Labyrinth Academy 2: Wars: an Urban Fantasy academy romance

by JA Wren

  She’d learned her lesson—

  Soft footsteps came from outside Asher’s room and shadows cut through the strip of light under the door. She expected him to swing it open, but the shadows disappeared. Was someone creeping around outside in the hallway?

  Weird, since their rooms were the last on this floor. Nothing but a window beyond them. Unless Delilah had come to check on her and didn’t know she was staying with Asher.

  Rayna hopped out of bed and opened the door.

  A shrill squeak nearly deafened her as the slim figure standing outside her room jumped almost a foot into the air.

  “Evelyn?” Rayna frowned at the Siren. “What are you doing here? Your dormitory is all the way on the other side of campus.”

  “I—uh, I came to talk to you.” She eyed the baggy tee draping Rayna and hanging down to her knees. “Unless you’re too busy.”

  Rayna crossed her arms over her chest. “What could you possibly want to talk about at this time of night?”

  Evelyn waved her hand through the air. “Hello, you’re a daughter of the night. That hardly seems to be an issue.”

  Yeah, well, she still slept.

  Instead of voicing her snark, she raised her brows at the Siren and waited.

  Evelyn’s lips parted, but it took her several seconds before words left her mouth. “The Sisterhood. I wanted to give you a second chance.”

  Rayna’s brows crinkled together. “What happened to a one-time offer?”

  With a dramatic sigh, Evelyn placed her hands on her hips. She was still dressed in an elegant champagne blouse and crisp white skirt. No PJs, despite the late hour. Rayna suddenly felt incredibly frumpy in the saggy tee.

  “Look,” Evelyn started. “I’m president, so I get final say. And right now, I say we give you a second chance. It’s not like we’ll get the opportunity to welcome someone like you into our ranks ever again.”

  Rayna leaned her shoulder against the doorframe. “Evelyn—”

  “Just think about it, okay?” Her voice had gone weird. Was this her version of pleading? “You don’t have to decide now. Give me your answer when you’re ready and in the meanwhile, I’ll keep you a spot. How ‘bout that?”

  Rayna wanted to argue, but Evelyn seemed uncomfortably earnest. And it was freaking her out. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

  “Great!” Evelyn gave her a megawatt smile, the one she saved for special occasions.

  Rayna.

  Of course the star had to pick that moment to resume its call.

  Rayna stared at the Siren, waiting for her to freak out at the whispering voice calling her name. But Evelyn simply lifted her hand in a little finger wave and disappeared down the hallway.

  Huh. Maybe she was the only one who could hear the star.

  Rayna.

  “Yeah, yeah, I hear you,” she mumbled under her breath, careful to keep it low enough Evelyn didn’t think she was talking to her. Or worse—herself. “Not tonight.”

  With that, she turned and headed back inside, closing the door behind her. She got into bed and tried to ignore the star as it kept whispering.

  The door finally opened with a tiny snick well after midnight.

  “Hey.” She sat up and reached for the light.

  “I thought you’d be asleep by now,” he whispered, padding his way over to the bed.

  A pair of blue scrub bottoms hung low on his hips, curiously sexy with all the beautiful bronze skin of his torso left bare. He set something down on the bedside table, but she was too busy ogling him to pay much attention to what it was.

  The muscles in his arms and broad shoulders flexed, the dim light catching the dips and curves. Highlighting them. Casting golden shadows over his taut abs. Drawing her gaze to the deep V disappearing beneath the waistband of his scrubs and making her shiver.

  His hair was messy, the short spikes pointing in all directions, and dark rings lined his brown eyes. Yet despite looking exhausted as hell, he was the hottest thing she’d ever seen. More beautiful than any man had a right to be.

  “You are unbelievably gorgeous, you know that?” she blurted.

  He laughed, then sat on the edge of the bed and buried his face in his upturned hands. “I’m unbelievably glad you didn’t get hurt earlier. That’s all I know.”

  Rayna sucked her bottom lip between her teeth and gnawed on it for a second. “You’re not angry at me?”

