Page 4 of Vengeful Princess

I peered at the map I’d pulled from the welcome pack and feigned deafness. Landon’s smile faded, but he continued to tell me about the various parts of the college.

We walked along the glass walkway.

“The cafeteria is open from 7 AM until 9 PM. The food here is decent enough.”

I stared around at the huge, bright room as students chattered, ate, and drank beverages. Several double doors along the glass wall led to an outdoor seating area populated with tables and chairs.

Various small groups wandered through, following student guides. I inhaled the scent of fried food and fresh coffee and suppressed a moan of appreciation. It had been ages since my last cup of coffee. I was well overdue a caffeine hit.

We moved on. Landon showed me the fitness center, which I’d definitely be using, the art studios, a science block, and several other classrooms. So far, so good.

The college was small but well appointed, a curious mix of old and new. According to Landon’s very brief history lesson, the main building was originally a clan stronghold in the 1700s, but the Abernethys had mostly been wiped out at the Battle of Culloden. The castle became a school in the early 1900s, and by the 1950s, had evolved into an exclusive college for the entitled offspring of wealthy people.

We climbed up to the top of the West Tower, my new home for the duration of my stay.

“There’s a party on Friday if you want to get to know a few people.” Landon winked at me as we reached my room. I tried to ignore the way his shirt rode up, revealing a sliver of golden skin when he rested his hands above the door frame. He was so much taller than me; I had to crane my neck when I looked up.

“I’ll think about it,” I replied in a monotone.

“It’s in our apartment. The penthouse at the top of North Tower.” He grinned. “You can meet Cassian and Kyril, and maybe Milo if he feels like being sociable.”

My ears pricked up as I used the keycard to open my door. The light turned green, and the door swung open.

“Will there be many people there?” I asked, not wanting to sound too eager. It would be an opportunity to observe Cassian while he was relaxed and, hopefully, drunk. I’d rather get a sense of who he was before making any kind of approach.

My first introduction to Cassian Forsyth had to feel natural. If he was in any way suspicious of me, I’d never get close enough to do what I needed to do.

“A few, yeah. Only the best people get invited to our parties.” He winked at me again. This guy was a full-on flirt. He probably treated fucking as an Olympic sport.

My eyes drifted lower despite my best intentions, lingering on the bulge between his thighs. When I looked up, he grinned at me knowingly.

I fought back a blush and looked away. Being a virgin did not make me innocent. I’d watched porn. I knew what sex was. And I also knew it wasn’t for me.

There was no way I could have a relationship with anyone while my sadistic father controlled every aspect of my life.

“Um, thanks for showing me to my room.” I shuffled on the spot awkwardly, staring past Landon. “I guess, um, I better sort my stuff out.”

“You’re welcome, hot stuff.” He stepped closer, ignoring my personal boundaries. I briefly contemplated putting him on his ass, but decided I didn’t mind him being so close.

For one thing, he smelled…divine. And for another, he was so damned pretty it broke my brain. I was so fucked.

“So, Thea,” he said in a voice soaked with sexual promise. My breathing hitched in my chest and for a moment, I forgot my damned name. “If you need anything,anythingat all, come find me, yeah?”

He reached out and rubbed his thumb across my lower lip. The tension stretched between us as his pretty green eyes drilled into mine while he waited for a reply.

I blinked and tried to ignore the fact my panties had just spontaneously combusted.

“Um, thanks?” I cringed at my lame reply. Some more worldly wise girl would have swooned, flirted a little, and, more likely, thrown herself at this sexy hunk of burning love. But not me.

I had no game. Flirting was a foreign language I barely understood and wasn’t willing to learn.

Landon snorted. “Don’t act too excited, hot stuff,” he chuckled before edging out the door. A nasally female voice called hisname and almost immediately, his attention diverted from me to her.

“Landon! What are you doing up here, babe?”

“Showing a new student around.” He stepped away, and I quickly shut the door in his wake.

With a barrier between us, some of the tension left me. I scanned my room, noting the adjoining bathroom, and collapsed on the bed. My suitcase was already here. I should probably unpack and read the welcome information, but first, I needed a nap.

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