Seducing the forbidden ice princes

Chapter Twelve

Eira’s POV

The early sunlight slipped through the windows of BlueMoon’s hall, yet it barely warmed the chill creeping down my spine. Throughout the night I had been mulling over yesterday’s events, each replay intensifying the ache in my teeth.

Lucien and Kellen must’ve felt the same way, but I couldn’t worry about that too much and I was even avoiding them when I could because my body was stupidly and actively reacting whenever they got too close.

Breakfast was still chaotic but the students tried to cover it up with conversation and forced grins. Eyes followed me as I entered and murmurs trailed behind, but I held my head high and moved with composure despite my pounding heart.

Then there was Kellen.

He rested against the frame of the door with that irritating smirk—half cruel and an extra something that unsettled and made me shiver. His gaze tracked me as if he were stalking me, and I hated sensing his eyes on me, since my body responded to him despite my desire to avoid him.

"Morning," I said, trying to appear nonchalant.

“Is that so?” he asked, his tone calm yet his fierce eyes piercing through me. “You seem like you’re on your toes, and that’s good since you never know what could happen.”

I stayed cold and tried not to react to the subtle warning. “It seems like you’re quite grumpy to be around until you've had your coffee. Morning again, Kellen”. And I nearly grinned when I sensed him stiffening at my sarcasm.

He remained silent, then, without a word, walked away as if he had reached a conclusion about me. My pulse quickened, not out of fear. Something far more intense—thrill because, weirdly, talking with him was always a gamble.

Lucien wasn’t at my side like he usually was during breakfast or lunch and I noticed him down the hall, composed as usual, his eyes surveying the area as if on the lookout for any threat. When our eyes met I felt somewhat reassured. He didn’t have to speak but his gaze told me to stay alert and be cautious.

The morning passed in a haze of lessons and Aria remained silent which was always a sign of something bad. Whenever she approached someone I heard her saying something but it was too low to hear and I felt uncomfortable.

By the end of the lesson, I realized something—Aria was causing people to question the claim and it created issues. Students began to doubt whether the princes genuinely wanted me, and if I was truly their mate or if I was just deceiving them.

I clenched my hands beneath the desk because Aria’s words didn’t affect me directly but I sensed her intentions. With the princes absent she remained like a powerful poison seeping through the room. I had to be sharper than her. Sharper than everyone else.

By the time lunch arrived I realized I couldn't remain dormant. I had to speak with Kellen and Lucien.

I left to meet Lucien who was calmly sipping tea in the student lounge, his face expressionless.

“Can I join you?” I asked, not waiting for his reply as I shifted a chair and sat down to face him.

He paused before turning his gaze toward me. “Did you even think about what you’re doing, what you’ve done by making this announcement?” he asked and I swallowed a lump in my throat, although it wasn’t an attack from him. “The claim was more than just simple information. It’s a provocation. And the people who don’t agree with it privately will do everything they can to bring you down, it doesn’t help that Kellen dislike you too”.

My heart sank. I was aware of the facts already, but listening to it made me anxious. But nevertheless, I need the scary authority and influence they both carry just in case Ares decides to play me dirty and pushed me to a corner with my nudes. If that time will ever come, I need the princes at my beck and call. They are my f*****g leverage against Ares and Aria.

“I know he doesn’t trust or like me” I said, attempting to remain composed. “But I’m not doing all of this to please him. I’m doing it to protect myself and I need others to believe I have the strength that comes from being with you guys, even if it’s… temporary.

Lucien sighed and tilted his head with a little look of concern in his eyes. “The power you have now can disappear in an instant so be careful Eira. Kellen… acts impulsively at times, so if he believes you're crossing a line, he’ll retaliate.

I nodded, making an effort to hide my anxiety. “I can manage this."

“Can you?” he murmured softly to himself before standing. “If you make a mistake, it won't only affect you. It’ll affect us too and that’s a risk we’re not willing to take”.

His subtle warning hit me deep. Lucien was typically composed, so when he talked like that it signified danger. I needed to be more cautious now or else everything would collapse.

After my classes that I couldn’t even pay attention to, I was walking across the courtyard when I sensed a shift. People were still murmuring, glancing my way but Aria was chuckling with a group of people who were now casting hateful and envious looks at me.

I knew she had a scheme in mind. It was evident in her posture, in the way she looked at me. But I reminded myself to inhale. Stay calm. Observe. And wait for the right time to act.

Then Kellen was coming towards me way too quick and my heart raced with fear and another feeling I shoved down because now wasn’t the right time for that.

“Don’t tell me you’re tired of this show already," he said in an icy breath. His words were mean and taunting, like he was trying to put more pressure on me. “The announcement doesn’t mean anything to me, at least in private. So do well to keep that in mind.

I stared at him, annoyance bubbling to the surface as my mouth opened before I could think. “I’ve not magically forgotten that. But even then, don’t assume that I’m scared of you because I’m not, not even a bit."

He nearly grinned. Nearly. “Well you should be." After just like that, he left me standing in the courtyard feeling anxious and unsettled.

When I reached my class, my thoughts were spinning. Aria’s schemes, Kellen’s hostility, Lucien’s warning, it all boiled down to one truth. Staying alive here needed more than merely claiming to be their mate or having them on my side in public. It required forging alliances and outsmarting enemies I didn’t even know existed.

Suddenly it dawned on me. I hadn’t realized one key thing about the attention I was getting. I represented something bigger. For some I posed a danger. For others, I had importance. Meanwhile, two princes stood at my side ,one with quiet threats and the other direct ones, both observing me in ways that got me hotter than needed.

But I still allowed myself a moment of happiness. I was no longer powerless. I had provoked them to move and to notice me. Even though I wasn’t safe yet from Aria and Ares, the rumors, or Kellen’s gaze, that had to count for something.

I inhaled deeply and straightened my back. Tomorrow meant another challenge, especially since the full moon was coming. It meant another conversation and another time where I needed to show my worth, and I would.

No matter what.