"Well, that was a bit unexpected," Aphelion states, taking a seat in one of the armchairs, not ready to turn in for the night. "What?" I ask, pretending not to know what Aphelion is talking about. "Really?" He asks, raising an eyebrow as his eyes wander to the room Luka and Samael just entered. "Yeah, but I guess it makes sense," I reply, shrugging my shoulders as I recline in the chair opposite Aphelion, trying to ignore the sounds of Katrina's moans coming from the room opposite the one Samael escaped into. "How does it make sense?" "Aphelion asks as he turns his full attention back to me. "Well, Mary's mated to us, and we're all tied together by blood. Luka's also mated to Mary, but he has no connection to us. It makes sense that he'd also be mated to one of us, and Samael was aggressively protective over him when he returned from his weekend spent with Katrina and Luka."Aphelion humphs, not really replying to my statement, but I don't care. All I can hear is Beckett pleasuri

As we walked into the cafeteria, the entire room went quiet, which I had grown accustomed to; what I didn't expect was the murmurs that broke out afterward. I could hear whispers of my name and my mates' names, but I had no idea what they were whispering about. It wasn't a secret that I was their fated, the boys had made that clear on day one, but something about us had everyone talking. "Do you want to know what they're whispering about?" Hilda asked, her bitch squad following close behind her. "Not really," I replied, even though I was curious. I didn't want to rely on Hilda for my information. I continue walking to the food line, blatantly ignoring the murmurs across the cafeteria, wanting to focus on breakfast and my classes. I was already behind before Miles dragged me away to his bunker, but now I was even further behind, and midterms were only a month away. I would have to focus on classes like crazy if I had any hope of passing. "They're talking about how big of a slut you

I should’ve tried harder. I should’ve fought against Hijra. Who the fuck cares if she’s a professor? I’m the heir to the Earth Kingdom; Divine Academy is in my Kingdom, meaning that stupid, jealous, no-good rotten Valkyrie has no final say. I gave in too quickly. I didn’t want to cause a scene with Katrina’s impending council review, and I didn’t want her to have to meet my father under that kind of circumstance. When I introduce my mate to my parents, I want it to be on our terms, not forced by some underpaid washed-out Valkyrie. And yes, I might be being a bit harsh on Hijra, but it’s no less than what she currently deserves. Because of her, my mate faces a very angry, aggressive dimi-goddess who’s called upon her forefathers to gift her with their powers behind an impenetrable shield. I’ve used every divine power I have been blessed with to break through the protective barrier, but it still stands in my way. So, here I am, being forced to watch in slow motion as Katrina stands the

"What do you mean by I'm a first-year?" I ask Beckett as we walk down the hall toward Luka's class. "Ah. I guess we really haven't had time to talk about school and what not." Beckett replies sheepishly. "I'm the oldest at twenty-six, I should have graduated last year, but as you know, I took a year off of school to recuperate after the events in the sea kingdom. So Miles and I are both in our senior years this year. We only have to attend our major and then one minor magical class. Miles's major is Sparring since he's the son of the God and Goddess of war. His minor, like mine, is magical studies since he has an earth affinity. I'm taking a Hydrology enhancement class that isn't available your first year for my major. That time I took you with me to practice your water skills; it was one of the weekly tutoring sessions I help with. Which, yes, is voluntary, but I'm not the saint most people think I am. I tutor water skills because I want only the strongest water wielders in my kingd

As I let my divine power flow from my body, sending it toward Katrina, I watch in amazement as her shield begins to shift, her body calling upon her divine power to protect it. My magic evaporates before it can even come close to touching her shield. Captivated by what just occurred, I send another ball of magic toward Katrina, this power coming directly from the earth, and once again, her shield shifts, calling on her water affinity to protect her. The powers blessed with the earth's magic wash away, not coming close to striking her. "Katrina, your shield work is impressive. I've never come across anyone who can morph the magic their shield uses after putting it up." "Perhaps it is because I am the true fated mate of the heirs to the four heavenly kingdoms," Katrina speaks up, staring me in my eyes, the unspoken words clear in them, 'and mated to the heir of the Kingdom of Darkness.' There are murmurs around the classroom as her fellow students stare down at us, watching our inter