Melody’s heart sank. She’d all but openly condoned Shawna’s behaviour. The provost was more than just angry at her, Melody had made an enemy.
“What of Carla?” Mr. Cartwright asked, obviously unhappy.
“What of her? The foolish girl accepted a charm from someone who from all accounts was unfriendly beforehand. She deserved what she got. Get her healed and back to class, I will not stand for this kind of disruption.” Her heated gaze landed on Melody again. “I do not wish to hear of you involved in yet another incident, Melody. It would not look good on your final transcripts. You’ve already killed a talented witch in the Canticum coven, earning a mark upon your record would be like rubbing salt into the wound.”
With her judgement made, the provost swept from the room, silence in her wake.
Through her bond, Melody could feel Dean’s anger and his embarrassment. Even though she believed he’d done the right thing, it had brought the provost’s judgement down upon them again, and as much as she might hope otherwise, Melody knew that open season had just been declared upon them all.
“Melody?” Mr. Cartwright said. “Perhaps you and your familiars could accompany Carla to the healing ward. I will provide you both with a copy of the notes from today’s lecture.”
“Yes, Sir,” Melody said quietly, thankful to get out of there.
“I will look after Quinn,” Mrs Hardinger told them all.
A low murmur had begun amongst the students, several of them casting speculative looks her way. It would only be a matter of time before the small attacks became overt ones, and the provost had as good as said she didn’t want to know anything about it.
Nick and Justin stood arguing quietly in the corridor when they emerged. It was unusual, because the two of them spoke so often in their mental link.
“You can’t just force her into it, it’s what her aunt did. She needs more time,” Nick was saying.
“She doesn’t have more fucking time,” Justin snarled then stomped away when he saw her. He was still angry over the rejection.
Nick walked over to her and slung an arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head. It was an unusual move for him, so she looked up at him, waiting for the other shoe to drop. He was comforting her before he dropped a bombshell.
Melody’s gaze met his hazel eyes, and her heart stuttered. He was so close, and so beautiful. When he licked his lips, she followed the movement, and his arm drew tighter around her shoulders. Their steps slowed as they stared at one another, Dean following the others, oblivious to the buzzing heat that seemed to sizzle between them.
“Nick,” she said softly.
It was like she’d released something in him. He spun her, pushing her against the wall as his mouth crashed into hers. Although passionate, Nick’s kiss was nothing like Justin’s. Where Justin was all fire and urgency. Nick’s kiss burned like ice. Like he was sucking all the breath from her lungs, leaving her weak but willing. Cold fire burned through her veins, searing her, sealing her, claiming her.
A small whimper left her lips and Nick groaned, beginning to grind his body against hers.
There was a tapping sound and his head jerked forward into hers, their teeth clashing.
“Not in the fucking corridor. If you shift and challenge her here, you’ll bring half the compound down,” Trent said, appearing from nowhere. “Either take it to the bedroom or get down to the arena.”
Nick stood there, leaning against her, crushing her, cradling her. His breath was as short and heavy as hers.
“My dragon is screaming at me to protect you,” he said, quietly. “Justin’s too. We know what she did in there. Adolphus is more dangerous for you than ever. But I can’t let you leave here without me, because you’d be even more vulnerable out there without us.”
“I’m not going to leave, Nick,” Melody said, determined. “I’m not going to let them win. I’ve dealt with bullies all my life, and I’ve got more freedom than ever. I’m not going to let them take away the choices that I just gained. Any more than I’m going to let your dragon do it.”
Nick groaned, grinding his hips against hers, the hardness of his erection prominent. “Mel,” he whispered.
“Fuck him or bond him,” Trent said slyly. “It’s not a terrible choice either way.”
Melody turned to stare at him, but Trent’s gaze was on Nick. Calmly, he reached up and put a hand around the taller shifter’s neck, then drew him down slowly. Nick allowed him, mesmerised, until Trent’s tongue darted out and licked across the seam of his lips. Then he exploded into action, shoving Trent against the wall beside Melody, kissing him hard, while he still ground his body against hers.
She watched the pair of them, fascinated. She’d seen shifters having sex back in the Bestia compound. They’d always tried to hide it from her, to protect her she suspected, but she knew what went on. Occasionally she’d see two men, or two women together, but nothing as up close and personal as this.
All Melody could think of was Trent and her in bed, when he’d brought her to her peak. She wondered which of the two men in front of her was in control, because although Nick seemed more dominant, Trent was more aware of what was happening. With a start, she realised he was watching her watch them, and his gaze grew more heated.
“I think our girl likes this, Nick,” Trent said, huskily, when Nick attacked his neck.
Melody’s core clenched. Yes, yes she did. She’d never done any of this before, but it didn’t mean that she didn’t want to.
Nick froze.
Slowly, he turned to face her, drawing in a deep breath. Trent did the same. Nick’s eyes had turned golden, while Trent’s blazed with the amber of his kitsune. Of course it would be the kitsune involved in
