Blood Cursed Princess

Chapter Sixteen - Tommie

The moment I opened my eyes, I felt sore. It took me a few seconds to remember why. I had slept with Niall last night. Multiple times. I muffled a scream. Trying to move, I noticed that an arm was holding me in place. Slowly, I turned back and ended up face to face with Niall. He was still profoundly asleep. He looked so at peace. My heart fluttered. What have I done ? With precaution, I managed to extract myself from his arms without waking him. I immediately felt cold. I needed to get dressed and clear my mind. If I thought I was in a big mess before, this was nothing compared to this. The more I looked at my body, the more horrified I grew. My skin was sprinkled with bruises, marks and sore pains. I didn’t forget anything. That night was vivid clear in my head and what a night. I’d never experienced anything like that before. The memories were enough to make me blush. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not that I didn’t enjoy it. I did, a lot. Still, it was a mistake. I had been careless with the ointment and forget the most elementary rule: to avoid touching it directly. We weren’t supposed to have such a strong reaction though. I glanced at Niall who was still peacefully sleeping amid the cushions. I had to mentally slap myself to quit staring at his body. I took a last look though, to scan him magically. He seemed pulsing with mana. Good. At least it worked. I didn’t know how but it did. I was about to pass my top on when I felt a presence. I tensed up and turned to face the door. Oz was standing there, dreadful. Oh crap.

« What exactly is the meaning of this ? »

His voice was as cold as ice. I quickly finished dressing up, blushing again. s**t. And that top wasn’t covering much anymore. Agitation behind me indicated that Niall was probably awake now.

« I didn’t know you’d be home so early », I said

« It’s obvious you weren’t expecting me. »

That… ! I was getting angry but it was ok, I’d rather be angry that ashamed. I knew anger and I could manage it. I was on familiar ground here.

« If you’ve got something to say, spill it out, Oz. I’m not in the mood for sarcasm and riddles. »

My friend grew paler, which wasn’t a good sign. He was getting mad too. It never ended well when we were both angry.

« I leave for what, two days, and you jump in feet first in the biggest mistake of all ? Did you pick at eenie menie miney mo ? »

I sensed Niall next to me before I saw him. His anger was almost palpable and his mana was caressing my skin like an old lover. I focused on my anger.

« What make you believe you have any right to judge what I do or don’t do ? Last time, I checked I was my own grown-up woman and this was my house ! You don’t get to barge in and spout nonsense to me ! »

Seeing that he wasn’t getting the upper hand with me, Oz turned his dreadful attention to Niall.

« How was it, boy ? Did you enjoy your little rodeo ? »

I was shocked. That was very insulting, even on Oz’s standards. The shock made me react too late. Niall had grabbed the front of my supposed friend’s shirt. The air was vibrating with magic and animosity.

« I don’t care who the f**k you think you are », Niall rumbled, « but don’t you dare disrespect her. »

I grasped his arm to make him let go. The last thing I needed was for this to turn into a hustle. Tingles were spreading in my hand. I gathered resolution, hoping my voice would follow, and said:

« Niall, let go. I’m used to Oz being an asshole. »

« Is that a excuse ? » he asked in return without even looking at me

« No but I can fight my own battles. »

« Do what she says, boy », grinned Oz

I punched his solar plexus and he fell down, mumbling in pain. Then, I firmly pushed Niall outside of the room. We went down the stairs in silence. Magic was still cracking around him. He was as a human-like walking bonfire. Look at our new little wizard getting all wrapped up. I couldn’t help but smile. I glanced up one last time before entering the kitchen and caught Oz’s eyes. Something told me I wasn’t done hearing about this. I sighed and entered the kitchen.

One look at Niall and I knew I was good for another discussion I’d rather not have. I pretended not to notice and headed towards my kettle. I needed a hot cup of tea if I wanted to get through this day.

« Would you like some tea ? » I asked casually

« Yes please. »

I filled the kettle with water and put in on before opening the cupboard to grab two cups. When I turned back, Niall was staring at me.

« Should we talk about it ? »

« What is there to say ? » I asked back

He was obviously looking for his words from the other side of the counter. Did I voluntarily put it between us ? Maybe. I wasn’t too sure of my self-control this morning.

