Page 125 of Ulune's Daughter

“No.” I tuck the pilfered pillow deeper under my head. “Am I permanently exiled from my own home or is there an expiration date on you lying to our mate?”

Law snorts. “I can arrange for your exile to be permanent.” After a long silence he says, “Yule.”

“What about Yule?”

“I’ll tell her at Yule. I’m going to apply to graduate early. I have enough credits. I haven’t been to classes in weeks. There’s no point in me going for the rest of the semester when I’m not going to pass and it’s more important that I be there for our mate. Kellan needs me. If I graduate early, then I’m no longer a student and there’s no conflict for her.”

I make a choking noise and then flop dramatically over the edge of the bed. “I never, ever thought I’d hear you say that.”

Law throws a pillow at my head, which I dodge.

“What, that I’m not going to pass my classes? Can’t be a surprise.”

“No, fucknut. I never thought I’d hear you say our mate’s needs come first.”

Law’s growl ripples through the room, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. “I’ve donenothingbut put our mate’s needs first.”

“While deceiving her,” I say, subdued by that growl.

Law’s silent for so long I figure he’s fallen asleep. I curl back around the stolen pillow and close my eyes.

I’m just starting to drift off when he murmurs, “If she turns to you when we come clean, you may get the last laugh.” He sighs and stretches. “If you do, remind her that I love her. And I never, ever did it to hurt her.”

I don’t answer him. I don’t have to. He knows I’d never disobey a direct order.

* * *

Like a good kitty,I leave at dawn. I don’t know if Rho will come back to the den after spending the Hallow with Kellan, but I make enough breakfast for two, and put his uneaten portion in the fridge when he doesn’t show. I shoot him a text. He responds with a thumbs up and a snoring emoji, just to remind me of how his dirty weekend with our mate has worn him out, the prick.

I usually only see Kellan in Jane Serpa’s Necromancy senior seminar once a week plus as many TA sessions as she schedules. It’s been fewer since her exhibit opened and the research she has me doing I can do independently.

So, it’s a surprise to see Kellan standing in the hallway of Old Chapel when I emerge from my Words of Power seminar with the cute brunette I was teasing Rhodes about. The brunette’s name is Cecile. I’ve been in classes with Cecile since sophomore year, even though she’s a Fire-mage and my Element is Air. In our practicums, Cecile arranges to be my lab partner. It’s occurred to me more than once that Cecile has a crush on me. Knowing about Kellan, being in love with Rhodes, I’ve never encouraged her. She doesn’t hang on me, exactly, but she always walks out of class with me, talking about what we’ve learned.

Today, Cecile’s in full yammer aboutvaquen, a healing glyph. She’s not quite gripping me, but one hand is resting on my wrist wrap while she gesticulates with the other.

I stop in my tracks when I see Kellan leaning against the far wall. She’s wearing her knee-high boots over soft black leggings and a deep plum jacket, zipped up the front and tailored to her curves. Definitely something Mom and Larissa picked, but it suits her, highlights her dramatic coloring.

She smiles when she sees me, a smile that lights her glacial blue eyes. I think her eyes have gotten paler and brighter as she’s taken the mantle of Crow Queen. Even in this dimly lit hallway, they’re luminous. Captivating.

She looks like a different woman than the one I saw last in Necromancy class. She was wan and distracted, her eyes sunk in shadow. This is the Kellan from the beginning of the semester: energetic, enthusiastic, focused, sun-flushed.

My chest tightens. This is a woman who’s had the happiness fucked back into her by the beast-in-the-bed. Damn, I’ve had some good weekends with Rhodes, but I think theirs wins the prize if this is the afterglow.

Kellan’s eyes drift down from mine to where Cecile’s fingertips are resting on my arm. Her eyes narrow, and her smile grows fangs.

“Luca, I’m glad I caught you,” Kellan says. “An opportunity’s come up.”

My heart doesn’t just swell, it leaps. “An opportunity?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Her focus on Cecile’s fingers sharpens, and a breeze teases the wisps of black hair curling around her cheeks that have escaped her braid. “If you’re free.”

It’s not a question. I’m free. I’ll make myself free even if it means I spend every waking hour between now and graduation in the library making up whatever I miss. I am always fucking free for any opportunity she gives me.

“Sorry, Cecile,” I say to the girl I’m already stepping away from. “Yes, Professor, I’m free.”

“Good. We may be gone overnight. Do you need to swing home to pack a bag?”

I shake my head. My hoodie, black jeans, and Docs can definitely go another day. I have basic toiletries in my backpack since I like to brush my teeth and freshen up between classes. If I get really stuck for something, I can always walk the Fae Ways back to the den.

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