Page 88 of Jinx

Even though the new term didn’t start for another week, Quinn and Bellamy were leaving this afternoon. As instructors, they were required to return early to make sure the new term started smoothly. My heart was already hurting at the thought of going a whole week without either of them.

Even Quinn.

His blunt honesty during this morning’s conversation had been hard, but crucial. Just like his contributions at the hospital. The others would do their best to soften any blows and shield me from the cruel reality, but not Quinn. And I understood that it wasn’t because he aimed to hurt me. To him, honesty was the ultimate form of respect.

Moving down the central hall of the main floor, I followed the sound of rapid typing punctuated by a frustrated sigh. There was a room at the end that I hadn’t been in yet, its light spilling into the corridor from the partially open door. I stopped just outside and peeked in on what looked like an office.

A bay window consumed the wall opposite the door, filling the space with warm sunlight. The wall to the right was lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and to the left was an enormous dark walnut desk with two computer monitors. Alaric sat at the desk, hunched over a keyboard like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He didn’t notice when I pushed a little further into the room and leaned against the doorframe, content to watch him for a moment. His eyes were fixed on the screen in front of him, fingers tapping at the keys. The sleeves of his button-down were rolled to the elbows, exposing the corded muscles of his forearms.

“Prince?”

He startled, head snapping up as he swiveled his chair around. The surprise on his face quickly melted into a warm smile. “Pixie. I didn’t hear you come in.”

“I see that.” I approached the desk with hesitant steps. “Can we talk?”

His smile faltered. “Of course. Is everything okay?”

“I don’t know.” I fidgeted with my hair, twisting strands into a nervous braid. “Are we?”

Guilt nibbled at me, despite Rami’s earlier assurances that there would be no jealousy. Even now, I felt no trace of it from any of them, but Alaric and I had history. He was my first everything in our special dreamscape—was he upset that he didn’t get the same chance in the waking world too? It would only make sense if he was.

He got to his feet and wrapped me up in his warm embrace. “I know what you’re thinking,” he said. “I can practically hear your thoughts.” He pressed his lips to my hair while I twisted my fingers in his shirt, clinging to him.

“Shouldn’t it have been you?”

“It was me. For years.” His sure hands swept up and down my spine in smooth strokes as if he was painting a canvas. “That time with you wasn’t any less real than having you in my arms right now.” He paused, like he was chewing on the words. “Do you regret being with Rami last night?”

“No! It was—he was—” I pressed my face harder into his chest like it might smother the flames engulfing my cheeks.

“It’s okay, Pixie,” he said, a smile clear in his voice. “This is new for everyone, and we go at your speed. Don’t feel rushed by us or the bond. We have our whole lives now.”

I exhaled my worry with a nod, nuzzling my face against him. He was right—we had forever together, and I wanted to enjoy him without the stress and fear that was threatening to smother us.

“So.” I turned my face to look at the computer. “What’s got you so wrapped up?”

He pulled back and ran a hand through his soft brown hair, mussing it in a way that was entirely too appealing. “Just trying to get everything in order for our transition. There’s a lot to arrange.”

The computer screens displayed an array of information—floor plans, class descriptions, even emergency procedures. I snorted a laugh.

“Gryphon School has a website?”

Ric’s mouth quirked in a wry smile. “It’s a private portal for students and faculty, but yes.”

I leaned over the desk, eyes roving over photos of the academy. “Guess I should read the brochure. Wait.” I leaned closer, studying a picture of a group of students lounging in a grassy area. “Uniforms? Are you serious?”

That got a full laugh out of him, the sound warm and rich and filling me head to toe. He sat back down and grabbed my hips, pulling me into his lap. His arms wound around my waist like a life preserver in the middle of a stormy sea.

“Would it make you feel better if I told you it was a turn-on?”

I made an exaggerated groan. “You’re such a cliché.”

He responded by nipping at my neck until I squirmed, before moving the website portal front and center on the monitors. A slideshow began to play, and what unfolded looked like Oxford University had a love-child with Plato’s Academy. Gothic architecture mingled with Greek columns in a collection of main buildings and open-air structures. Thick forest, lush gardens, and a solitary mountain looming in the distance.

“Let me guess,” I deadpanned. “Mount Olympus.” Ric nodded with his chin on my shoulder, and I twisted to look at him with wide eyes. “Wait, seriously?”

“Olympus, Athene—it’s all in a sort of pocket realm,” he said. “Can’t have humans accidentally wandering in.”