« Would you have left without a word if I didn’t wake up when I did ? »

« Of course not », I lied

Please Goddess, make it look convincing. I felt like his eyes could see right through me and I hated that.

« How do you feel ? », I asked to cut his interrogatory

« Full. Powerful. Satisfied. »

I blushed slightly. How could he say that while looking me out in the eyes ? Thankfully, the kettle whistled. I turned my attention to it and poured hot water in the mugs.

« Milk ? Sugar ? »

« Both please. »

By the time I finished preparing the cups, he was standing right behind me. I put the mug on the the counter in front of him a little harder that I had to. Obviously, all the effects of the ointment hadn’t wear off yet.

« What happened last night ? »

« Well… we got caught up with one of the side effects of the ointment and the magic mixed up with it and… it happened. »

I shrugged. It was the maximum I could tell him right now. I suspected other theories but I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell them out loud just yet. The all point of the operation wasn’t to fill him with mana but here he was, charged up like a battery. The only explanation was that I triggered a s*x ritual by accident. That thought horrified me. I wasn’t a wee witch, I was a full mature one. I was supposed to know what I was doing and not ending up in highly s****l magic intercourse.

« And… where does that leave us ? »

« At the exact place it all started. Magic will wear off and it will be like nothing happened. »

Niall frowned, visibly upset. What was he expecting exactly ? Me, falling heels over head for him after one torrid night ? I wasn’t that frivolous.

« Look… »

« Oh goddess, are you the clingy type ? Niall, I’m sorry I didn’t anticipate this could happen but I am well aware now and it won’t happen again. »

« Why not ? »

I was the one to frown this time. Why was he so stubborn ? Wasn’t he supposed to be sweet and accommodating ? Misleading advertising, really. He might have taken my silence the wrong way because the next thing I knew, I grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer.

« So it was all the magic talking ? »

« Yes », I lied to him. I was lying to myself anyway so why not after all

« I can feel your pulse going erratic », he said bluntly

He strengthened his grip when I tried to free myself. He was standing there, embodiment of confidence and strong-will. Did he steal it from me last night ? I felt unsure, I needed to fall back quickly before he broke my defences. Big mistake. As I stepped back, he followed and I ended up trapped between the counter and his body. He was too close, way too close. My heart was pounding in my chest and my mouth felt dry. What was wrong with me ?

« What are you doing exactly ? » I barked, trying to sound pissed off

« Proving my point », he answered, caressing my arm. « Tell me to stop. »

« Stop », I mumbled

Magic was giving me goosebumps and I struggled to keep memories from last night away.

« Say it like you mean it », he said. His hand rushed my neck. « Look at me, Tommie. »

I didn’t even realise I had closed them. The way he pronounced that sentence was my downfall. I opened my eyes and all I could see was two blue lakes. f**k. I kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Niall grunted against my lips and pressed his pelvis against mine. His hands were venturing in my back, pressing me even more against him. Like there was somewhere else I’d rather be. He lifted me so I could sit on the counter and I used my legs to imprison him. He had no idea which devil he unleashed. I pulled off his t-shirt and lick his skin right above his collar bone. Niall grunted again and pulled my hair so he could kiss me more. His tongue went searching for mine and I welcomed it. But at that moment, my phone rang. I snapped out of it. It was Esmée’s ringtone. s**t.

« Niall, stop », I said trying to catch my breathe and my phone at the same time.

« Don’t answer », he said, his lips wandering around my belly

« Stop. »

I held him back firmly and he stopped. His expression was undefinable, I had no time for this anyway.

« Hello ? »

« Tommie, hi. It’s me. Sorry for bothering you. »

« You never bother me. What is it ? Did something happened ? »

« No, no. Don’t worry. I wondered… would you have breakfast with me ? Though it’s late and you might have classes so tea maybe ? »

I glanced at the clock. Indeed, I was running really late. And I still needed a shower. And other clothes.

« Okey for a tea later. »

« Great ! See you later ! »

She hung up and a terrible feeling fell upon me. Guilt. I jumped off the counter and Niall didn’t try to hold me back.

« We’re running late », I said avoiding his eyes. « You should go if you want to open in time. I have to run in the shower before I’m even more late. »

« Sure », he agreed. His face was expressionless. « Another lesson tonight ? »

« I’ll let you know. »

I rushed out of the room. He knew where the door was anyway.