IA

ing to themselves, probably gossiping about how shabby I looked and how someone like me had sneaked into the Academy. That's right. I'd someho

f the registration office. A high-pitch

haired woman. She wore thick-framed glasses and a red dress. On h

bottom with a look of ba

asked, her voice l

stration," I repli

r invitation

my bag. I hadn't thought that far ahead. I should've expected th

ond, a knock on the

d a head full of tousled brown curls and bright green eyes that glimmered

s," he greeted w

e held out an envelope

this outside,

icion, unsure of what h

and I forced out a smile, moving over to take it from him. Once I

ater," he told me.

d and tore it open. The moment she pulled out the invita

ting between me and the le

nne Nightbourne?

es

led as she grabbed her stamp and mark

ed to turn to know who it was. The air itself shifted, carrying his s

up my spine. What

, her voice dripping with sugar. I went rigid. No.

oat. He's a professor at the Academy? I couldn't breathe

ool. Oblivious to my spiraling thoughts, Ms.Philips leaned forward, a coy

udent?" he asked,

gigg

ched m

flicking her wrist as if I were a speck of dus

t, anger and humiliati

my heartbeat hammering in my ears. My hands shook as I wa

augh bubbled up in my throat. The u

my chest. I needed to focus. I hadn't come here for him. I ha

ne had gone through the trouble of sending this to me. But why? And that guy from ea

I did know. I needed help. And unfortunately, there was only one

desk, I heard the door open. I'd sneaked in afte

I heard him say

nt he stepped into his office. Could h

myself," he stated wi

e door, the soft glow of the lights illuminating his gorgeous face. Dressed in a white shirt with

, but my tattered pride wouldn't let me. Especiall

y expression on his fa

urne?" He asked, moving towards his des

d he quietly placed the papers on his de

my student, are you not?" He stated, his res

ate. As far as I can tell, you haven't rejected me...yet,"

e demanded, and I sighed, moving away

epping closer, determined to

you so uptight?" I chal

turned, heading for his chair

as standing, my fingers curled around his wrist. The next, he turned, his movements fluid and precise, guiding me bac

sent my heart pounding. he lift

ssion just controlled streng

h, the subtle way his grip softened

his coldness, he was c

cautious. I knew he was aware of my condition-of the beneath his life gro

ay he wanted to pull me closer. I swallo

he bruise on my neck, a remnant of the cruelty I'd suffered in Mount V

id, his voice laced with undertones of something dark. I should have taken it as

l," I pointed out, and he rele

steeling my resolve. I'd come here to get his help.

for you," I announc

ropo

l the space between us was negligible. He

on my side. There was no

on him. He moved closer to me until my back hit the wall. Then hi

said, his voice dropping to a heart-raci

M

anything else, I lea

waist, pulling me closer before he suddenly

s unacc

ce!" I blurted out, my voice raw w

bloodline of Lunar royalty." I watched as his ex

tinued, tilting my head, my heart pounding. "Are you going

ckled with tension as