by LJ Swallow
I slide my eyes towards Ivan, who now faces us. He flicks his narrowed eyes between us before shaking his head slowly at me. Immediately, fear shoots along my spine. If Ivan’s rock had hit Dorian, the damage wouldn’t last, but there’s more behind his actions. Does Ivan think he has a chance to threaten Dorian’s position here?
“Step back.” I look up in alarm as Roger places a hand on Dorian’s chest and shoves him backwards. Dorian stumbles in surprise. “You’ve been told. Keep away from witches. Especially her.”
I wait for snark or swearing from Dorian, but instead he tips his chin and turns on his heel to walk into the building. Roger watches him go then nods at me. “Nice try with the rock.”
“It wasn’t me!” I protest. “Others have magic, especially new students.”
“Excuse me?” calls Ivan. “I know Dorian’s reputation. No way would I throw a rock at him!”
Focus firmly switches to me and my weakness after the night on the island intensifies with their scrutiny. Oriana bites her lip and refuses to meet my eyes.
If the Trinity witch is in conflict with Dorian Blackwood, no student would want to be associated with her. I’ve added another layer to the reasons to keep away from me, and I know what they’re thinking—the Trinity witch could take on Dorian, and it looks like she intends to. Nobody wants catching in that crossfire.
Gritting my teeth, I look back to Ivan, who’s back in conversation with Paul and Andy.
Once-over, Ivan isolated me from others to keep his grip on my everyday life and hold me in check. What he doesn’t understand is that I’m not that girl anymore. I've learned more about myself and my strength in my short weeks at Ravenhold than I ever imagined.
And I have powerful friends.
The last thing I want to do is give Ivan any attention, but we need to talk and he needs to understand.
Chapter Twelve
ELOISE
Dorian continues to disregard anything those in authority tell him. Earlier, the nurse from the infirmary told me to return for some more disgusting herbs to drink, and I’m only halfway there when I encounter Dorian.
Instead of pausing or retreating, I walk along the empty hallway that joins the administration wing to the residential. His beautiful mouth tips at one corner as I approach.
“Dorian,” I say curtly and keep moving.
“Eloise.” He walks backwards along the hallway so that he can face me. “I thought we were over the childish bullshit. Why throw a rock at me?”
“I didn’t.” I look away and our journey along the hallway continues.
A few steps later, Dorian blocks my way and I inhale sharply as I bump into him. “Tell me about your fiancé.”
“He is not,” I retort, although technically Ivan still is, in the eyes of my family. I tried to break off the engagement once, and Ivan told me if I ever left that he’d pursue me.
As he has.
“Why would the witch say you were engaged?”
“Family bullshit. Arranged marriage. Not happening,” I mumble. “Please let me pass.”
I jerk with surprise as Dorian’s hand curls around the back of my neck. He rubs the nape with his thumb and I curse the immediate tingles running through me. “I sense you don’t like Ivan.”
“No. He’s a piece of shit.”
With his other hand, Dorian brushes hair from my face. “High praise indeed. I thought that level of vitriol was reserved for me.”
If I could, I’d move, but I’m rooted to the spot as if he’s holding me down.
“Ivan is a lot like you—immoral, arrogant, and will do anything to get what he wants. Plus, he’s smart, which makes everything worse.” My breath shortens as I talk about Ivan, pissed off that he has such an effect on me still. Yes, Dorian’s touch is sending my heart haywire for other reasons, but Ivan overrides the moment.
“Then I will ensure Ivan learns not to try that bullshit with me,” he says evenly.
“Good,” I murmur and move my face away from his touch.
Dorian’s grip on my neck tightens. “What did he do to you? I sense something.”
“Like I said, he’s a piece of shit.”
“Did he hurt you?” Dorian tips his head and I focus on ignoring the sensation from his massaging of my neck. What happened to ‘I’ll never let him touch me again’? “Eloise. Did Ivan hurt you in the past?”
I swallow and meet Dorian’s eyes. Why does he have to ask and draw back the memories of the assaults? “Ivan won’t hurt me again.”
