His jaw tightened as he looked away. I simply ignored him, not really understanding what his problem was, and began to eat the food that appeared in front of me. The commander’s table was comfortably silent but I could briefly hear the conversations flooding the room. Mainly about me. Shocking. I know.

  “Why the hell is she here?”

  “Better question, why with the commanders?”

  “Keep your goddamn voice down…”

  “I heard she can kill with just a touch, could you imagine fucking someone like that? Talk about living on the edge.”

  “I think it’s stupid she is here, pure fae kicked us out of their kingdoms and she walks her ass in here as if she’s important. Doesn’t seem fucking special to me.”

  I stopped eating and inhaled with frustration. I could feel my familiars come to life defensively as Lu made an appearance and crawled up across my shoulders. Sy stayed hidden for now. I would have liked to claim that I tried to stop Lu but I didn’t.

  “What the ever living hell?” Zed cursed as Cannon grunted but didn’t move. I let Lu circle around my waist and then arm before coiling on the other side of my plate facing the crowd. The onyx cobra silenced the room and I couldn’t blame them, he was enormous and his fangs hung down as if tempting someone to try something. I ran my fingers over his dry warm scales and it soothed me. I continued to drink my wine taking solace in how quiet it was despite the stares I felt on me. I didn’t even bother eating. I’d gone so long without food and it made me nervous to ever accept anything because I felt like it came with attachments.

  “Maize,” Valerio demanded my gaze and I met his frustrated expression before I shrugged. I wasn’t going to apologize for them doing their job. Familiars not only aided in an overflow of magic but were also protective when their owner felt defensive. It was odd because I knew some familiars were shifters, like Queen Gray’s. Others though were pure animals like mine. I think I preferred that. I wonder what they would be like if they could change into a human form… probably bitchy still.

  “She’s reacting to what they are saying.” Philip stated seriously, “You should be glad the snake isn’t killing anyone.” Thank you! I wanted to hug the man a bit. Not to feel his muscles of course.

  Valerio closed his eyes, grunting, and stood, “I really assumed that a lot of you were old enough to not be so childish, but since that doesn’t seem to be the case an introduction would be best.”

  I really didn’t think that was necessary.

  “Maize?” Valerio stated and I stood up easily, Lu moving to snake around my waist and rest his head on my shoulder. I lifted my hand for him to nuzzle my skin on instinct despite half of them staring at me like I was crazy. What? Would he poison me? Would Sy? No. I wasn’t worried. They should be though.

  “Maize is from the Dark Fae land and currently under Red Masques protection,” his voice sharp, “if I hear another word out of anyone’s mouth, I will personally see to their punishment. Understood?” That dangerous magic blanketed over me as every face in the audience paled. Alright, well that was a bit sexy.

  “Now,” Valerio drawled, “go back to fucking eating or else we will have training tonight.”

  I was glad to not be part of the academy right now.

  My head dipped to thank Valerio as I fought the urge to phase out while sitting down. I tended to do so in the face of emotional or physical abuse that I couldn’t stop. I knew this wasn’t exactly the same but I found myself getting dizzy anyway. Lu’s weight on my shoulder was comforting. I knew if I didn’t hold onto reality I would literally shadow shift through the mist and end up somewhere else in the Horde. It was such a hassle when my magic wouldn’t work with me.

  “You need to go rest.” Lu whispered after a few minutes of silently eating, “You’ve been going nonstop.”

  “I know,” I looked in the snake’s emerald eyes. “I feel rude excusing myself.”

  “Don’t.”

  My eyes trailed up and half the commanders were staring at me openly as I flushed. What was everyone’s problem?

  “You can speak to the snake?” Charm demanded sharply as Chait shook his head because well, obviously, Charm, that is the case.

  “And to me fuckers,” Sy announced while crawling over Lu and jumping onto the table. Predictably everyone jumped back as I smiled at her. Like a trapeze artist, she crawled over my outreached hand and swung back and forth before landing on top of my shoulder.

