Page 91 of Vicious Kings
I think about Caelyx's sharp teeth, the way he'd looked at me like he was deciding where to take the first bite. "I've heard the rumors."
"And you're not worried?"
"I don't think I'd taste very good." I shrug, going back to arranging pillows. "Too bitter."
That actually gets a laugh out of her. "You're insane."
"So I've been told."
We work in surprisingly companionable silence for a few minutes, and I'm struck by how much easier this is than it was a week ago.
Olivia's still prissy and obsessed with her appearance, still makes me want to scream with her constant humming and perfume-spraying.
And I'm sure she finds me at least as perplexing.
But she hasn't tried to get me killed yet, which puts her ahead of most people at this university. I wouldn't say we're friends, but we're not enemies either.
Progress.
"Ladies." Madame Silvaine's voice cuts through my thoughts. "Let's see what you've created."
She glides over to our station and her silver eyes sweep over our nest, taking in every detail with scrutiny.
"Interesting," she says, and I can't tell if that's good or bad.
"I helped quite a bit," Olivia offers quickly, clearly trying to cover for my obvious lack of enthusiasm. "Billie's still getting used to the whole nesting thing."
Madame Silvaine's lips twitch. "I can see that. The defensive pillow placement is rather... telling."
Fuck. I thought I'd hidden that better.
"However," she continues, running one perfectly manicured finger along the edge of a silk throw, "the overall composition shows promise. The balance between protection and invitation is actually quite sophisticated for a first attempt."
Wait. Did she just…complimentme?
"Thank you, Madame," Olivia says, beaming.
"Keep practicing, ladies. By the end of the semester, I expect to see nests worthy of royalty from both of you." She moves on to terrorize the next pair, leaving us in her wake.
"See?" Olivia nudges me with her elbow. "You're not terrible at this."
"Don't get used to it. I'm still planning to burn this whole nest the second she's not looking."
Across the room, Isabella and her crew have been glaring at me the entire class. Their nest looks like something out of a magazine spread with flowing fabrics in coordinated shades of emerald and gold, pillows arranged in artful patterns. I think Isabella's is supposed to look like a flower. Every detail screamslook how desirable I am.
It's making me nauseous just looking at it.
Isabella catches me staring and her smile turns predatory. Great. She's definitely planning something.
So much for thinking she'd moved on.
Anastasia's words come back to haunt me like prophecy. Thanks to Corvinus, I've made an enemy out of the one omega on this campus I actually need to watch out for.
The bell rings, saving me from having to endure any more passive-aggressive nest judging. I help Olivia dismantle our creation, carefully folding the expensive fabrics.
"I have Weapon Enchantment next," I say, shouldering my bag. "You?"
"Advanced Courtly Dance." She makes a face. "Three hours of learning how to waltz without stepping on Fae toes. Kill me now."
