Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,218

“What would you have him do, Professor?”

“Lance,” I corrected firmly. “And I’d be happy if I could just beat him to death with a Pegasus horn.”

“So come on, tell us what happened in the tomb while we were all fighting the undead?” Caleb asked me and Darcy.

We shared a look before explaining the crazy shit that had gone down in there – barring my really poorly timed kiss and the headfuck I was left with since. I mean, really? That was what I’d decided to do? What the fuck was I thinking? That I could just kiss away all our problems? Darcy deserved better. Hell, she deserved everything. And I was the exact opposite of everything.

I had to cut myself to show them the Zodiac Guild mark on my arm just like Jasper had shown me, and Geraldine all but fainted when I did. Not because she was squeamish, but because the Zodiac Guild was apparently ‘the most sensational society of all the societies in the land and she’d give up three limbs to be a part of it.’

“I have to go back to the palace,” I said miserably, looking to the paling sky.

A guard would come and check on me just after dawn and remove the wards meant to keep me in the summerhouse overnight. The thought of leaving made my heart sink, but we had the Imperial Star now. And Lionel wasn’t going to get anywhere near it. That was something to be happy about.

Darius drew me in for a hug and murmured in my ear, “Not much longer, brother. We’ll beat him now. Fate is swinging in our favour.”

He let me go, stepping back and Tory hugged me next, taking me by surprise. “We’re gonna hit him right where it hurts.”

“I’m not sure one of your kicks to the balls will help, but maybe if you attach the Imperial Star to your shoe while you do it, you’ll break them right off,” I said dryly and she laughed, releasing me.

Geraldine threw herself at me next, taking me even more by surprise. “Oh, you loyal Master of the Guild, you’re a true royalist, you have always done what is right for my queens. I see that now,” she sobbed, earning me harsh glares from the Heirs. Ah shit.

I patted her shoulder awkwardly, but she clung on tight as I tried to press her back, releasing a mournful sob.

“Can’t you fix things with my lady Darcy?” she whisper-shouted completely unsubtly. By the fucking stars.

I met Blue’s gaze over her head and my throat tightened. I had so many damn things I needed to say to her, but I didn’t know when I’d get that chance or if she’d even want to hear them. I’d kissed her like a fucking idiot – twice. At least she’d kissed me back the first time. But not for long. And I doubted she ever would again.

I stepped away from Geraldine, giving her a taut smile, knowing this was the last thing I needed to be focusing on right now.

“I’ll come home tomorrow,” Darius said as he stepped through the fence and Max tossed me a salute while Caleb just turned away. Our Order meant we were never going to be anything but rivals, but I wasn’t going to cry myself a river over lost friends. It was a miracle I could count myself more than three anyway.

“Stay safe,” Darcy said with a tight smile and I caught her hand before she could escape.

She turned back to face me, looking up at me with a question in her beautiful eyes. I took the rings from my pocket, placing them in her palm, wishing I didn’t have to let her go. But I did. I always fucking did from now on. My heart hurt though because I knew the second I released her, I wouldn’t know when I’d see her again.

I let go, having no choice and she turned away with a word of thanks, heading through the fence without looking back.

Seth went to follow last, but I caught him by the collar, wheeling him around to face me with a snarl.

“You and me need to talk,” I growled as he yanked himself free of my grip and folded his arms.

“What about? Me following Darcy back to Aer Tower and fucking her blind?” he asked casually and my fist snapped out, clocking him in the jaw and making him stumble backwards with a doggish yelp. I relished the bite of pain against my knuckles. Fighting