  He looked up, glancing over his shoulder with deep furrows between his brows. “Angry?”

  “Yeah, you seemed…really pissed at me earlier, and I…well, I didn’t know why. Thought maybe you didn’t like me using my powers on you or—”

  She broke off when he twisted his body around and kissed her, his lips hotter than normal. Probably thanks to part shifting earlier to fly Nissa to the infirmary. Whatever the reason, she reveled in the warmth flooding her mouth and sending tingles all through her nerves.

  He tangled a hand in her hair, holding her close so he could deepen the kiss. His tongue swept across her lip, but he pulled back far too soon and rested his forehead against hers.

  “Rayna. How could you think I was angry with you?”

  She licked her lips, and he groaned but waited for her answer. “You wouldn’t even look at me. Wouldn’t talk to me. What was I supposed to think?”

  His free hand joined the one in her hair, holding her tighter as he kissed the bridge of her nose. The tip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”

  “So, you weren’t angry?”

  “Not with you.”

  “Who then? Because you were definitely pissed at someone, so don’t try to lie and say you weren’t.”

  He laughed, breath fanning over her skin. “I was angry at myself, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at you because I almost failed.”

  “Failed?” She tried to ease back so she could meet his eyes, but he wouldn’t let her go. Not even an inch. “What do you mean you almost failed?”

  “Nissa.”

  Ah. He thought he’d almost failed the baby phoenix because she’d practically self-combusted only a day after arriving at the academy. But it still didn’t exactly explain why he wouldn’t look at Rayna.

  “If you hadn’t been in the bathroom with Kally,” he said softly. “If I hadn’t been standing right next to Nissa. Things might’ve gone horribly wrong, and I don’t know what I would’ve done if you’d been hurt. Or worse. I almost failed you—again—and I couldn’t bear to face you. Not after I nearly lost you again.”

  She sucked in a gasp. “You didn’t fail me.”

  “But it was way too fucking close. One tiny difference and—” He cut himself off, instead pressing a kiss to her lips. “If you hadn’t trapped her fire when you did, I don’t know if I could’ve stopped the flames from taking over. I’ve never seen a phoenix lose control the way she did. Even juvenile phoenixes have better control of themselves.”

  “Maybe something set her off.”

  He nodded and shrugged at the same time. Non-committal. “Maybe.”

  “How is she?”

  “Stable for now, but they’re monitoring her. They have a Fire Mage on call who should be able to prevent Nissa from hurting anyone.” He drew in a long, slow breath. “But she needs training or it could happen again. And who knows what kind of damage her fire could cause if left unchecked.”

  A twinge cut through Rayna’s chest even as an idea struck. “Kally can train me.”

  His eyes widened. “You’d be okay with that?”

  She shrugged. “Sure. We kind of…had a moment tonight. You know, before the whole blazing ball of fire thing. Maybe this will help to rekindle our friendship.”

  She’d actually like that. Things had been awkward between them for too long, and she missed her bestie.

  He cupped her cheek, thumb circling and creating a pleasant hum in her skin, as he gave her that sexy half smile. “It’s a good idea. She’s a daughter of the night with a greater understanding of what you’re capable of.”

/>   She slid a finger along his bare shoulder, tracing a path down his arm. “I think you’re perfectly aware of what I’m capable of.”

  Heat radiated off of him and his eyes smoldered, instantly going coppery. “Not the right context.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He growled and sealed their lips together. His arms went around her as he leaned in until her head hit the pillow, her back cushioned by the bed. She gripped him tighter, never wanting to let go, and kissed him harder. Until she was panting and struggling to draw a deep enough breath.

  “I want you,” she whispered into his ear, grazing the lobe with her teeth.

  He groaned against her neck. “What happened to waiting?”

  She ran her tongue along the shell of his ear, eliciting a shiver from him. “I’m done waiting.”

  One week and she might be back in the heavens if she didn’t get control of her powers. She had to seize every moment she had with him.

  Removing any doubt, Rayna slid her hand down his back, under the waistband of his scrubs, and cupped his bare ass. Tugging him closer. She arched into him, wedging his hard erection between her legs.

