Page 75 of Vicious Kings
"She needs to understand what she's dealing with." His strikes are coming faster now, harder. "Playing at being a helpless omega won't work if she can't even defend herself in a classroom setting."
"Pretty sure breaking your nose counts as defending herself."
That gets a laugh out of him, sharp and genuine. "It was well executed. I'll give her that."
"You liked it." I grin, pressing my advantage while he's distracted. "You actually liked that she headbutted you in front of twenty witnesses."
"She's interesting." He parries my strike with enough force to make my arms vibrate. "More interesting than every other omega at this university combined."
Yeah, that's what worries me.
I've seen Corvinus interested in things before. Art. Politics. Ancient magical theory. Women. When something catches his attention, he doesn't just study it. He becomesobsessed, diving so deep he forgets to eat, sleep, or even acknowledge that the rest of the world exists around him.
And now he's interested in a hunter omega who may or may not be here to kill him. That's what Locke thinks, at any rate.
This can't possibly end well.
The gym doors slam open with enough force to make both of us pause mid-strike. Locke stands in the entrance, and even from twenty feet away I can feel he's pissed. His energy is made for amplifying emotion, not hiding it, no matter how practiced he is at keeping it in check.
Oh fuck. Someone's in trouble.
"Professor," Corvinus says, lowering his blade with that infuriating calm he always manages when Locke's about to lose his shit. "We weren't expecting you."
"Clearly." Locke stalks into the gym. His magic is leaking, dark and dangerous, making the air taste like smoke. "Otherwise you might have remembered we had plans to discuss the security implications of your recent questionable decisions."
Corvinus and I exchange a look. Yeah, we're both in for it now.
"I assume you're referring to Billie Moreau's schedule adjustment?" Corvinus asks, all innocence.
"Adjustment. What a delightfully benign way to describe putting a hunter in a class filled with highly confidential information."
"She's an omega, not a hunter. Not anymore."
"She's both, you arrogant fool." Locke grabs a practice sword from the rack, the movement sharp and aggressive. "And you've given her access to defensive ward theory, combat applications, magical frequencies—everything she'd need to circumvent our security protocols."
"I've given her an education." Corvinus raises his sword again, recognizing the challenge. "Which she deserves if she's to become my bride."
"Your bride now?" I echo. Pet is one thing, but that's new.
Corvinus ignores me, of course.
"She deserves execution for infiltrating Fae territory under false pretenses!" Locke snarls.
Oh shit. This is going to get messy.
I step back, giving them room. When these two go at it, the smart move is to not be in the crossfire. I've got the scars to prove that lesson.
Their blades meet with a crack that echoes off the stone walls. Corvinus is good, trained since childhood in Seelie combat techniques. But Locke's been fighting since before the Fae even discovered Earth.
There's no contest, really. Just a prince who thinks his title means something and a professor who's been waiting for an excuse to remind him it doesn't.
"One class," Corvinus says, blocking Locke's strike with more effort than he'd like to admit. "I put her inoneclass."
"Liar." Locke presses the attack, forcing Corvinus back step by step. "I checked. You moved her into all your classes this morning. Every single one."
All our classes? Holy shit, Corvinus really is obsessed.
"So?" Corvinus's breathing is getting harder now, sweat starting to bead on his forehead. "How else am I supposed to get close to her?"
