warmth of the university pressed in all around me as I stepped into the Grand Entryway. It was a big room— one of my favorites in the palace— where large portraits of former Arcanea royals hung. There were a variety of chairs and couches spread out in circles around the room for people to converse. A warm fire was crackling in the marble hearth. Students were gathered around it in their uniforms, laughing and talking. A girl was sitting on a guy’s lap in one of the armchairs that surrounded the fire. She flung her arms around his neck and laughed before he kissed her.
My heart wept at the sight. Since I’d discovered Ethan was my true mate, I’d felt incredibly lonely. And there was no more romantic place than Arcanea University, where romance was everywhere. Your main job as a fae was to hook up with the love of your life and express it for all to see.
But I couldn’t do that, because things were just too complicated between Ethan and I. I didn’t think he’d ever let me in.
As I came to the end of the Grand Entryway, my eyes fell upon an unwelcome sight, and I felt like vomiting. Gabby and Elijah were making out, and they sure as hell didn’t care who watched. She had her leg hitched around his hip while he palmed her ass, shoving his tongue down her throat. The edge of her skirt was rising up past her thigh. Her sweater was falling off her shoulder as she continued to swap spit with the ugly asshole.
Elijah had a large scar across his face now, from when he’d battled Ethan in the King’s Contest. It only made him more disgusting.
By the gods, they were going to be king and queen. Couldn’t they get it together? Looked like they were using the titles as an excuse to act however they wanted in public.
As I walked by, Gabby’s eyes opened. She pulled her mouth away from Elijah’s and gave him a soft smile. He nodded, almost evilly, as she strode away from him. My heartbeat increased as I realized Gabby was following me down the hallway.
As we came to an isolated corridor, it was clear she wasn’t letting up. I held my breath and turned around. “You can quit stalking me. It’s more than a little creepy.”
Gabby smirked. “I wasn’t sure you’d come back to school, but here you are.”
My mouth thinned. I’d thought about abandoning school and going back to Detroit, because I was too humiliated to show my face around here again... but then I’d considered Ethan, and decided that wasn’t an option.
“Why are you here?” I spat. “Tell me what you want. I’ve got class.”
Gabby wrinkled her nose. “Is that any way to talk to your future queen?”
“You’re no queen of mine,” I growled through clenched teeth.
Gabby rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Sosna. I don’t need your allegiance, I need you to do as you’re told.”
My stomach dropped. Of course. Our deal. “I’m not going to be queen anymore. The bargain’s off.”
“Like hell.” Gabby made a scoffing noise. “We had an agreement, Sosna. You do what I say, or I leak your fiance’s little secret to the Arcanea Alliance.”
My mouth soured. Gabby and Elijah had information that Ethan was the Phantom. What was more, so did the Black Claw. Gabby and Elijah might have the Black Claw in their hand, but Ethan’s identity would remain safe... so long as I was Gabby’s little errand girl.
“What do you want with me? You’re the one in charge now. I don’t have any power,” I said.
“Your mate has been causing a lot of trouble for the Black Claw in recent weeks.” Gabby’s eyes narrowed. “He’s attempting to find the hideout of the cult and destroy it, and we can’t have that happen.”
My shoulders dropped. “What do you want me to do?”
“Stop him, of course,” Gabby said, as if it was obvious, and I was stupid.
“How do you want me to do that? You made it clear I can’t tell him what I know,” I hissed.
Gabby rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. Get creative.”
My heart pounded against my chest. She wanted me to stop the Phantom from harassing the Black Claw, while keeping it secret I knew his identity? “This is near impossible!”
“Find a way,” Gabby inspected her nails, like she was bored. “Ethan’s become a problem. Either deal with him yourself, or I’ll find a way to take care of him permanently.”