“Correct.” Dorian draws my face closer. “We’re stronger together remember?”
“Dorian...” I take a deep breath. “Two nights ago, everything was a mess and I chose to help you to save myself.”
“That isn’t true.” Dorian rubs his thumb across my bottom lip. “You kissed me. I didn’t need a kiss. I needed your blood.”
By now I swear my heart is about to slam out of my chest. “You kissed me.”
He chuckles. “Oh, but how you kissed me back, sweet Eloise. I’ve never felt passion like that before.”
“Wrong,” I say, but how can I deny what happened between us? Exactly what’s happening now; our dark hearts recognise each other and I’m struggling to ground myself. How can my logic surrounding Dorian slip with one touch? “Don't let people see you touching me.”
He shakes his head. “The staff are delusional if they think they’ll keep us apart forever. But you’re right. I can’t kiss you here, because I won’t be able to resist when you start trying to undress me.”
I step back. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Come on. You’ve undressed me enough times in here.” He taps the side of my head. “You want me. I want you. We’re inevitable.” My face flushes and I stammer out a denial that amuses him more. “You know something else?” Dorian’s lips move towards my ear. “When we do, sex will be fucking amazing.”
“Stop this,” I snap and push at him. “I’m late for my appointment with the nurse.”
Dorian crosses his arms. “She’s busy. A witch and a shifter kicked the crap out of each other earlier. She’s patching them up.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I was at the infirmary.”
“Why?”
He pulls a face and shrugs. “Because I’m playing their game.”
“Then students are still influenced by something in the academy,” I say, half to myself.
Dorian’s lips meet mine and I stiffen in shock as he briefly holds his mouth there. He withdraws and smirks, poking me on the nose. “Soon.”
I grit my teeth but don’t give him the satisfaction of a response. As I walk away with the feeling of his mouth still against mine, Dorian calls after me. “I’m serious. If that piece of shit touches you again, I’ll deal with him.”
“I can deal with him myself,” I call back.
“Oh, but, Eloise, nobody could deal with him as well as I can.” He pauses. “As well as we can.”
I relax when his footsteps move in the opposite direction to me and I picture his smug face.
What the hell do I do about the effect this guy has on me?
Chapter Thirteen
ELOISE
I can’t get the taste of the tonic from my mouth, and grimace as I head back to the main part of the academy. I’m wary as I cross the quadrangle to my rooms but also confident that nobody would attempt to attack me again.
Why did Dorian visit the infirmary?
After class earlier, Zeke insisted he see me this evening. At the time, I found his demand irritating, but as time passes, I want to talk to him and feel safe again. I like the Zeke I met on the island, and it’s a novelty for one of the guys to try and understand me. If Ethan dealt with his issues, he’d understand more, but Dorian? He’s incapable of empathy.
I head to the common room and as soon as Zeke sees me, he breaks away from his group and walks to where I stand in the doorway. He tips my chin with his thumb and forefinger and leans in to kiss me. His sudden
PDA startles me—and a few people around us too.
“What’s happening, Eloise?” he asks when he draws away, still holding my chin.
I glance around for Ivan but he’s missing. Thankfully. Zeke’s eyes shine an inhuman colour, the reminder what he is and can do.
I stroke my fingers down his arm. “Do you want to be alone?”
I almost laugh at Zeke’s momentary shock, as if I’d asked him to pull his clothes off here and now. “Yeah. Mine.”
“Good. We can talk there.”
Zeke gives me the laconic smile he did the first time we met. “Sure. Amongst other things.”
I roll my eyes at him and he chuckles.
I haven’t visited Zeke’s room since the night the shifter girls attacked me, and the unspoken follows us there. He walks along the hallway with his arm draped around my shoulders, drawing me to him when people approach in the opposite direction. He doesn’t need to, because everybody veers around us.
“You reckon they’re avoiding me or you?” he whispers.
“You. Obviously.”
Zeke squeezes me closer. “You underestimate how scared people are of you, Trinity witch.”
“Pfft.”
