Page 64 of Fortune Fae Academy
Help me get him to our room,I said to both Axel and Seif.
The moment Seifiek picked him up, the other Alphas pounced on the silver like lions devouring their prey.
A grim sensation settled over me as I trailed behind Seifiek with Axel protectively at my back.
The memories of what I had done in the past—what Seifiek had done—didn’t bother me nearly as much as they probably should.
It was the future that frightened me, because if I failed, this was only the beginning.
And when all of us were settled, Rowan in my Nest and a sponge in my hand to clean him, I remembered something else with a start.
Where is Zeke?
I’d forgottenwhat a fucking pain in the ass it was to legally travel through Fortune Fae portal gates.
I just wanted to go the fuck home.
“Papers,” said a bored patrol guard. Other realms didn’t have to deal with this shit, but Fortune Fae Elders had their thumbs so far up everyone’s asses, it was a wonder they didn’t puppeteer us and have us spewing their shit.
Not verbally responding, I adjusted the glasses hiding my eyes, then shoved an envelope with a single document inside.
One that gave me permission to go anywhere—or at least, it should have. It seemed that even the High Bishop’s signature wasn’t worth much these days. Not that I’d ever used my family privilege before. Traveling illegally was much more fun.
But to get home and do what I would need to do, I had to do this one by the books.
I’d been gone from the House of Wisdom for a while, but I’d left on good terms. As far as anyone else was aware, I’d venturedoff to find myself a proper mate-circle to better my family’s Dust stores. As a Beta, it was my duty to find an Omega to suck dry.
To my surprise, I had found an Omega. A beautiful and perfect Omega I wasn’t worthy of. Even as one of the Blind, I would be expected to draw out her Dust. And more so now that I had no use for it. I preferred to worship her instead.
Unless I joined the Temple and took the vow of the Way of the Web.
Which would cut me off from Gina and Rowan forever.
Pain constricted around my heart as I immediately halted that train of thought before I did something stupid, like reopening my mate-bond connection with her or Rowan, even if just to say goodbye.
I’d already said my goodbyes to Rowan. He would give my love to Gina. She would be well cared for.
No matter how much it hurt, I couldnotgo back to Gina. I couldn’t return to Rowan or even think about a mate-circle after Amell had cursed me.
To do so would be selfish. One slipup, one mistake, and they’d be dead.
Because I’d cut myself off from them, I had no idea if they were alive or dead. The desire to check in, even for just a moment, all but consumed me.
But I didn’t. Instead, I strengthened my spiritual walls to keep myself isolated. If they were dead, then there was nothing I could do. If they were alive… then staying as far away as possible was my only option to keep them safe.
The guard frowned at the parchment. A glimmering shadow of silver confirmed the High Bishop’s seal of approval, which was worth more than its weight in Dust.
He pulled up a device, then his eyes flashed with silver as he used magic to make it function. Fortune Fae technology wascoming a long way and only those who kissed the Collegium’s asses seemed to benefit from it.
“I’m going to need council approval to see you through,” he said, lowering the device. “You’re still on the ledger as a student at the Academy and I don’t see any release documents.”
Irritation made my fingers tingle. Ripping off my glasses, I enjoyed the way the guard flinched at my appearance. I couldn’t see his expression because my vision only showed me collections of Dust in objects and people, but I could easily make out his silhouette and the widening of his eyes that pulsed with silver.
“I’ve given vows to join the Temple. That disqualifies me as a student,” I informed him. Even though I hadn’t actually given my vows yet, he didn’t have to know that. I was hinging my bluff on the expectation that Amell would have kept the news of the flux isolated. Every Fortune Fae in the realm, and probably those out of it, would have felt the disruption, but such high-level disturbances could be explained away. It wasn’t just a flux that caused them.
The guard stared at me as if unsure of what to think, so I pressed my point further.
“I can’t serve both a mate-circle and the Way of the Web. The High Bishop will sever my mate-bond ties when I arrive.” I glanced down at the document so he couldn’t spot the heartbreak in my eyes. “There’s his signature right there. I assume you’ve never seen it before, but feel free to check its authenticity. Or perhaps I shall call my uncle to check it for you?” I leaned in, pausing for dramatic effect. “Ranold would be very interested to hear about this.”