  They both moaned.

  Asher’s hand wandered down, down, down. Skimming over her breast and waist. Past her hip until he found the hem of his tee. His fingers teased the skin of her outer thigh as his lips met hers. A light kiss that matched his touch on her leg. Barely there. Not nearly enough.

  She lifted her leg and wrapped it around him. Demanding more.

  He smiled against her lips, the smug grin of someone who knew exactly what he was doing to her. Then his hand drifted under the tee, back up the line of her body but skimming bare skin this time. Up to her breast. He toyed with her nipple, stroking it to attention.

  Every nerve rose at his touch, straining towards him like iron filings seeking a magnet.

  “Ash.”

  “Shh, we have all the time in the world, love.”

  No. She wanted him. Now. And he was taking his sweet damn time.

  He pulled back, but before she could whine about the loss of contact, he lifted her and quickly tugged the tee over her head, leaving her in nothing but her panties. He stared down at her, pausing when she wanted nothing more than to have his weight back on top of her.

  His eyes had turned completely molten, a sea of copper. And his breathing was heavy. Chest rising and falling even faster than her own. She reached up and ran her fingers along the dips and curves of his torso, catching little beads of sweat dotting his beautiful bronze skin.

  “I love you, Rayna.” He leaned down, resting one hand beside her head, the other toying with the waistband of her underwear. “You’re my other half. As much a part of me as my own soul.”

  Tears gathered in her eyes. Happy tears because she felt the same. “I love you, too.” She cupped his jaw, thumbs grazing the light stubble. “And I promise, nothing will ever split us up again.”

  Bold, but she’d do whatever she had to in order to stay by his side. They were better together.

  Forever.

  His mouth descended, kissing her neck and collarbone. His hot tongue following a path down her sternum, leaving a trail of wet heat that had her shivering as the cool air breezed over it.

  Then down past her navel. She groaned as he licked along the edge of her underwear, close to where she wanted him. But still too far away. She buried her hands in his hair, trying to clutch him closer. Harder. Anything to ease the ache inside her.

  “Ash, please.”

  He nipped her hip and she yelped, but the sound morphed into a moan when he slid her panties down. Slowly. Stopping to kiss her inner thighs before finally removing the scrap of lace.

  He spread her legs with his shoulders, her muscles straining because he was so damn wide. She didn’t care. As long as he didn’t stop. But he struggled to fit his massive body on the bed with her, shuffling around until he rose above her. With a curse, he gathered her into his arms, picking her up and switching their positions until she straddled him.

  She was on fire—not phoenix fire but it sure as hell felt like it—as he laid back and gripped her hips. He shifted her up so she knelt over his face. Anticipation swept through her like melted chocolate. Hot. Delicious.

  At the first stroke of his tongue between her legs, she cried out and reached for something to hold onto. No way was she keeping her balance with him doing that.

  “Hold onto the headboard, love,” he rumbled from beneath her, the light prickle of his stubble sending shivers through her body.

  Her hands found the thing on their own, her mind still drowning on the rush of pleasure one simple touch had brought. She wouldn’t survive this. She’d been right when she suspected she’d combust if he ever tried to seduce her.

  His mouth went back to work between her legs, ripping moans and cries from her as he held her in place. Both hands locked tight around her hips, fingers digging into her flesh and adding to the sensations washing through her.

  The smooth heat of his tongue laving over her. The softness of his lips when he kissed and toyed with her. And the rough graze of his chin thanks to his prickly stubble. The fact it was Asher between her legs.

  Her soulmate.

  The man she loved with a depth she couldn’t explain.

  He drove her to the brink. Until her mind was filled with twinkling stars. Until she wanted to fall off the edge of the damn world. Into bliss where nothing but the two of them existed.

  And then he brought a hand between her legs, slipping one, then two fingers into her. The other drifted up to cup her breast. Toy with her nipple.

  “Ash!” she screamed, probably waking the whole dormitory, but who fucking cared?

  Her body rippled with pleasure. Wave after wave crashing into her. Drowning her.