“It’s true.” We tread up the stairs to Zeke’s room and he unlocks and pushes open the door.
The picture of the mountain landscape catches my eye again as the door clicks closed behind us. Zeke turns me to him but instead of the hard kiss I expect, he frowns at me. “Ivan,” he says. “I remember you using his name the last time you were in here.”
Oh, not again. “And I told you he’s just a guy who’s not nice.”
“‘Not nice’?” His eyes blaze. “You freaked out when I unbuttoned your shirt and called me Ivan. Did he assault you?”
“Whatever happened between me and Ivan is the past. I’m not the same girl and he’s a nobody here.” I pause and poke him in the chest. “Plus, he knows the strongest shifter has my back. I don't need help, Zeke.”
“I didn’t ask if you needed help. But the stars help the bastard if he touches you again.” Zeke’s expression darkens.
“No. Zeke. Don’t get caught up in something that could lead to trouble. I’m more concerned why he’s here. Ivan gave the authorities the evidence they needed to lock me up. Now he’s here too. Sure, he’s done plenty to earn himself a stint here, but who caught him, and why now?”
Zeke drops his hold on me and frowns. “Confederacy caught Dorian; they can easily catch Ivan.”
“But Ivan doesn’t seem to care that he’s here and—"
“And?”
I sit on the bed. “Ivan told me that he isn’t staying at Ravenhold and that he’s taking me with him.”
Zeke barks a laugh and stands over me. “Nobody is taking you anywhere. He’ll learn you’ve powerful allies—including one who’d fight to keep you for himself.”
My heart skips as I remember his intense words about being his. “Zeke. I don’t like the idea you’d ‘keep me’.”
“I don’t mean me. Dorian Blackwood wants your blood; he won’t let anybody else take it, or take you.” He smiles. “Stand back and let Dorian sort the bastard out. That way Ivan dies, and our hands stay clean.”
“Dorian wouldn’t kill inside Ravenhold.”
Zeke crouches on the floor in front of me. “Don’t bet on that. I’ll have a quiet word with him since we’re head boys.”
I smile. “What do you think the academy’s aim is?”
“Putting us ‘in charge’? Who knows, but if this saves me a stint in solitary, I’ll go with their plan.”
“I’m suspicious.”
“Right. The Confederacy threw us onto an island and half-killed you. What’s next?” His face switches to concern and he takes my hand. “Are you alright? I heard you went back to the infirmary.”
“Yes. The nurse gave me a ‘tonic’.” Zeke’s brow pinches. “What?”
“And you trusted her?”
“You think they’d poison me?”
“No. But don't drink their shit. You know that I can heal if you need. I’ve helped twice.”
I reach out to touch Zeke’s stubbled cheek. “I know. Thank you.”
“And I’ve already mentioned how you can repay me.” He cocks a brow as he kneels, then shakes his head at my expression. “I’m joking, Eloise.”
But he isn’t. He’s looking at me the way he did when we were hidden away in the cold; the time his gentle kisses became harsh and his hands possessive. He doesn’t match Ethan’s height and build, but Zeke holds as much strength in his lithe body. Zeke would easily destroy his prey whether in shifter or human form—and as human, that shifter power hums around him.
I move from the bed to straddle him and take his face between my hands. He tips his head to look up at me, supporting himself with both hands on the floor behind him.
“Last night, I was too cold to feel your touch properly,” I say. “You definitely warmed me up, but my skin was numb.” I brush my mouth against his. “My face. Lips.”
Zeke’s moves to hold my waist. “You want me to warm you up again?”
I rest my forehead on his and inhale the subtle scent that reminds me of last night. I didn’t know what threats waited on the island and I was physically weak without my magic. For days inside the academy, I lived on alert, worried that I’d be attacked. I also spent confusing time with Ethan and Zeke, unable to figure out what either of them intended.
Zeke offers me something I’d never expect, especially considering his first interactions with me. This side of him comes from the part of himself and his childhood that he never speaks about—something connected to those scars on his body.
