Shade Academy

Chapter 24

Even as the next morning came and went, I didn't leave my room. I skipped class, ignored all texts and calls and sealed my room magically so no one could get in. I wasn't rejecting Ashe, but I also was not ready to deal with everything yet. ten months ago I had been a normal-ish human going to normal classes and working dead end jobs to get by. Now, I was some super witch, that is apparently very rich and has four mates. That's not even mentioning the attempt on my life earlier this year. So in all honesty, how did they expect me to handle this? Say, oh, ok great ya, i get it. and just accept everything? 

My connection with Samuel was undeniable, Alex and Axel both had drawn me to them as well. But Ashe? It was different. I didn't just feel a draw to him, I felt connected. My magic responds to his. Even now I can feel my magic vibrating and thrumming in my veins. It hummed just below my skin, like it was just waiting for the best opportunity to be let out. None of the others affects me this way, affects my magic this way. 

If i wanted to be honest with myself I was scared. Scared of what my life had turned into, scared of the unknown power that was lying in wait, scared of what having four mates means, just scared. And I knew I didn't want to go through these fears alone, I didn't want to have to fold back into myself and let the world crush me. 

Sighing in resignation, I dropped the barrier I had put on my room. And before I could even take a step forward all four men tumbled into my room in one large heap. I covered my mouth with my hand in an attempt to hide my laugh but it was no use. I burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter. Just seeing all four burly men, piled and twisted into each other in a dog pile on the floor groaning was hilarious. "Wow! If that's not karma, I don't know what is." 

One by one they each untangled themselves and stood in front of me, scowls creasing their beautiful faces. "Anna! What the hell?" Axel fumed. His anger stopped my laughter cold. I narrowed my eyes at him and he shrank back a bit. "Look, I said we'd deal with it today. I never said when. And when a girl ignores all calls and texts and is left with no other choice but to put a magical barrier on her room then something is wrong. Apparently men are as oblivious not matter human or Supernatural. I needed to be alone, left alone and unbothered. 

Have any of you stopped for just a second and take into consideration what I've been through so far this year? Let me spell it out for you." I was fuming, raging with anger and I was on a roll. "1. I was torn from the human world and thrown into the supernatural world which I never knew existed. 2. I had an instant and inhumanly strong pull towards one of my professors, which really screwed with me at first. 3. I find out that not only Alex but Axel is my mate. 4. Someone attempted to kill me, in my own home, where both Samuel and Elana almost died in the crossfire." I shuddered at the memory. "And 5. I now find I am mated to not just a fae, but a Prince.

And in all honesty all of this scares and worries me. What does having four mates mean? And what does that mean for my power? What does having a prince as a mate mean? None of you have stopped to think about this. The only one who has an excuse is Ashe, because he wasn't here for the rest of it." I had started yelling by the time I was done, and all of them except Ashe hung their head in shame. Ashe just looked pissed. 

I sighed trying my best to compose myself. "Who?" Ashe grit out. I looked at him and c****d my head to the side in confusion. "Who tried to kill you?" Oh, so that's what he meant. "The rebellion." I told him matter of factly. "I killed one of them for hurting Samuel and let the other go to send a message to the others." His features relaxed slightly at my words. 

"I'm sorry Anna." Alex said as he stepped to me and grabbed my hand. "So are we." Samuel said as him and Axel made their way towards me. I gave them a small smile and nodded to them, not trusting my voice. No, I probably should not have exploded on them the way I did, but on the other hand they had not considered my situation once. 

"Anna?" Ashe's soft voice came from behind the others. His voice was off. He sounded scared, hurt even and I did not like it. My heart seized in my chest and my mouth dried. What could have this powerful man scared? "Yes, Ashe?" I asked cautiously. He took a few steps forward looking at his feet. "Are you going to reject me?" He whispered. 

This time I swear my heart stopped and my breathing got caught in my lungs. All bodily functions seemed to have frozen, even the intense buzzing of my magic under my skin stopped thrumming and sat lazily as if waiting for my response. By sheer force of will I closed the distance between me and Ashe and cupped his face in my hands pulling him to look at me. The hurt and brokenness in his eyes tore my heart to shreds. 

"No Ashe." I whispered. "No matter how new I am to this world I would never reject you or any of my other mates. You're mine, and no one or nothing can take you from me, do you understand?" I asked firmly. Pure joy and happiness now danced in his jewel like blue eyes and a broad smile crossed his face showing a dimple on his right cheek. "Yes, I understand." He responded smoothly. "Good." I said. "Now that, that is settled I need food, let's go eat." 