  “Maize for the love of the fucking maker--” Zed’s voice disappeared slightly as I sighed softly but sadly, tilting my head back. Tears threatened just a bit but I kept it together offering an exhausted expression. Everyone was so scared of us three. Always so scared. Although, I wasn’t positive if these men were actually scared. I didn’t really care.

  “Listen,” I sighed feeling tired and addressing the commanders quietly, “if you don’t mind I am going to go to bed.”

  “Maize,” Philip demanded quietly.

  Instead of listening, I took my two familiars, easily blending back into my skin and able to go through clothing, and walked down the steps towards the main doors. Every single eye focused on me as I tried to keep myself calm. It had been the same with SE, did I expect anything else? I was pretty to look at and dangerous. That was it though. When footsteps sounded behind me, I prepared for it to be one of the commanders. Except I paused and turned only to find someone different with far less power and a sweet smile. Oh.

  “Hi,” he stated, his ears pink as he offered me a goofy grin, “I just wanted to welcome you here. I know what you probably heard and it doesn’t reflect well on the majority of us. I am so sorry about that.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at the act of kindness, “Thank you. That’s sweet but it doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Still, as a unit lead I wouldn’t want you thinking this was how the academy always acted,” he frowned, “that is only one-fourth of the recruits here.”

  Shit, that’s a lot of men.

  “Well, thanks for letting me know.” I offered a hand to gauge just how nervous he was around me, “What’s your name?”

  “Alexander,” he flashed me a single dimple while meeting my hand easily. He was cute. His body was lean and he seemed younger like myself. A silky strand of dark brown hair fell on his forehead to hide his warm chocolate eyes.

  “Maize,” I dropped my hand after, not wanting to risk hurting him.

  “If you are free later, I would love to--”

  “Get back to eating,” a smoky voice rang out. Charm. I was going to kill this motherfucker. He probably got a kick out of bothering me.

  Alexander’s eyes flashed with annoyance as he winked at me but it didn’t seem tainted with any sexuality, just honest friendliness, “Just being friendly.”

  Charm’s jaw ticked as he looked down at the kid. “Be friendly elsewhere.”

  “Yes, sir.” He saluted him and walked off. I held back an authentic laugh. Silence permeated the hall as amusement fled.

  “You didn’t need to do that,” I stated, my voice exhausted as I met Charm’s intense gaze.

  Charm’s yellow eyes darkened to gold, as he spoke, “I don’t want you endangering our men.”

  Ah. I bit the inside of my cheek as the pain sliced through me. That was a harsh truth if I’d ever heard them. I nodded and met his gaze, a slight wince taking over from whatever he saw there. It was gone as soon as it appeared left with nothing.

  “Well,” I stated softly, “I am certain that they would appreciate your concern. Night, Charm.”

  I wish I could say I walked upstairs like I wasn’t bothered by his asshole words. Instead, my wings unraveled over my sweater, clothes never being a true issue because let’s face it, the shit could mold to my skin, and I lifted off the ground. With an easy glide, I went straight up through the stairwell all the way to the sixth floor, my feet landing with certainty. Then I let a single tear fall.

  A single tear was all I got when I wasn’t having a night terror.

  This wasn’t new, no matter how friendly they were. I was alone and Charm would ensure that never changed here. I didn’t disagree with him but shit did it hurt. I wouldn’t admit that it hurt in large part because he was my mate, but that is exactly why. My lips pressed together as I walked into my room and shut the door, locking it. It wouldn’t stop them, specifically Chait, but it would make me feel as though I could be alone.

  I changed into a soft oversized t-shirt and kicked off my boots before crawling into the massive bed. The stone floors were covered in thick carpets and the windows were high with dark framing. I could see the setting sun outside and once again I took a moment to appreciate that I slept in my own room and my own bed without fear of being beaten. The candles made the room dark and soft as the sheets wrapped around me in a safe cocoon.

  I prayed that the nightmares would stay away tonight. I needed that.

  Chapter 6

  Philip

  I was close to killing Charm.