He’s caring. Straightforward. I understand that he’s not ready to speak to me about everything, but he’s one person around me who I don’t have to second-guess any longer. Right now, I crave that person’s attention. I want to feel good. To forget. To be Zeke’s for a while.
I tug at my shirt and he props himself back on his hands again, watching as I pull it over my head. His eyes zone in on my breasts pushing against the thin lace bra, but he doesn’t touch me or speak. Taking his face again, I sweep my tongue across his lips and tease his mouth open. Zeke’s kiss is restrained, and I press myself against him, his soft cotton shirt warm against my naked skin.
Zeke’s eyes shine a brighter amber as I unhook and remove my bra, and his breath shallows as he tips his head back to look at me. Still, he doesn’t touch my skin. If he weren’t looking at me with unmistakable desire, I’d grab my shirt and put it back on through embarrassment.
“Kiss me,” I tell him.
He purses his lips. I scowl at his evasiveness and when his lips don’t move any closer, I move my leg to climb from him. Zeke’s arm wraps around my waist and before I can move another inch, I’m on my back with Zeke’s mouth on mine.
This time, nothing is numb and every place his skin touches mine, each caress and kiss, burns through me. I haven’t been encompassed by somebody in this way for months; Ethan’s reluctance placed a distance that Zeke never wants.
“Remember what I said?” he asks in a rough voice as he kisses and nips along my neck. “You’d be mine.”
“I won’t belong to you,” I say and gasp in a breath as he nudges my legs apart with his knee. “Nobody will ever treat me like a possession again.”
I want to be his, just not his alone; to feel his skin against mine, and that touch to take away the ache that builds every time he does.
“I know.” His mouth closes over my nipple and he bites gently before flicking with his tongue and I grip his hair harder. “I can’t claim you, but we’ll have a part of each other.”
I unbutton Zeke's jeans and he arches a brow before he drags off his shirt and unzips my jeans too. Our lips connect again, and I drag my nails down his chest to his waist. I pause and meet his eyes filled with a burning intensity to match the heat of our skin. We pull at the rest of our clothes until we’re naked, but fully unlike in the cav
e.
And I’m blasting with heat compared to the ice block I was back there.
Our teeth collide, tongues battling, as the hunger for each other grips us. My breasts push against his hard chest, peaked nipples brushing against him and sending shivers across my body.
I push my hand between us and wrap my fingers around him. As I move my hand along Zeke’s hard cock he groans into my mouth before pulling away, mouth parted in pleasure.
“You’re definitely welcome to that part of me,” he says with a chuckle, and I roll my eyes.
“You’re so predictable sometimes, Zeke.”
“And you’re unpredictable, El.”
“That, I am.” I smile and push Zeke off me and roll until his back is on the floor, with his eyes dark and curious. I'm on him before he can move, straddling him, aware of my slick heat sliding against his hard length pressing between my legs.
He inhales sharply and grips my backside. “Fuck. Eloise.”
I splay my palms across his white-scarred chest, which rises and falls rapidly beneath them. He draws a finger along my stomach, triggering vibrations from my belly downwards. “Your tattoo,” I say and touch the edges. “The scars.”
“Now?” he groans. “I can’t talk now.”
“Distracted?” I whisper and sit back to curl my fingers around his cock.
“Really fucking distracted,” he says and holds my waist. “I never expected this.”
Maybe because Ivan’s presence reminds me of being held down, or perhaps because I want to prove I can be in control, I stay on top of Zeke. Moistening my lips, I shift and slowly lower myself onto Zeke, enjoying how he fills me inch by teasing inch.
“Fuck,” he breathes out, eyes closed, and grips my ass to push me down, then swears louder as I rock my hips. “Fuck!”
I lock my gaze on his, hair falling forwards as I continue to slide against him, luxuriating in the pleasure rising with each movement. Zeke guides my hips and holds his fingers over my clit as I steady one hand on his chest, riding him. He matches my thrusts and doesn’t look away from me. The connection I wanted forges, and I tip my head back, eyes closed, mouth parted, feeling the familiar rush building inside.
