Fallen Kings

11

“Thanks.” She slides her arms around my neck and draws me in for a kiss. As our lips meet, I forget about being a professor and lose myself in my feelings for her. At first, Olivia was a mystery I wanted to solve. Then she was a unique specimen I wanted to study. Now she’s become so much more.

I’ve never felt like this before. My mind has always shied away from emotional connections, except with the Princes, whom I’ve known most of my life. Uriel and I have never had a particularly loving relationship, and my mother Dina only had me as part of a business arrangement with my father. I’ve only met her a few times, and I haven’t seen her in at least ten years.

I don’t know anything about love or relationships. I never wanted or expected a partner. Yet I crave Olivia with every fiber of my being.

“I have to admit, it’s going to be hard to sit in your class and not want to jump you the entire time,” she says, as she runs her hands down my chest. “I seem to have a thing for sleeping with professors.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Just don’t add Raziel to your harem next.”

“Raziel? You can’t actually think—oh, you made a joke!” She playfully swats me on the arm. “Nice one.”

“I try.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her again, harder this time. Until we’re both breathing heavier, and I’m sure she’s feeding off my lust for her. But it’s not just lust I’m feeling…and perhaps it’s time to accept that.

Chapter Eight

Olivia

T

he door to the bell tower is unlocked, and I throw it open and charge inside, flipping on lights as I go.

Araceli trails behind me at a much slower pace. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“I’m sure this is an excellent idea.”

Our first week of classes is over, and we’re no closer to finding the Staff or uncovering the Order. I need to do something to get my mind off of things, and this is it.

I stand in the middle of the room with my hands on my hips and quickly scan the area. The large open space looks like it hasn’t been touched since the end of last semester, but all the furniture is still there. The big couch. Bastien’s armchair. The kitchen area. All abandoned…and ready for us to claim.

Footsteps in the hallway catch our attention, and I turn to see Eveanna standing there with a frown. “You summoned me?”

“Yes, you’re right on time!” I gesture for her to come inside. Even though she’s living on campus, since she doesn’t go to classes we hardly ever see her. I want that to change, especially since she’s good friends with my brother. “You remember Araceli?”

“Indeed. The angel with Summer Court blood.” Eveanna dips her head in acknowledgment. The overhead light shows some of the highlights in her hunter green hair, and it’s hard not to stare at it in awe.

“It’s good to see you again,” Araceli says, her eyes wide. Maybe she’s nervous to be around a full-blooded fae, but Eveanna doesn’t seem to mind Araceli’s heritage.

Eveanna glances around the bell tower, eyeing the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors that lead out to a balcony. “Why did you request my presence?”

“You’ll see,” I say with a grin. “We have one more person coming. Let’s rearrange the furniture a bit while we wait, and maybe wipe some of the dust off of things.”

“I shall take care of it,” Eveanna says. She c***s her head and the dust lifts off all the nearby surfaces and flies toward her. She swirls her hands, and the particles gather into a small ball of moving dust hovering in front of her. She then walks outside onto the balcony and spreads her arms far apart. The ball of dust disburses on the wind, disappearing from our sight instantly in the waning daylight.

“That was so cool,” Araceli says.

Eveanna walks back inside and gives us a nod. “In Faerie that would be the job of a lowly servant. Any Earth Court fae can dust their home without a thought. But I am pleased I can be of assistance.”

“Araceli has been learning fire magic over the break,” I say, smiling at them both. I’d really like the two of them to connect, which is one of the reasons I came up with tonight’s plan.

“My father’s been teaching me a little.” Araceli shrugs. “I still have a lot to learn though.”

“I would be happy to teach you what I can,” Eveanna says. “Though we are of different Courts, there are many things I can help you with.”

“That would be great,” Araceli says, her face brightening. “There’s so much more I want to learn about my heritage and my powers. Thank you.”

Tanwen lands on the balcony, her bright white wings spread wide and glinting in the fading sunlight. They disappear behind her back as she walks inside. “What’s going on? You told me to meet you here?”

“Yes, and now that we’re all here we can begin.” I grin and gesture at the space around us. “For years, this has been the domain of the Princes, but they’re gone and we’re taking it over. This is our space now. From tonight on, this is officially the Princess Lounge.”

Eveanna looks confused. “I didn’t think angel society had royalty.”

“We don’t, not exactly,” Tanwen explains. “The children of the Archangels are often called Princes though.”

Araceli nudges her with a grin. “Which makes you and Olivia Princesses.”

Tanwen scowls. “I guess.”