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"I'm sure he is." Nyx roots his elbow to the armrest between us and cups his chin. "I'd be even more interested, if his assistant was a beautiful woman."
"Are you always horny?" I tease.
"Maybe," he arches an eyebrow playfully, "but never for long."
"Of course not." I shake my head and sarcastically say, "You're Lord Nicodemus Harland. You can't keep the women away from you."
"Sounds like you're jealous."
"Hardly." I fold my arms over my chest.
He leans closer and whispers, "If you grow tired of waiting for Atlas to make the first move, you can always do it."
I refuse to look at him, keeping my eyes pinned on Professor Riggs at the front of the lecture hall.
"Or take care of your urges on your own."
"Nyx," I hiss in warning.
"All I'm saying is you don't have to be jealous of me – "
"I'm not."
" – or all the action I'm getting. You are a powerful and desirable woman. If you really wanted to, you could put the moves on my brother." Nyx chuckles softly and shakes his head. "I love my brothers, but they can be so dense at times."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning," he returns my stare, "as much as Atlas wants you to believe he's this hardass, he's probably more concerned about your thoughts and feelings than his own." Nyx rolls his shoulders back and tilts his head until his neck cracks. "Unlike myself, Atlas will respect the fact you're engaged to another."
"Well, I have no intention of marrying Bastian anymore."
"Does Atlas know that?"
I sigh. "No."
"Maybe you should tell him, Kitarni."
Maybe I should tell him, but what would I gain from sharing that truth? Its possible Atlas might want to be with me, but it's also possible that he won't care, and my lustful thoughts will remain unreciprocated.
I've heard gossip from the ladies of the Midorian court that men lose interest in their lovers or wives because the challenge to claim them – to win their hearts – is gone and there is nothing left to do but bide one's time until death's embrace comes. They desire what they can't have and pursue those who are just out of reach.
Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I'd end my lifelong engagement to Bastian, but here I am. In my mind, I am a free woman, but my heart aches with the thought that I'm somehow betraying Bastian, dishonoring my parents, and worse, bringing shame upon my people by disregarding our traditions.
But are they my people?
Are they my parents?
My tortured mind screams and suddenly I'm feeling restless and queasy.
When the clock chimes, officially ending class for the day, I jump up from my seat, ready to get a breath of fresh air.
"My apologies, Princess," Riggs slips his spectacles from his face and rests them flatly on one of the newly acquired books. "Hopefully, during our next class, I can answer more of your questions."
"No need to apologize, Professor." I smile, but panic stirs, and I need to get out of the room before I have trouble breathing. "I look forward to our next session."
"If you have a minute to spare," he starts to flip through the tome in front of him, "I think you'd be very interested in seeing – "
Nyx slips his arm over my shoulders and politely interrupts a very enthusiastic Riggs, "Pardon, Professor, but Princess Ilaria has a strict schedule to follow. I'm afraid we don't have a minute to spare today but perhaps you can show her your findings tomorrow?"