  “You can only be a bastard for so long, Charm,” I goaded, interrupting his staring as he stood at the bottom of the stairs watching her soar up six stories. The minute she had turned away he had deflated and a grimace had taken over letting me know he was bullshitting about what he said to her. Which didn’t surprise me. He could be such an asshole when it came to any type of change.

  “I meant what I said,” he growled.

  “Right,” I rolled my eyes, “or you were jealous she was talking to Alexander.”

  His eyes flashed black. “What the hell do you know? You were hanging all over her today like a pup.”

  “Because I like her,” I let my lip curve at the surprise in his gaze, “which means that I’m going to need you to go apologize to her about what you said.”

  He scoffed as I offered him a look that would intimidate most men. Charm paled slightly and spoke, “I’m not doing it, and she is dangerous. I believe that.”

  “No doubt, she is naturally dangerous,” I walked forward looking up where she disappeared, “but her intention is not to harm. I would go as far as to accuse her of being naïve of malicious thoughts that didn’t include kicking your sorry ass. So if you want her away from the other men here, outside of our team, you are going to have to do better than insult our sweet girl with concepts she’d never consider.”

  “Our sweet girl?!” he growled, “You just fucking met her.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you,” I began walking up the stairs, “I feel a tug towards her like I’ve never experienced.” I flashed a smile, “I, and you would be a dumbass to not follow our instincts.”

  Without another word to the oversensitive and brooding bastard and one of my best friends, I walked towards our wing of the Academy. I knew exactly why he was being such an asshole and it 100% had to do with the extreme reaction his demonic nature had towards her presence. So he got defensive.

  That wasn’t surprising and very characteristic for Charm in fact.

  I had no qualms about my reaction. Now, I wasn’t saying I knew what the hell this was but I felt very comfortable with the idea of exploring it. And exploring her. A lot. Every mouthwatering inch of her skin. I found myself wanting to know every line and curve.

  My mouth twisted knowing my obsessive nature was getting the best of me. Oh well.

  My hand lifted to her door and I stopped cold. I could feel her power wrapping around me seductively but far more relaxed than before and I realized she was sleeping. She had probably been exhausted. It was hard to fight the urge to delve into her dreams.

  As an alchemy mage and ink mage, my powers were unique. As in I shouldn’t exist. Matter manipulation and creating something out of nothing was my restriction. The sticking point? I could only weave within dreams. It was a terrifying power that didn’t do any damn good when I was in battle but helped in the long term. Many times I’d walked around inside someone’s head and messed shit up in order to convince them not to do something. Or to scare them so badly they never left their room. Right now? I wanted to see what crept across her subconscious as she left the mortal plane.

  Did I dare? Of course, I fucking did. I placed my hands and forehead against the door and focused pushing past her smoky barriers. Icy winds wrapped around me and I shivered trying to sink into her very being. My jaw clenched as I took in the scene in front of me.

  Maize was slumped against the wall of a stone cell, the sound of laughter echoing from upstairs as her breathing grew labored. Around her wrists were iron shackles and the walls behind her, where she was chained, had iron installed against it. Burning her back. I felt rage boil under my skin and I found myself trying to control my reaction, knowing being upset about the past didn’t do any damn good. I could see the pain in her body though and when she looked up, her eyes met mine. Clear and reflective like moonlight but focused on me, letting me know she knew I was in her dream. Not that I’d even attempted to hide it, truth be told.

  “Philip,” She whispered, “didn’t anyone ever tell you dreams are private?”

  It was a dry, sad tone as if she wasn’t surprised in the least that I was here in her dream, invading her privacy. I wish I could tell you I felt guilty but the rage was still riding me hard so I walked forward and crouched down, resisting the urge to capture her in my arms. It was freezing and her skin looked nearly blue in the small scrap of fabric she was wearing.

  “Where are we, Maize?” I asked quietly, feeling as if my throat was lodged with rocks.

