a visit, but I do have a surprise for you. I’ll be joining you here at Bloodstone. Isn’t that grand?”
I stare at him without blinking, not even daring to breathe. How could they have made this decision so fast? And why did Solomon agree to it when he knows Saxon and I are mated?
“Oh my God. I think I’ve shocked you into silence. I should do that more often.” He chuckles.
“When are you starting?” I ask.
“Tonight. I’m moving in tomorrow. It’s a pity that we can’t share the same apartment, though. But rules are rules. Solomon made it clear couples can’t live together while here. It’s okay, we’ll have plenty of time when we’re married.”
Well, for starters, Solomon lied. Lucca and Vivienne are living together. I suppose I have to thank him for that. Still, bile fills my mouth. If Calvin doesn’t stop talking, I’m going to barf all over his clothes.
“I’d love to stay here and chat, but I’m late for a meeting with Solomon,” I say.
“Sure, sure. I don’t want to get you into trouble with the headmaster. God knows how much mayhem seems to follow you, right, darling?” His eyes take on a threatening glint. He must be talking about last night’s incident.
“What are you insinuating? If you have something to say to me, get on with it.”
He opens his mouth to reply, but he’s interrupted by Solomon, who steps into the hallway. “Ah, Aurora. I see that you already heard the news.”
“Yeah, sure have. Are we still having a meeting or what?”
“Naturally.” He turns to the Lord of Doucheville. “Well, Calvin. Good luck.”
I completely ignore him as I enter Solomon’s office fuming, and immediately begin to pace. I’m so angry that sparks of magic leak from my fingers. Solomon closes the door softly and, at a leisurely pace, heads for his chair behind his desk.
“How could you let that snake enroll here?” I start.
“I had no choice in the matter. The order came directly from the king.”
“What? King Raphael sanctioned this? Is he crazy?”
“Child, you’d better learn to control your temper if you hope to last as the High Witch.”
“I don’t want to control my temper,” I yell. “And right now, being the High Witch is not a priority anymore.”
“You’d better not say that near your mother.” He arches his bushy brows.
“Fuck her. This is her fault too.”
“No, Aurora. Your irresponsible actions last night triggered all this. Your reckless behavior put us all in an extremely delicate situation. King Raphael can’t lose the support of the Council of Witches.”
“You don’t need to repeat what I already know. And my behavior yesterday wasn’t reckless. You know why I went to the Nightshade Market. Or have you forgotten already that Saxon and I are mated, and fighting the bond is driving us both insane?”
“You didn’t have to bring an entourage to procure that ingredient. Not only have you exposed the nature of your relationship with Saxon, but you also risked Vivienne and Rikkon’s secret. If the wrong people find out they’re Nightingale royals, keeping them safe will be impossible.”
He’s not wrong about that. I swallow the angry retort that’s on the tip of my tongue. It sucks balls being chastised by the headmaster as if I were a small child, but my ego will have to deal with it.
“I admit I made a bad judgment call last night. But you know that Calvin’s presence here could have worse consequences for King Raphael.”
“Declan and Ryker came to see me after their meeting with you and Saxon. They offered to break your bond and you refused.”
I know exactly where he’s going with that, but I’m not going to be coerced into doing things I don’t want to anymore. I’m nobody’s pawn. Lifting my chin higher, I say, “Yes, I did. And I’m not changing my mind.”
He leans back, linking his hands over his round belly. “Then you, my dear, have to find a way to keep your mate from killing your fiancé.”
“Some headmaster you are,” I grit out, not hiding the contempt in my voice.
“Save the attitude for someone else, Aurora. I’ve already kept Calvin from moving in with you. That’s the best I can do. Now, enough on this topic. Let’s get on with your lessons.”
I’m so furious with Solomon that I could just storm out of here. But I can’t let my anger prevent me from soaking up as much information from the familiar as possible. Knowledge is power, after all.