Page 63 of Hero of Havoc

I almost tell him to forget it, but the fact that my hated mates keep doing things to make me hate them less is overwhelming me. So I go against my body’s desires and swing my legs over the side of the bed.

Archer’s eyes track my every move, gaping at my exposed skin as I keep my spine stiff and my shoulders rolled back. His teeth sink into his clenched fist as I breeze past him, the cool touch against my skin quickly evaporating from the heat of his stare.

Grabbing a soft, yellow blouse and a pair of denim shorts, with a lingerie set to match, I dive into the bathroom and quickly get ready.

Showered, fresh, and dressed, I saunter back into my room, the heat and desire still thrumming through my veins as I find my Fire Protector mate perched at the foot of my bed, elbows braced on his knees as he peers up at me.

“How do you look so beautiful and put-together after a night like you had?” he muses, standing as I close my bathroom door behind me, and I shrug.

“I have no idea. I’ve never been drunk like that before.”

He shakes his head in disbelief, leading the way toward my bedroom door. He surveys the hallway for a moment before waving me out. A comfortable silence washes over us as he laces our fingers together and leads me downstairs.

Pressed against his side, I exhale as the morning sun washes over me.

That feeling of contentment creeps in again, and I hate how much I like it. The fear in me braces for the chaos to ensue, but it’s hard to stay alert when I feel like this.

Attempting to shake it off, I focus on my surroundings and quickly realize how busy it is. There are students everywhere. Some are sprawled out on the grass, relaxing with their friends, while others move up and down the path.

“It’s still Sunday, right? I didn’t sleep a whole day away or something dumb like that, did I?” I mumble, and Archer grins.

“It’s still Sunday. What makes you ask?”

I shrug. “It just feels… busy,” I admit, and he nods, parting his lips, but no words make it out before a thunderous crack ripples through the air, violent enough to steal my breath and rumble the ground beneath my feet.

The air becomes thick with panic, screams, and yelps echoing from my fellow students when the same lurch and distant boom ricochet once more.

Tilting my head toward the sky, my grip on Archer tightens as panic sets in.

The midmorning sky erupts in color, fizzling streaks of light darting in every direction, unfurling in glittery crackles as my heart races wildly in my chest. I hold my breath, waiting for it to subside, but it only grows more intense as the clap of gunpowder echoes across the sky, followed by a flash of crimson that scatters molten stars in every direction.

“Archer?” I wince with every roaring blast, my spine so stiff it aches as a kaleidoscope of colors paints the air.

Chaos erupts around us, some dancing in delight at the mystical scene, while others remain as confused as I am. Certain it’s never going to end, I narrow my eyes as a flash of white catches my attention.

Fluttering and floating, it draws closer until I reach my hand out to grab it, but Archer is in protective mode and beats me to it.

“Fuck,” he rasps, making me frown in confusion as he stuffs the piece of paper in his back pocket. But if he’s trying to shield me from it, it’s pointless when more begin to fall.

Students scramble to capture them, and I tug my hand free from my hated mate’s to secure my own. Only when my gaze rakes over the content do I wish I hadn’t bothered.

The Fifth Kingdom needs a champion.

Will it be you?

Set your kingdom free, and be the hero you were destined to be.

“Who would do this?” I blurt, blinking at Archer as sheets and sheets of the same thing scatter all around us.

“I don’t know, but this is out of hand,” he grumbles, casting his eyes at our surroundings, and I follow his line of sight, gulping when I see that the mass of students has intensified, each reading the same cryptic message.

I understand what it means. I was there when the other kingdom leaders spoke of it.

“What in the hell is going on?” Teddy hollers, racing toward us, Sax and Baron a few steps behind him. He takes a second to assess me, making sure I’m alright, before he looks to Archer for answers.

“I don’t know, but talking about it here won’t do us any good,” Archer admits, dragging a hand down his face.

“Are you okay?” Sax asks, coming to a stop beside me, and I nod.