Page 62 of Gemini Kings
I blink at her in surprise. For it appears she too is reading my mind. It is the mate bond, no doubt, its pull between us already so potent.
Still, this kind of exposure is inconvenient.
And it is risky.
Even my thoughts, it seems, I must guard in this strange and hostile place.
The hard-faced blonde on the settee pushes out a disgusted noise and shoves to her feet. “No offense, but if you guys are gonna talk about Zara’s heats and shit, Dez and I are chowing down in the library.”
My ears prick at the idea that there is a library. My dragon loves adding antique books loaded with ancient wisdom to our horde. As for myself, never permitted the luxury of anything like a formal education, old books are a rare treasure, greatly to be coveted.
Seeing she has gained my attention, this boyish girl gives me a wary look. “Hey, uh, I’m Racetrack. That’s my girlfriend Dez in the kitchen. We’re exclusive, so don’t get any ideas.”
Truly, there is no danger of that. I have many ideas, but they all relate to Zara.
“I am Maxim. And there will be no ideas.” If they were shifters and of my clan, I would scent them to establish my dominance. But they are not, and I cannot smell my queen’s passion or her mating scent upon them, so it must be as they say. These two are not even of her harem.
“Yeah, we’re not in the harem,” the girl called Dez pipes up. “But we share Zara’s roof, so we’re her courtiers.”
“You’re my friends,” Zara says firmly.
Dez is the little dark-haired one who has not spoken, but who has hovered in the kitchen doorway watching me this whole time.
And it appears she too has just read my mind.
When I slice her a guarded look, the strange girl taps her temple and winks. “I’m Valyrian, like Ronin. My gifts are telepathy and precognition, yeah? Don’t let it freak you out.”
Then this Dez is another telepath I must be wary of. Until now, I have had little exposure to any arcanes who are not of my clan, except for that disastrous summer with the Romanovs.
Already I am beginning to feel out of my depth at this Academy.
But I am determined not to show it.
“Yeah, and I’m Mogadon. So don’t fuck with me.” The one called Racetrack gives me a hard look. “You’ll find out why soon enough. That’s assuming you last the night.”
Apparently I will learn her arcane gift later. Is this one threatening me or warning me?
“I will last the night,” I say shortly.
“Hmmm, don’t be so certain.” Romanov sneers at me like a fairytale villain. “It’s Purgatory for the new freshman, Maximka. Which means it’s hunting season.”
“Bring it on, Romanov,” I growl, my voice thick with dragon. “My beast and I relish a good hunt.”
“Oooookay then. You boys have fun with that.” Racetrack gives us both a wide berth and beelines for the kitchen.
Dez’s keen stare flickers between Romanov and me. Suddenly she hugs herself and gives an unexpected giggle.
“Don’t let this lot get you down, cobber,” she says to me, with a sympathetic smile that eases a little of my discomfort. She is the only person who has smiled at me since I arrived. “Bark’s worse than the bite with this crew. You’re gonna find that out soon enough.”
She gives me a knowing look I can’t decipher, passes a plate to Racetrack, then ducks after her into the kitchen.
“Speak for yourself, Desdemona.” Vasili gives the kitchen a sour look. “I don’t suppose you can take this dragon with you to the library? Assuming Lucius won’t let us pen him in the yard like a dog.”
“There’s no need to be so uncivilized, Mr. Romanov.” The wolf divides his stern gaze between the two of us. “There are matters the rest of us sorely need to discuss. That discussion includes Mr. Rasputin.”
“Hang on a sec.” My queen releases her consort’s hand and strolls toward me.
My heart kicks in my chest and my skin tingles. My senses spin with the creamy sweetness of her scent.