  “King Mario’s dungeon,” she stated in a resigned tone. Before I could respond the doors behind me flew open and I snapped my head around, watching a mean motherfucker locking sights on her, straight through me. I was momentarily distracted by how she was able to resist and see through our magic, but not distracted enough to not stop the violence that this asshole so clearly wanted to inflict on her.

  “You should go,” she whispered, her voice floating across my skin as she curled further into the wall. The bastard lunged forward, smelling strongly like alcohol, and wore his malicious intent all over his goddamn face. I snapped, letting my power wrap around his feet like inky mist as he dropped through the floor disappearing right as her cuffs broke open. Her mouth opened slightly as she stared at me with a confused expression. I grabbed her bloody burned wrists in my hands and tried to not look down at her pretty mouth too much. Not right now at least.

  “You know this is a dream, right? It can’t hurt more than it did when it happened.” She spoke, her voice hoarse.

  A wave of fury washed over me as my shadow’s inky magic seeped out to wrap around her protectively. I could feel my control slipping the angrier I became. She swallowed, but let them tighten around her, not breaking our intense eye contact.

  “It shouldn’t have happened and won’t happen anymore,” I promised softly.

  Her jaw clenched as she shook her head, “What the hell are you going to do, Philip? Spend every night in my dreams?”

  “Yes.” It was true. I would. The longer my magic wrapped around her, the more I could begin to peer into that delicate skull of hers. I could see the panic rising, but I couldn’t bring myself to pull back or give her space.

  “I need to wake up,” she groaned, her eyes closing. “This isn’t real--”

  Before I could say anything, I was yanked back out of her dream as she watched in shock. My vision went black, and I grunted, looking at Valerio, his jaw tight and eyes dark. I tugged away from him and pressed my hand to her door, not hearing anything on the other side. Scratch that, I heard a small soft sound, and my entire chest pulsed with pain. I didn’t even realize Valerio was talking until he shook my shoulder.

  “Philip, what the fuck are you doing?” he demanded.

  I turned from the door and fixed him with a look, “Helping her out of a goddamn nightmare, that you pulled me out of.”

  Valerio’s jaw clenched, “Her dreams are none of your business--”

  “Shut it,” I snarled and knocked on the door. I could tell he was surprised by how worked up I was, but to be fair, I had felt like we’d been closer to her agreement that would allow me to surf through her dreams each night. Provide her comfort. Suddenly, the concept seemed immensely important to me.

  “Maize, sweetheart, please let me in,” I called as silence greeted me. I knew she wasn’t sleeping anymore and my magic was anxious, not being able to be part of whatever was happening to her. I grunted putting my head against the door before turning to Valerio as he offered a narrowed eyes glare.

  “I don’t understand,” he admitted looking wholly confused.

  Instead of answering, I walked towards the next open door and pushed into and through Valerio’s room. He cursed as I walked into the main room and went to see if her other door was unlocked. I sighed, sinking against the wall slightly after hearing a sharp lock. Message received loud and clear, Maize. I had to admit it hurt, but I didn’t bother her; she was upset and probably felt violated. I had fucked up, but I didn’t regret stopping her dream.

  Without much thought, I slid down the wall and stared at her door. Fine. I would fucking sit here and wait till she fell asleep so she would have to talk to me.

  ∞∞∞

  Or she wouldn’t. Or she could stay up all night and I could drive myself crazy. It was crazy, wasn’t it? I barely knew this woman, yet here I sat wanting to know more about the haunted look in her eyes. Wanting to know everything that was Maize.

  Obsessive nature? Understatement of the fucking century.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Chait materialized in the early morning, looking freshly showered for training. I wondered if she would let him in.

  “I have been trying to convince Maize to let me in all night, and no, that sounds way worse than it was. I had pulled her out of a nightmare and she won’t let me back in--”

  Chait chuckled softly offering me a sympathetic look that actually made me a bit furious. “Philip, Maize not only values privacy but doesn’t let anyone get closer to her than surface level, it took Maddox and me almost six months until we could even hug her--”

 

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