I squeezed my legs tightly together to ease the ache there, all the while dropping my head against the door to catch my breath.
My fingers flew across the letters.
What, like that’s meant to be a punishment?
I wasn't an idiot, but a part of me seriously wanted to push Rafe. Maybe it was all my words about following your heart and how life was short to Mattie, but I felt a great urge to see how far I could get with my prickly prince.
Angel: Violet...
Catch me if you can.
I shut my palm reader down, pulling my shoes on in the same instant, then I grabbed up the few books I needed and hauled ass out of the room. It wasn't that late, not even nine, and a lot of students were still around. The library was open until midnight today, so I wouldn't be alone.
It didn't feel overly dangerous to take this risk, just a little naughty, and keeping my men on their toes was a fun game. I hadn't run off or lied—Rafe knew exactly where I was going—and knowing that prince, he'd be on my ass before I was halfway to the library.
The halls were actually quite deserted as I ran through them, and the thrill of the chase only increased when I was sure that someone was following. Turning back a few times, I didn't see anyone there, but I felt their eyes. That heavy stare.
My palm reader buzzed consistently on my wrist, but I didn't check it. One misstep and Rafe would have me—I really hated losing to him. A small group of seniors were just ahead on the path, a few halls from the library, and I had to slow to get around them. As I sidled past, I glanced back more thoroughly, blinking at the shadowed figure ducking into a classroom.
It was definitely a male, tall and broad, but why was he hiding? Rafe wouldn't hide from me... He would haul me over his shoulder and drag me back to his room.
"Violet!" a familiar voice growled, and I swung startled eyes on Rafe. "You're in so much trouble, Cinderella."
He must have noticed my expression then because his playful anger faded into something serious. "What did you see?"
"Someone was following me," I got out through my clenched jaw. "At first I thought it was you, but... it wasn't."
"Uriel," Rafe bit out, and then he took off along the hall.
I was right on his heels.
He thought he could take Uriel on, and maybe he could—I'd yet to see anyone fight like Fallen Angel. But I would never underestimate my sensei. Rafe and I together would have a much better shot.
"Which room?" Rafe asked, when it was clear no one was in the hall any longer.
Moving back a bit, I stopped at the spot where the dark figure had disappeared. "Here," I said.
This door led into a chemistry lab, and as Rafe eased open the door, the light from the hallway spilled into the entrance, showcasing the high tables and lab equipment.
As he stepped inside, he turned to me, lifting his hand to give the universal signal for "get the fuck behind me." Wrinkling my nose at him, I shook my head. Just because I understood that signal didn't mean I was blindly following it.
Our silent argument was a waste of time, so we compromised by entering the room side by side. When we reached the middle, I was the one now telling him to go right and I would go left. The room was huge, more of a lecture theater than a classroom, so it made sense to split up.
Rafe shook his head, but I didn't give a fuck, already moving on silent feet toward the panel near the lecture podium where the lights were controlled. Uriel was a pretty big man, so there weren't many places he could hide in here. Especially once the lights were on.
Knowing Rafe, he probably had cat-like night vision. I, on the other hand, preferred a well-lit fighting space. I flipped the switches and the overhead halogens flickered to life. Moving quickly, I made my way to a table nearby. One that had a lab coat draped over the chair and would be the most logical hiding place I could see.
When I reached it, I slowly lifted the long, white material, my eyes straining for the slightest movement. My position was vulnerable, allowing someone to reach out and grab me from under the table, so I turned my body a different way to reduce my risk.
Lifting the last of the coat, I struck out, only to find the table was empty.
A hand landed on my shoulder as I turned away, and with a silent cry, I struck out, slamming my palms into a rock hard shoulder. Rafe's face appeared before me, and I halted my next strike.
"Nothing?" he said softly.
I shook my head, confused by his lack of reaction. I'd hit him a good one, but the boy didn't even act like he'd felt it. Typical.
"He's gone," I said, relaxing. "Maybe it wasn't even anything. I mean, I saw a shadowy figure disappear into a classroom. Maybe it was a teacher."
