ARMANI
"My mom told me what you said to Emerson after all she did to help you, and I get that you're the big, bad dragon, but that was fucking low. She didn't deserve that," Damien said, looking at me with disappointment, the same look I'd gotten accustomed to seeing on my father's face throughout the weekend.
My mother didn't even bother talking to me anymore. This morning, she'd sent the maids to deliver a message to me when she'd normally do it herself.
I'd spent the entire weekend feeling like shit, so no, I didn't need his bullshit on top of everything I had going on in my head.
"Drop it, Dame," I growled. "It's none of your business."
"Seriously, what are you hoping to achieve by hiding the truth from everyone?"
I snorted. "The cat's already out of the bag, isn't it?"
North laughed. "It wasn't before, but it most definitely is now. Damn, I love me some payback."
"What are you talking about?" I turned away from my locker, following North's line of sight.
The air rushed out of me when my eyes landed on Emerson, with yet another crop top, showing off the mark on her waist. This time around, I was sure it was intentional.
Murmurs filled the hallway as students began to connect the dots. They'd seen the mark on my hand all week, and they'd all assumed Cheryl put it there.
Seeing Emerson with a flame identical to mine ruled out the narrative I had running for the whole of last week. Everyone now knew I'd lied about Cheryl and me.
I smirked to myself.
'Not bad, kitten. Not bad,' I thought as she walked past me, pretending like she didn't see me. She looked fucking stunning like always, but the nude lipstick she had on was doing all sorts of things to my cock. 'Down, boy.'
What I didn't like was the way the guys feasted on that toned waist of hers with their eyes like she was their last fucking meal on earth.
"I'm sensing your reaction is leaning toward that of a possessive boyfriend, not the normal dragon-rider relationship," Damien said, a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Fuck off, Viscon. You don't know what you're talking about."
I slammed my locker shut, heading for class when the principal's voice boomed in the PA system.
"Mr. DeVille and Ms. Davenport, please report to the principal's office."
Oh, hell. She'd just gotten here all of sixty seconds, and the rumors had already spread to the principal.
I heard the twins' laughter behind me, but I don't turn to address them. They could both suck my dick for all I cared, figuratively of course.
"You've got some explaining to do, boy. Don't keep the principal waiting," North said, his voice smug.
I flipped him my middle finger over my shoulder, switching directions to the principal's office.
***
EMERSON
I woke up feeling great this morning, which was shocking for me because I knew I was going back to that awful school to face an even more awful dragon.
Belinda's plan was simple; make him regret everything he said to you, and she said the first step in taking control of the situation was by showing the world the mark he so desperately wanted me to hide.
Nobody was aware of the mark yet except our close families. I wasn't sure if the bureau officers saw the mark or not, but they gave zero commentaries on it.
"He needs to know he fucked up when he spoke to you that way. You're sure of the underlying sexual tension between you two, right?" Belinda asked this morning as she worked on my eyeliner.
"I think so, yeah." I didn't imagine anything that happened in that classroom. We would have kissed had Cheryl not interrupted
"You need to look like a forbidden fruit; one he craves so desperately, but can sink his teeth into."
"And you think the crop top will do the trick?"
"The crop top is making a statement, and it works in this instance. Armani will be drooling over you. Lastly, your lips. You guys don't have a dress code at Sotsyce Academy, right?"
"No." I saw a group of girls wearing crop tops last week, and they weren't reprimanded for it.
"Good." She dropped an array of lipsticks on her bed beside me. "Pick a color."
I went for nude because it was the safest option. I didn't want bold colors that drew all the attention to my face.
"Great choice. This will make your lips look like you got fillers over the weekend." She applied lipstick to my lips, pulling back with an accomplished smile as she admired her handiwork. "Damn, you look hot. I think a high ponytail would go well at this moment, but we're gonna curl the ends."
It had taken a lot of work, but I'd enjoyed every minute of it, not necessarily because of the routine. It had everything to do with me enjoying my sister's company. Belinda was excited she got to doll me up.
The work did pay off in the end, because I looked flawless when she was done. She opted to drop me off at school before heading for hers because I still hadn't gotten a call from my dearest parents. I had no idea where I stood with them, and I didn't know if I was supposed to make the first move.
"I need to know how he reacts when he sees you."
I rolled my eyes at her, pushing the door open. "I heard you the first twenty times you said it."
From the look on Armani's face, I'd say Belinda's plan worked. I just didn't like the extra stares I got from the students, but oh well. little to pay.
"Can someone explain what's going on?" The principal asked, fixing us with his stern glare.
"Where do I start from?" I asked, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
"The beginning."
"So, on my second day here, I grabbed Armani's hand by mistake, and he held my waist by mistake, so now, we have this mistake tying us for life."
"Mistake?" The principal's eyes sought Armani's out, probably trying to get more depth on the situation, but Armani remained quiet.
I shrugged. "It was nothing more than that. He said as much. Fast forward to this morning, I am my own person, and I am free to wear whatever I want. It just so happened to reveal the mistake to the entire school."
"Sounds like you two have an issue to sort out, but the pressing issue at hand is how you both plan on handling the prophecy," the principal said. Apparently, that was enough to break Armani's silence.
"We don't need to sort anything out. I have myself sorted out already. I don't need a human to help me."
"That human is your rider. You need her help."
"For what?"
"The prophecy. She needs to tame you or you'll destroy Draconix."
"How is she going to do that?"
"We don't know, but you have well-read teachers who will be there to help you two every step of the way. That's the purpose of this academy."
Armani whispered something that sounded a lot like 'no shit'. I was sure the principal also heard, but he ignored it.
"With all due respect, sir, no. If we're done here, I'd like to get to class."
He nodded stiffly, conceding to Armani's request. "We'll have this discussion some other time. Maybe with both your parents around."
"Sure."
We headed for the door at the same time. Armani's hand closed over mine at the same time I reached for the doorknob.
"Do you mind?"
He huffed, removing his hand over mine. I pulled the door open, waiting for him to go through first. "After you, princess," I said with a sweet smile.
"Didn't notice the outfit this time around?" Armani asked, but his voice lacked the heat I was expecting. Instead, he sounded almost… amused? There was no telling with him.
"I did, but guess what, Armani? You don't control what I wear."
"Never said I did. I have something to say to you."
"If you want to remind me about how you don't want me as a rider, save it. I heard enough of it last week."
He shook his head. "That's not what I want to say."
"Whatever it is, it will have to wait. I have class right now, and my life doesn't revolve around your… "
I didn't get to complete my sentence because Armani threw me over his shoulder.
"Put me down! Where are you taking me?"
"To class. Let's see what Mrs. Briggs has to say."
"About what?"
"You'll see."
Right now, I was glad I didn't go with the loser crop top. My tits would have been hanging out by now. He opened the classroom door, poking his head through.
"Hey, Mrs. Briggs. I was wondering if you could give us a pass to talk things through between us."
"Yeah, sure. Remember, communication is key."
"Thank you."
I gaped at how easy it was to convince the teacher. She didn't even question me being thrown over his shoulder.
"My word is law, Emerson," Armani said like he could read my mind.
"Fuck you."
He clapped his hand down on my ass, sending a thrill through me. "Careful with your words, Emerson. I just might."
"I'd rather die."
He chuckled, and I hated it. I hated that I still liked him after the horrible things he said to me. I hated that I still felt desire for him.
"We'll see about that."