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There's a flash of surprise in his eyes and a smirk plays at his lips. "Does me being on top of you excite you, Princess?"
I inadvertently shudder beneath him, and he lets loose a low, knowing chuckle. "Those eyes of yours betray your thoughts."
I inch my face closer to his and the smug smile he's sporting fades. His eyes tell me how hungry he is for me, and I relish the power I seem to have over him. I press my lips against his ear and admit, "Yes, I like you on top of me."
In that brief moment of confusion, I wrap my legs around his torso and flip him onto his back, pinning him to the mat. Slowly, I stand up, maintaining eye contact the entire time. "Fighting gloves."
"What?"
"That's my price for pinning you."
He's too stunned to say anything in response, and I don't wait around for him to sober up. "I look forward to our next lesson, Professor." The corners of my lips tug upward as I strut toward the tunnel to leave. I can feel Atlas' burning gaze pinned between my shoulder blades, but I refuse to turn around. I want him to think about this encounter for days.
"Holy hell, Kitarni!" Nyx catches up to me and has a stupid grin plastered on his face.
"What?"
"I don't think I've ever seen someone pin Atlas that easily," Nyx laughs, with Ronan hot on his heels. "And if I'm being honest, that was probably one of the sexiest things I've ever seen a woman do."
"I hope you know that you'll probably pay for that stunt during your next lesson." The prince can't hide his wild-eyed amusement and I know he's right.
Atlas won't easily forget how I bested him at his own game, and I will definitely pay for it later, but feeling his weight on top of me, his body pressed against mine, will haunt me at night. And I certainly welcome those dreams.
Nine
Shaye
During the weekend break from school, Finn graciously invites me to sit outside in the back garden with him while he pulls weeds. Since it's such a beautiful day out, and I have nothing better to do, I take him up on his offer. I plop down on the cushioned bench nearest him and watch as he slips his worn leather gloves on and meticulously tends to his bed of herbs. There are tiny white labels sticking out of the dirt identifying each one and it puts a smile on my face. He has an eye for detail, and a passion for organization and cleanliness that I fully appreciate.
"So," he flicks his eyes up to meet mine quickly before refocusing on his plants. "How are you liking school so far?"
"It's fine," I shrug, taking a sip of my lemon water. "Everyone is nice enough."
He tosses me a look over his glasses, not bothering to abandon his work. "But?"
"It's a lot to take in."
"Talk to me." He digs into his bucket and procures a second pair of gardening gloves and extends them to me.
I grab them and my heart soars from the realization he wants to include me in something he loves to do, and I slip the oversized gloves over my hands. Happily, I follow his lead and begin to pull weeds from the garden beds. "I find Professor Riggs interesting," I say as I kneel next to him. "His lectures are far more palatable than Master Kaius'. Headmistress Radcliffe seems to be a very no-nonsense type of person, although when she looks at me, I can't help but feel as if she believes a strong gust of wind will cleave me in two."
"And that upsets you?"
I nod, not bothering to look over at him, keeping my hands busy with the task at hand. "I've always been seen as delicate and not someone to take seriously. I'm tired of it. She even told Atlas to be gentle with me."
"To be fair, Shaye, you are still new to the magical world. Even though you know some basic self-defense, she's probably concerned for your safety."
I sigh, "Yeah, well it's not like Atlas actually listened to her anyway. He has me training like he's preparing me for war."
"He probably is," he says simply.
I lean back on my haunches, my knees digging into the stone pavers, and stare at the side of his face. "Did you know he had been assigned as my instructor before I started?"
Finn sits back on his heels, mirroring my stance, and shakes his head, pushing his frames up the bridge of his nose with his wrist. "Honestly, I was surprised you were assigned to him. Granted, he has more field experience than the other Magical Warfare professors, since he is sent on top secret missions, but he is normally headed over first through fourth years."
At least Nyx's story checks out.
"Technically, I'm a no-year," I say.