Rafe nailed me with an exasperated expression. "Or maybe it was Uriel disappearing into the secret passageways and you almost got yourself fucking kidnapped again because you didn't listen to me."
I jabbed him in the chest. "Hold up, dickhead. I didn't get kidnapped last time; you did. I came to your rescue willingly."
He opened his mouth to argue, then the truth of what I'd said seemed to register. "That still doesn't give you the right to take chances. Not any more. You know why?"
I crossed my arms, setting my face into a smooth, expressionless mask. "I'm sure you're about to tell me."
"Because now you have to stay alive for more than yourself, Violet; you have to stay alive for me and Jordan as well. It's a huge fucking responsibility, one we expect you to take seriously."
"What do you mean I have to stay alive for you?"
Rafe wrapped his arms around me in a sudden, desperate movement. "If you die, then so the fuck do we. So stay alive!"
I buried my face into his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my cheek. "If you die, I do as well," I whispered against his chest.
This was how Rafe and I declared our love for each other. There was nothing traditional about us, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I pulled back, and his lips were on mine, a scorching, claiming kiss that rendered me without either thought or care.
All I wanted was this moment with him. To feel and taste and touch.
He pulled away far too soon, his hand reaching down to lift the bag that was draped across my shoulders and hanging against my thigh. "Come on, let's get you to the library. Jordan’s meeting us there."
With one last look around the empty room, we walked together in silence, our steps syncing as we moved. The library wasn't as crowded as normal—the later hour meant many of the students were already gone for the night—so there was plenty of room for me to settle in between Jordan and Rafe.
In hurried whispers we told Jordan about the possible Uriel sighting, and my American prince's face stayed hard and unyielding as he ran his gaze over me, no doubt checking for injuries. "No more time alone," he bit out, and when I started to protest, annoyed that everyone was underestimating my own badassness, he cut me off. "I mean it, Vi. I will literally tie your ass to my bed and sit next to you every single day until this is over if you don't start being more cautious."
Our whispered conversation was tense, and I shot Rafe a glare as he leaned back in his chair, smug that for once it wasn't him ripping me a new one.
"I'm not being unsafe," I finally managed to get out. "I'm not wandering off the academy grounds on my own or even going to the deserted sections of the school. The hall between my room and the library is always full of people, and I warned Rafe what I was doing."
Jordan took my hand, and when his eyes softened, going all pleading, I knew I'd lost this argument. "Please, Vi. For us, please do not go anywhere alone."
Ah, fuck. "Okay, but you two had better be okay with tampons if I need someone to accompany me to the bathroom during school hours."
Neither of them even flinched. Apparently blood was no issue for my two guardian angels. Or maybe they just somehow knew I was one of the lucky people who didn’t get a period with an IUD.
Even so, nothing fazed these two. Except apparently me wandering off on my own.
Figured.
Chapter 23
The rest of my week was spent in class, studying, and existing in this weird bubble of perfect with my two princes. Sex was even working out, with both of them being considerate enough to give me alone time with the other, and so far no one was acting butthurt about missing out.
This was the best version of dating two men that I could have imagined, the only problem being that everything was too perfect. It worried me that soon it would all crumble around me.
"Are you ready for your game today?" I asked Jordan. Rafe had already taken off for an early morning warm-up. This was their first soccer match since returning, and Jordan had been given a clean bill of health, with his injuries all but healed. I was still worried though.
"I'm excited to get back on the field," he told me after he finished brushing his teeth, so now he just watched me as I braided my hair to get ready for the day. Both princes seemed to enjoy this domestic life we were building together. Our perfect bubble. Jordan moved a little closer, his eyes on mine in the mirror. "I heard that Alex is back as well."
I paused, my fingers halfway through securing the hair tie. "He's back from Australasia?"
Rumor had it that he’d been there wrapping up all the business to do with his parents’ deaths. Claiming his crown. Riding some waves... or kangaroos. Whatever the fuck they did over there. It had been nice not having him here to deal with, but apparently my luck had run out.