And without another word I took off out the door. I could hear the boys chasing after me and I peeked over my shoulder to see them. As they closed in I giggled, picking up the pace a little, trying to stay out of their grasp. But when arms encircled my waist I squealed a laugh as I was lifted into the air and spun around. "Caught you," Ashe whispered in my ear, the heat of his breath sending shivers down my spine. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stifle the moan that threatened to come loose. 

But something about him touching me this time, sent my magic into overdrive. It buzzed so intensely under my skin I felt as if my entire being was vibrating from it. Ashe must have felt it because his arms stiffened and he released his hold on me. It didn't stop the buzzing though, his power, his energy was feeding my own. I could feel his heart beating rapidly even though he was not touching me, I felt as his breathing picked up as he panted, I felt his magic running through him as if it were my own. 

Our bond, or connection whatever it was became a thousand time more intense in that moment. I felt everything as if it were my own body. I slowly turned to a wide eyes Ashe. "Wh..What's hap..happ..happening?" I manged to get out through the vibrations pulsing through me. Alex, Samuel, and Axel all stood behind us, beating on some kind of force field that has placed itself between them and us, worry, fear and concern laced their features. 

"It's our bond." Ashe whispered looking down at himself. Following his line of sight I saw a tattoo, or brand taking form on his fore arm. Two vine like crowns sat upon the heads of two regal looking beings. Their features were not inscribed but the love between them was obvious as the tattoo reached completion. The one I assumed was the man stood with his arms wrapped lovingly and protectively around the woman, holding her close to him. 

With curiosity I looked down at my arm and my eyes widened. It was the exact same, except the woman had her hand held firmly in front of her and some kind of light burst from her forming a halo type light around the two beings. It was beautiful. The woman was dressed in deep green robes, while the man was in blue. The light that surged from her hand and encased the two was such a vibrant gold that it shined. 

As the buzzing died down, and whatever the hell just happened stopped, I almost fell to the ground in exhaustion. Ashe caught me before I hit the ground and pulled me into his lap. I was too tired to open my eyes, too tired to speak or do anything. "What the hell was that?" Samuel demanded as I felt him kneel in front of me. "The bond of the royals." Ashe whispered in awe. "What does that mean?" Axel asked. His hand was rubbing up and down my cheek feather like. 

"It means that Anna although a witch is fae royalty. I don't know how, but she is. Other wise the bond of the royals would not have made itself known on our skin. I have never seen a bond quite like this one. I'll have to return home and do some research." Fear flooded me at his words and I found the strength to hold onto him firmly. "Don't worry my queen, I will remain here with you for the foreseeable future. I will not leave my queen unprotected, especially with assassins after her." 

I relaxed at his words. And slowly I felt my strength returning to me. I opened my eyes to see all four men around me. Ashe, held my head in his lap while Axel held one hand, Alex held the other and Samuel was softly rubbing up and down my arm. I had mated with Axel completing our bond, but this. This was worlds different. 

I groaned as I sat up, rubbing my head. "I don't know what that was, but if it happens again and I'm knocked on my ass again, I'm going to be pissed." I whined. Ashe laughed as he stood and hauled me to my feet. His arms stayed wrapped around me until he knew I was steady enough to stand on my own. "I heard what you said Ashe, what does this mean?" Ashe looked at me with uncertainty. "I don't know." He admitted. "There hasn't been a bond of royals in over two hundred thousand years." 

I threw my hands into the air in exasperation. "Great, perfect. Just another thing for people to use to label me a freak. No offence Ashe. The brand or tattoo or whatever it is, is beautiful and I love it, but it's just going to make me stand out more. But then again that may nor be a bad thing." I was ranting I knew I was, I don't think my mind can handle too much more. 

Finally sighing I turned back to my boys. "Come on." I said almost angrily. "I need food." Without another word I stalked off. I was so irritated that I could feel my eye twitching, which only irritated me more. I was grinding my teeth together as I made my way across the court yard to the dining hall. So when sirens started wailing around the Academy grounds I became furious. I all but roared my anger. "What the hell is it now?" I fumed. Axel, Alex and Samuel were staring at me with wide fearful eyes. "Intruders." Samuel said.