Page 25 of Oleander
I don’t want to hurt anyone.
Headmaster Goulding addresses my unspoken concern. “Your magic adjusts to your surroundings in order to protect you. The ax was a real and present danger to your life, Skyler. If that was a friendly Fae touching your arm, they’d simply get a little zap. Frankly, child, I believe that with your innate aptitude for self-defense and calling that barrier so effortlessly, you could help the prince and balance his power. But that’s a risk I cannot ask you to take; it’s a decision you would need to make on your own. Think about it.”
My brain is racing. My thoughts are overwhelmed, and my body is overstimulated. This is something out of a fairy tale or a dream. I’m no superhero, and it’s really fucking hard for my human-raised mind to comprehend such power.
“I can see you have more than enough control. There is no need for shackles any longer. But don’t make me regret my decision, Mr. Fairfield.”
“You won’t. I promise. Thank you, sir.” Relief washes over me, calming some of the turbulent thoughts.
Headmaster Goulding opens the wall for me, and I leave the administration office on a high, completely ignoring Ember’s glare as his words echo in my mind.
If that was a friendly Fae touching your arm, they’d simply get a little zap.
Goulding is right. It’s a huge risk, but getting closer to the prince would be worth it. We can practice our magic togetherand test his boundaries safely, and hopefully, before the end of the month, he’ll be happy to activate the portal rune on his neck for me.
How could he say no when he wants the same thing as me?
To go home.
CHAPTER EIGHT
OLEANDER
The elevator cranks up, and nerves swarm my belly like a million angry bees. Skyler is on his way up to the suite, back from his appointment with the headmaster. We still need to talk, but I’m afraid to tell him. Afraid tolosehim. Not that I have him to begin with, but it’s been a while since I’ve had a friend as kind as Skyler. And I worry that once he knows my secrets and the danger that living with me poses, he’ll surely leave and want nothing more to do with me.
The lift makes it all the way to the eighth floor, and it’s as if the front door opens in slow motion, revealing a beaming Skyler. He steps inside, lighting up the suite and everyone he meets with his beautiful silver aura. He flexes his biceps, showing off bare, shackle-free wrists.
I gasp, running over to him for a closer look. “I’m so happy for you, Skyler. This is amazing news.” His skin looks a little red and irritated, but he’s free. “Can I see it?” I ask shyly, talking about his magic. I’m certain Headmaster Goulding wouldn’t put anyone at risk, so if he’s confident Skyler has control, then so am I.
Instead of answering with words, Skyler steps forward, inches away from touching me. Although my magic is dormant right now, it’s still a risk for him to be this close.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, his eyes scanning my face and landing on my lips, where they linger. My pulse spikes, lust swirling low in my gut as I imagine him kissing me andmore. He still doesn’t say a word, continuing to stare at my mouth with a half-lidded gaze. “Sky. . .” I warn, feeling the toxins start to seep through my pores as powerful emotions I always try to ignore surge forward. My eyes glow bright, the magic taking over.
“I know your secrets, and it’s okay.Watch,” Skyler whispers.
Before I can object, Skyler’s hand darts out and grasps my bare forearm. Electricity crackles, tickling me as it dances across my skin and zaps away the poison. Our magic mingles, buzzing and intertwining, almost like his power is urging mine forward and accepting me with open arms.
My eyes dart up, wide with shock. He’s. . .he’s touching me.
Years of bottled-up hurt, shame, and self-loathing burst free like a dam being opened for the first time. A strangled sob escapes, and I slap a hand over my mouth, silently begging the tears not to follow. They don’t listen, welling up and overflowing as Skyler slowly trails his fingers down my arm, the vibrations arousing my sensitive skin.
“It’s okay, Ander. I’m here now. Just let it out.” Skyler pulls me into a tight embrace, tiny bolts of electricity caressing me everywhere our skin connects. It’s overwhelming. “Let it all out,” he repeats earnestly. “I mean it; you can get snot all over me, blow your nose in my shirt, and I’ll never tell a soul. Scout’s honor.” He releases me and holds two fingers up, and I can only imagine it’s one of those human things I don’t understand, making me smile. I sniffle and wipe my nose with my own sleeve.
“Sorry, I just. . .” What can I say? That his caress is so profound because I haven’t been touched in five years other than my mother’s pity hugs?
It’s pathetic.
“Don’t be sorry.Ever.” His fingers ghost along the curve of my jaw, arousing my skin with tiny bolts of lightning. His magic seems to be pulling electricity from the air to protect himself.
“Fascinating,” I murmur.
“I knew it would work,” Skyler says proudly, with a smug little smile.
“You weren’t certain?!” I ask in outrage. “Sky, you could have been killed!”
“I was ninety-five percent certain,” he defends carelessly like that makes it better. I wouldn’t have been okay withanyrisk.
“That’s not good enough for me,” I murmur.
