Page 108 of The Powers of Nyx

“Orion,” someone hissed, their sharp, nasally voice cutting through the hum of whispers coming from the students. “What in Mab’s name are you—?”

Another figure entered the make-shift arena we were in. He was tall, over six-feet, with silver-white hair and sharp features, a frown branded across his face. He was handsome in a wicked, ethereal kind of way. Like it was clear he wasn’t human. And based on the point of his ears, he was Fae.

For some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He—Orion, the other girl had called him—didn’t bother looking at Vanya and I as he turned to the three mages.

“Your show of power is embarrassing,” he said, voice dripping with disdain and boredom. Something about the way he spoke sent a shiver down my spine. “Not only for you, but your families.”

Silver-eyes sneered at Orion, but the other two looked a little more hesitant. Who was this guy? Even the other students looked uncomfortable as he chastised the mages.

“You have a boner for the witch-bitch?” silver-eyes asked, and the silence that followed was so heavy and thick, you’d hear a pin drop. “Or can’t she fight for herself?”

I gritted my teeth, but felt Vanya take my hand. As soon as our eyes met, I realised just how worked up I was. My magic was a simmering pot ready to boil over, and the longer we stood here listening to the misogynistic asshole, the more likely I was going to blow up. And though I liked how Rowan and Elias had stayed back, I needed them now more than ever.

I was one step away from blowing his ass through the doors behind him. And based on the damaged threads of my magic and bonds, that could mean total catastrophe.

At least it would teach him not to fuck around again.

God, I’m not cut out for this.

Orion sighed, the sound cutting through the silence. “Are you done with your tantrum, or do you need a few more minutes before you rejoin the rest of us? Because this—” He waved a hand, motioning to silver-eyes and his body, “—just makes you look weak and pathetic. You’re picking a fight with a new charm witch for no other reason than because it makes you feel big. But you’re a coward, Lain. You know that, and now, so do we. And that doesn’t bode well for you.”

Another shiver ran down my spine, one of awareness and maybe even...fear.

Something about what he was saying must have finally connected with silver-eyes, because the mage dropped his flames and took a step back. Those hateful, angry eyes fell on me. “He won’t always be here to protect you.”

I snorted. “Funny that. It sounds like he was protecting you more than me.”

Whatever power Orion had over the crowd dissipated, and snickers followed silver-eye’s retreating form. So, maybe I was still a target, but for now, he was gone.

I still wanted to take the win.

My shoulders slumped, and I spared Vanya a look. Her lips were twisted in a smirk, eyes bright. There was a slight flush to her cheeks as she grabbed my hand and tugged me towards the door to our lecture hall. I glanced over my shoulder to get one last glimpse of Orion, but he’d already disappeared, re-entering the crowd of students, probably joining the people he’d been with earlier.

Turning back to Vanya, I asked, “Who was that?”

“Only the most powerful and eligible male in this Goddess forsaken academy,” she gushed. “Ever since he arrived, he’s been at the top of this place power wise. And since he’s also a Fae prince,everyonewants to be near him. He’s slated to take his father’s position on the Council. Ugh, and he’s just so...”

“Handsome?” I finished.

She grinned. “Yes. But more than that. And he doesn’t letanyonetouch him. Like, at all. The last time someone tried to, they were found in the marshes behind the academy three days later.” Vanya visibly shuddered as she claimed a seat towards the back of the hall. “So, not only is he powerful and hot, he’s also terrifying. The fact that he stepped in...” She shook her head. “Maybe he does have a boner for you, Ivy.”

My stomach twisted, and although her words were teasing, there was something about them that had me worried. I couldn’t find a reason for the anxiety building within me. But there was definitely something about theFae Princethat had me uneasy. I just wasn’t sure what.

40

IVY

NERVESate away at me as I stared down at the dress I’d been forced into. It wasn’t a magical, flowing dress like I’d been secretly hoping for. Apparently, that wasn’t in style anymore for Queenly brunches. Instead, I was in a crimson, skin-tight business casual dress that stopped at the knees. It hugged every inch of me in a way that would have once made me uncomfortable, but as I looked myself over one last time in the mirror, that familiar sense of insecurity never came.

Chewing my bottom lip, I finished with low heels and grabbed a long trench-coat to throw over the top. After a week of rain at the academy, I wasn’t quite used to the rather still and blue sky. But there was a slight chill in the air, one that had me sliding my arms into the jacket.

My first week at the academy had come to an end, and being at the palace was a relief. But it meant another day with the Queen.

“You look gorgeous,” Adrian said from behind me, startling me.

I turned to face him, and groaned. “I look like I’m about to have a formal meeting with the council.”

“It’s brunch.” He shrugged and stalked towards me. I swallowed hard and tried to ignore the tingling sensation between my thighs. There was something I wanted a hell of a lot more thanbrunch, but I feared I wouldn’t get that until tonight. Or maybe at all, considering how busy this weekend would be.

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