Page 123 of Wicked Heirs

Sure it wasn’t.Damnation.

“The point is, it’s a go to tell her.”

Before we could wrap it up completely, a knock sounded through his suite at the door.

A flare of Orpheus’ magic caught my eye before he reported, “It’s Alena.”

I frowned. “I thought this was ouroffnight with her, that she had a ton of studying to do?”

“It is.”

A sheepish look played on Tal’s face.

“What did you do?” I asked.

“Baby bird?”

“I didn’t want her to go hungry or forget to eat, so I had the cafeteria deliver some dinner to her.”

“Now who’s the romantic one?” I said. “Impressive, firebird.”

He beamed out at me. “Thanks.”

Orpheus ruffled his hair as he passed him by. “Let’s not keep our lovely Alena waiting.”

We followed him as he led the way to the door.

With a wave of his hand, he brought down his ward, and then he was there opening the door, Talon and I flanking him on either side.

“Wow,” Alena breathed at the sight of all three of us suddenly right there in her space.

She was dressed in workout clothes, a pair of pink floral print bootcut yoga pants with a matching baby-pink sports bra, and her hair was pulled into a high ponytail.

“Going for a run?” I asked her.

“What about studying?” Orpheus asked, always intense when it came to her wielding her magic and learning as much as she could, whenever she could.

“Actually, that’s why I’m here.” She beamed at Talon. “Andthank youfor dinner. It was amazing, and so sweet of you to think of it.”

“My pleasure, firecracker,” he said, smiling from ear-to-ear at her acknowledgement of his thoughtful gesture.

She looked at Orpheus. “Rumor has it that you’re an expert swordsman?”

“You got all that from the memory I showed you and my very brief display of skill during the class you observed?”

“And word around Electi Academy. I just enrolled in theWeaponry and Warfareclass, and Professor Marlowe suggested I get in some practice before the first class, because all the students have experience under their belts, like you, and it’s gonna be the focus of the next couple of weeks.”

“Ah, well, you came to the right being, little angel.” He ran his gaze over her. “Judging by your attire, you want to do this now, yes?”

“If it’s okay. I know you guys were hanging out tonight having a boys’ night, and it’s barely started yet, so I get if—”

“We were only doing that because you were busy,” I told her.

Orpheus snapped his fingers and in the next moment he had a broadsword grasped in either hand.

He tossed one to Alena and she caught it easily.

“Hmm, good start.”

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