  She was still quaking when he gripped her waist and shifted them again, rising to settle her in his lap. With hasty, jerky movements, he shed the scrub bottoms, working awkwardly because she didn’t have the strength to kneel and make it easier for him. He’d turned her to jelly.

  His cock was harder than ever as he teased her with the tip, sending fresh waves through her. He kissed and licked her neck, one hand back on her breast as he guided her to the edge of the cliff again. Readying her for him. He didn’t have to work so hard. She was desperate to have him fill her.

  “Rayna?” he groaned against her neck, his need dripping from her name.

  “Yes.” Her gasp was barely audible, but he understood.

  He pushed into her. Slowly. Gently. Making her buck and arc a hundred times over before finally filling her. Then he stopped. Seated inside her, his skin blazing like a fucking furnace, he waited. Letting her adjust.

  She was too far gone. Too needy. If he didn’t move, soon, she’d lose it completely.

  With her hands on his shoulders, she lifted her hips, rising off of his cock before sinking back down.

  “Fuck,” he growled.

  “Yes.”

  He clutched her hips, setting up a rhythm that had her head spinning in seconds. She wouldn’t last. The skin on his shoulders cracked. Then his chest. Tiny flames coiled from within him, proving he was about to lose control as well.

  With a rumbly sound escaping him, he flipped her over, hovering above her and sinking his weight on her. Just as she’d wanted. Pure bliss. She arched against him as he drove into her.

  Deeper.

  Harder.

  Until she was gasping at every thrust of his hips. Until the flames licked around his shoulders and threatened to ignite into wings. His body heated. Hot enough to burn anyone else. She reveled in the warmth, let it consume her until she cried out again, falling into the inferno.

  Asher picked up the pace, pumping into her faster, until he tumbled into bliss with her. He roared and buried his cock deep inside her. His face fell into the curve of her neck. Hot air fanned her sweaty skin as they both tried to catch their breathing again.

  She struggled with his heavy weight presse
d on top of her, but hell if she was complaining.

  He finally rose, holding himself above her, eyes still liquid fire. “You okay?”

  She smiled and cupped his jaw. “More than okay. Perfect.”

  Lips quirked into that sexy half-smile, he shifted onto his side. His semi-hard cock slipped from her and she mourned the loss as he tugged her next to him. She rested her head on his chest, relishing the hard thumps of his heart as it slowed. Their breathing gradually returning to normal.

  His hand rubbed up and down her spine, fingers lightly trailing her skin. Keeping her nerves alive. Attuned to him.

  Her eyes grew heavier, sleep whispering at her door.

  Rayna.

  No.

  The star.

  Good thing her legs were too wobbly to listen. The last thing she wanted after a perfect night with Asher was another memory of Grim. She should tell Asher about him. Now was the ideal time.

  But she was too blissed out to form the words. Too lost in the incredible feel of him wrapped around her.

  Grim would just have to wait.

  For now, she wanted to enjoy the moment with Asher. Let him surround her in warmth and blot out the rest of the world with their wars and agendas. She just wanted this one night with him. Tomorrow was another day and they’d deal with whatever came at them.

  Together.

  Fifteen

  Rayna skipped official PE class the next day, using the time to grab an early dinner with Asher. Delilah joined them since, as a Psychic Realm student, she had a free period during PE. Ethan was busy attending class with Professor Matthis and the magical creatures in the barn and Autumn…was apparently avoiding them again, instead using the time to put in extra work in the greenhouses.

  Thank God they were all okay—completely unharmed after almost being burned to a crisp thanks to Nissa. The phoenix in question had already been discharged from the infirmary, though they were keeping a close eye on her.

  She guessed training the phoenix shifter was top priority after her near-explosion. Understandable. Something like that was a serious safety hazard.

  Rayna had talked with Kally after Introduction to Spiritual Realm class earlier in the day and asked if she’d train her since Asher would be working with Nissa. Kally had jumped at the idea—well, jumped at her to be accurate. She’d enveloped Rayna in a hug and vowed to be the best trainer.