaze and lifted her brows. “Eric?”
“What?” I asked, my eyes still glued to Raiden as he moved. My mind went back to how his muscles rippled beneath my touch, the warmth of his words on my lips, how he touched me—
“Earth to Ever!” Harper called out.
I shook my head and glanced at her. “Not Eric.”
She snorted, glancing back to where Conexus had settled themselves at their usual table. “Don’t lie. You two have been hot for each other since you arrived.”
I followed her gaze over to Eric who was nodding along with whatever Raiden was telling him. Eric’s eyes landed on me after a moment, like he’d sensed me. A smile graced his lips, and he inclined his head.
Harper gave a soft chuckle. “Yep. Nice. But what did we tell you—”
“I know,” I grumbled, smiling back at Eric before my gaze found Raiden’s. He played hardball. Even his eyes were hard as he peered back at me. He’d be one hell of a poker player.
“So what are you going to do?”
“Enjoy myself.” I gave her a quick smile, tearing my eyes away from Raiden’s.
“Just don’t get caught up with them. Sloane trained with Damien, and she was starry-eyed over him then look what happened—”
“It won’t happen to me.” Raiden promised. I believed his promises without a second thought. Harper gave me a skeptical look and shook her head. I knew it upset her. I also knew I should clarify it was Raiden and not Eric, but if she
was upset about it being Eric, she’d lose her shit if I said it was Raiden. He’d have to be my secret until deemed otherwise.
The day crept by, long and painful. I didn’t see Raiden once after the courtyard. I knew going into this it would be hard. I just hadn’t realized how hard.
Lost in my thoughts, I wandered past the alchemy building. I let out a squeak as I was snatched from behind, a large, warm hand covering my mouth before I could scream. My attacker pulled me into a dark corner amid my struggles.
When he released me, I whirled around to come face to face with Raiden.
“What the hell?” I hissed out. “You scared me!”
“Did I?” A smile curled his lips up. “I must say, we need to work on your offense if the best you have is a weak struggle. I expected a full-on attack. Something…rougher.” His eyes moved over me lazily, causing my body to tremble.
“You want rough, General?” I murmured, wanting to be in charge, moving so that my body pressed against his. He stared down at me, a ravenous look in his hooded eyes. “Do you really think you can handle me?”
I brushed my lips against his, and he shuddered beneath the kiss, his hands landing on my waist to whirl me, so I was pressed against the dark stone wall behind me, our lips still against one another’s.
“Maybe the wall isn’t such a bad place,” he growled, nipping at my bottom lip before his tongue darted out to run along the seam of my lips. I tangled my fingers in his hair and brought our mouths together in a deep kiss. He groaned against me, making me feel feverish.
When his hands wandered beneath my shirt, I let him, eager to feel his warm touch on my skin. We were hot and heavy in our make-out session in the shadows of the building when he jerked away from me, panting hard.
I opened my mouth to ask what was wrong, but I didn’t need to. A moment later, I heard Amara’s and Eric’s voices.
“Amara, why can’t you drop it?” Eric demanded.
“Because it’s my future, you half-wit.”
I cast a confused look at Raiden who stepped farther away, not looking at me. A moment later, Eric and Amara came into view.
“I need to go,” Raiden said, giving my hand a squeeze before brushing his fingers against my cheek. “I’ll see you at practice tonight.”
And without waiting for my response, he left me standing there to go meet Eric and Amara. Her face lit up when he approached them, but Eric’s keen eyes darted to my hiding spot. I knew he couldn’t see me, but something told me he knew I was there.
And despite me wanting to believe that Raiden wasn’t with Amara, an ugly truth teased my mind, telling me that Raiden wasn’t letting all his truths out.
Fifty-Four
Raiden
“Gen, you have a fire message,” Damien called out as I walked into the house. We met in the middle of the room, and he handed it to me.
Grumbling, I opened the message from my father, knowing there’d be nothing good inside.
General Hawthorne,
I’ll be arriving tomorrow evening with the LaCroix family for your nuptial planning with Amara LaCroix. Since you’ve busied yourself to the point of not showing up to these appointments, we’ll bring the appointment to you. Please ensure you’re a gracious host—
I didn’t bother reading the rest. I let the message disintegrate into ash, my teeth grinding together.
“What’s up?” Damien asked, eyeing me cautiously.
“Father is coming with the LaCroixs tomorrow.”
Damien winced. “Wedding shit?”
I nodded, a lump in my throat as my mind swiveled to Everly. Her kiss. Her touch. Her smile.
“What’s going on?” Eric glanced at me and Damien as he came into the room. He tossed his cloak on a chair.
“Raiden got a message from the sigil. He’s coming tomorrow with the LaCroixs for wedding planning.”
Eric grimaced as I sank down onto my chair.
“What are you going to do?”
I shook my head and rubbed my eyes. “I don’t know. Sangrey said he was working on a way to get me out of this.”
“Play the part,” Damien piped up, perching on the arm of the couch.
