Ravage - Lacey Andersen (surface ebook reader .txt) 📗

lunch in silence. Rayne was the guy who filled up our time with his stories and laughter. Without him, we stared a lot at his seat. We laughed, then grew quiet. But now that Esmeray was here, all we had were stories about her.

And yet, the shift was unexpected.

Lucian had told us about his fight with the iron demon and about Esmeray. It was hard to breathe as he described what had happened. A part of me felt angry with myself for not knowing she was in trouble. A part of me hated myself for not being there to protect her.

But there was also something inside of me that wished I had been the one to offer her protection instead of Lucian. Never before had I seen him as competition. It bothered me that I was jealous of a man who was like my brother.

And then Bron had told us about what had happened in their class. Fucking professor asshole is going to regret hurting our Esmeray. But as angry as I was, I was also shocked that a teacher at this academy would stand up so blatantly against the Bloodmores. No one had been that foolish with Rayne.

The three of us had come to the conclusion that Esmeray was in more danger here than we ever imagined, and that we needed to keep a better eye on her. We just hadn’t decided how exactly to do that with her being so pissed at us.

When lunch ends, it feels weird to head to our next classes. And yet, I’m looking forward to working out the strange tension beneath my skin. At the gym, I change into my sweat clothes and step out into the huge room with mats laid all over the floors. Fighting for Your Life was a class all students were required to take every year. And although most people hated it, it was my favorite class.

Until I spot Esmeray.

I stop, frozen in my tracks. She wears the flowing white top that all the fae women wear, with the short white shorts, but it looks completely different on her. Even though it’s loose at her waist, it hugs the curves of her breasts, and the shorts show off her long, beautiful legs. For a second I can’t seem to remember to breathe, but then my gaze meets hers, and she lifts a brow, breaking the spell.

WIthout a thought, I move to stand at her side. My arms fold in front of me. I silently dare anyone in the room to try to touch her. Esmeray had been hurt too much already, and I’d be damned if I allowed someone to hurt her with me here.

“Dwade, you’re looking big, as always.”

I let my gaze slide to her. She’s mocking me. And damn it if I don’t mind one bit.

It feels like my damn heart is swelling as I look at her. Did we think it was smart to stay away from her until we could offer her everything? Did we want to graduate and come to her as men, swearing our lives, and our estates to her? We’d dreamed of laying it all at her feet and making it impossible for her to refuse us.

But just looking at her, I know we were wrong to wait. Life wasn’t complete without her at our sides.

“Still not talking much? Got it.”

I try to think of something to say, but my mouth opens and nothing comes out. I’m not exactly good with words in any situation, but Esmeray always finds a way to make me feel even more awkward. Like anything I say will end up being the wrong thing.

“Dwade!” A blonde named Alice comes sprinting up to me, fluttering her long eyelashes. “Do you think you can show me that new move today?”

“Actually,” I clear my throat, “I think I’ll help Esmeray today.”

Alice’s gaze slides to Esmeray and her joyful emotions change, instantly radiating jealousy and annoyance before she hides her feelings away. “Oh, so this is Rayne’s sister? I guess I expected…someone more like him. But I guess you boys feel a need to watch out for her. That’s so sweet of you. The poor thing is probably feeling lost.”

I’m trying to figure out what the hell to say to that when Esmeray speaks instead. “First of all, I’m right here. You don’t have to talk about me like I’m fucking invisible.”

Alice presses a hand to her chest. “Oh, my!”

“Second of all, I don’t need anyone to watch out for me. You want Dwade? Take him.”

Something snaps inside of me. “I’m sparring with Esmeray.”

Alice’s lips pull into a thin line. “Well, then, enjoy sparring with your dirty-mouthed little Bloodmore.”

“Oh, I will,” I say, and my voice comes out deep, hinting at things I hadn’t even realized I was thinking.

But when I turn back to Esmeray, there’s no denying it. I don’t want to just protect her. I don’t want another man’s hands on her. For a second I picture her sparring with another man, and rage and jealousy overwhelm me. The emotions pour from me, making it hard to breathe.

I don’t even realize I’ve closed my eyes when I feel someone touch my chest. My eyes flash open, and there’s Esmeray, her small hand stroking down my chest, her eyes darkened with desire. My brain freezes, and I feel her drinking in my emotions, and god dammit does the knowledge turn me on. I want her to feed on me and only me. I want to fill her up, and then offer her my cock.

A shudder rolls through me. There was nothing more intimate than feeding on your mate’s emotions while you pleasure their body. I’d never experienced it before, but from the look on Esmeray’s face, that was what she wanted right now too.

“Okay, class, let’s get started!”

I can’t look away from her. If she gives me the smallest signal, I’ll drag her from this room and find a quiet place to fuck her. I’ll tear down those little