“What?”
“Be the doting fiancé. Tell them you’re excited. Don’t fight it. When Sangrey gets it worked out—and I know his ass will—you can flip them the bird and bounce, brother. But keep the peace.” Damien gave me an earnest look. He had a point.
“What about Ever?” Eric asked, his stare focused on me.
I hesitated. I hadn’t told anyone about me and Ever yet.
“Uh—”
“Cut the shit.” Eric rolled his eyes and sat forward. Damien volleyed a look of confusion between us. “You were making out with her by the alchemy building.”
“What?” Damien yelped, his eyes widening.
I sighed.
“Eric’s telling the truth? What the hell? When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell us?” Damien’s voice rose an octave.
“I didn’t want anyone to know until I could figure out how to make it work.”
“So what are you going to do about her? Obviously, you haven’t told her you’re Shadow or that you and Amara are engaged.” Eric fixed me with another one of his stares.
I nodded, clasping my hands as I rested my elbows on my knees and sat forward. My hair fell forward, creating a curtain between me and the guys.
“I’m not going to tell her. I’m going to fire message Sangrey about the marriage. I’m going to play the part. I can’t lose Ever. She’ll tell me to get lost if she finds out I lied about Amara.”
“You’re playing with fire. Literally.” Eric sighed. “I know you aren’t in love with Amara, but I think in this instance, you need to let Ever know the situation—”
“No.” I snapped my head up. “I can’t lose her. She’ll bail. I know I’m rotten for doing this, but I can’t risk losing her.”
“You can’t seem to get shit right.” Damien gave a low whistle. “What are you going to do when she finds out you’re Shadow? Her powers grow stronger by the day, man. Eventually, she’ll see it’s you.”
“Then I best hope that doesn’t happen.” I swallowed hard.
“You’re risking losing her. Even if that’s not your intention. Just be honest—” Eric started again.
“Eric, enough. I’ll deal with this,” I snapped.
Disgust washed over his features as he sighed. “I’m trying to help you!”
“I know. But there’s no good answer. Not one that keeps her out of it.”
“She’s going to find out,” he grumbled, folding his arms over his chest.
Damien nodded. “Eric has a point.”
I got to my feet and grabbed my cloak then stormed out of the house. I knew they were right. I hated that any of it was happening. The only thing I wanted in that moment was Ever. I wanted her in my arms, her mouth on mine, her body tucked firmly beneath me.
Luckily, training started in twenty minutes. So I might get that.
Fifty-Five
Everly
“Hey.” Warm arms wound around my midsection as I stood in the training room. Raiden’s lips brushed against the shell of my ear as he murmured into it. “I missed you.”
My heart raced. If someone would’ve told me weeks ago that Raiden was this way, I’d have laughed in their face.
“I missed you too.” I turned in his arms, and my breath caught. His face was stricken in turmoil, his aquamarine eyes dark and stormy. “What’s wrong?”
“I want you, Everly. I want all of you.”
I swallowed, staring up at him. “I’m right here. Come get me.”
He answered with a deep kiss on my lips, his arms tightening their hold around me. Tingles rocketed through my body as our mouths worked against one another’s. He rested his forehead against mine when he broke the kiss off.
“Let’s skip practice tonight.”
“Are you feeling OK?” I let out a nervous laugh.
“I want
to feel better. I want to take you somewhere.” He backed away from me and held out his hand. “A real date. Complete with you in a beautiful dress fit for a queen. Are you in?”
I glanced from his hand to his beautiful face. It took less than a second to decide.
I placed my hand in his. “Absolutely.”
Raiden walked me back to my dorm, promising he’d return for me shortly. Giddy with excitement, I went inside and rifled through my closet. I grabbed a red dress Nina had sent and quickly shimmied into it after stripping out of my training attire. I left my hair to tumble around me in dark waves then dotted lip gloss on my lips.
A moment later, a soft knock on my door signaled Raiden had returned. We were moving fast with each other, but it felt right.
“You look beautiful.” A brilliant smile spread across his face as he took me in. I grinned back at him, surveying his dark dress shirt and pressed pants.
“You too. I mean, not beautiful. Handsome.” My face heated at my words, but he only smirked wider before offering me his hand. I took it, and he led me toward Conexus house. We were silent as we walked, but it didn’t bother me. It felt good to just be in his presence.
When we reached the house, he led me to a large garage filled with cars.
“What’s this?” I looked from the sleek blacked-out Jeep to Raiden.
“My Jeep.”
“You have a Jeep?”
He laughed and opened the door, gesturing for me to get in. “I do.”
“And you want me to get into it because…”
“Because.” He planted a kiss on the tip of my nose. “We’re going off campus. Is that a problem?”
“It has the potential to be,” I squeaked out.
“I want you to feel normal for a moment,” he murmured, leaning in and brushing a kiss against my jaw. “I want to feel normal for a moment. Trust me. We’ll be safe.”
