Chapter 32: Rescue of One
AYLA
"How dare you sleep with him!"
The shrill accusation echoed through the etiquette hall just as I bent to gather my books.
I sighed before I even looked up to see Willow advancing in my direction, her eyes glittering with anger.
The other ladies immediately stopped what they were doing, their curious eyes darting between us.
The instructor had only just dismissed class, yet somehow Willow had managed to corner me before I could make my escape.
I straightened slowly.
"What do you want now?"
"What do I want?" she laughed bitterly. "You slept with Ares."
There was no point denying it. The mark on my neck had made sure of that.
I folded my arms.
"You sound surprised considering you are the reason what happened to him happened."
Understanding flashed across her face.
"Do I need to say more? I know you poisoned the drink."
"Oh, shut up." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "What else are you going to blame me for? Jumping into Ares’ bed was all you."
My lips slowly curved.
"Yes, it was."
She blinked at this, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.
"And it was delicious."
Willow’s face turned crimson.
"What?"
She looked seconds away from exploding but I wasn’t finished.
"Would you like a play-by-play?"
A scream tore from her throat as she lunged at me.
"You bitch!"
I barely had time to brace before she crashed into me, knocking both of us backward.
Her fingers tangled in my hair and I in turn grabbed a fistful of her blond curls and yanked it hard.
"You animal!" She shrieked, slapping me across the face.
Pain exploded across my cheek and something inside me snapped. I punched her square in the mouth.
Willow stumbled backward, clutching her lip.
"You hit me!"
"You hit me first."
She screamed again and rushed me but this time I was ready.
I shoved her shoulders and she stumbled, crashing into the long table behind her and sending books flying everywhere.
"Ayla! Separate them!" the teacher’s voice rang out in warning.
Hands grabbed at me, trying to pull me away.
"You little..." Willow grunted, scratching at my face.
I kicked wildly as I was dragged backwards.
They finally succeeded in separating us.
Willow’s eyes were filled with murderous hatred.
"This is not over." she said, pointing a finger at me. "Not by a long shot. I will fucking ruin you. I will make sure you regret ever being born."
"I would like to see you fucking try." I snapped back.
Willow looked ready to attack again but she did not. Instead she stormed from the room, slamming the door behind her.
I bent forward, picked up my books and tucked them beneath my arm and without another word, I walked away.
Without another word...
I walked away.
The afternoon air cooled my flushed face as I made my way toward my room.
It had been two days. Two days since Ares had left and every morning I woke hoping someone would tell me he had returned.
I missed him more than I wanted to admit.
Cassian on the other hand...
Ever since the morning outside Ares’ room, he barely looked at me and if our paths crossed, he simply inclined his head politely before walking away.
It hurt more than I cared to admit.
I sighed.
What had changed?
I rounded the corner leading toward the princes’ wing when hands shot out and seized me, a palm clamping over my mouth to prevent me from screaming.
My books tumbled onto the floor as I was yanked into the shadow between two stone pillars.
My heart hammered violently in my chest as my attacker released me only for me to realize it was the same man who had come to my room some days ago, Alistair.
I shoved his hand away.
"What are you doing?" I gasped. "You frightened me."
His gaze dropped straight to the mark on my neck and his expression darkened. "I cannot believe you would stoop so low, Ayla."
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
His jaw jerked toward the bite. "That. Why would you let that happen? Why would you let him mark you"
His grip tightened painfully around my arm.
I winced.
"Let go of me, you are hurting me."
His fingers only dug deeper into my arm.
"I said let go."
"You and I need to talk. You need to know who you really are."
"Everything okay?"
The new voice made us both turn.
Damon stood a few feet away, his brows drawn together in a frown.
His eyes settled immediately on Alistair’s hand gripping my arm.
"I asked you a question. Why are you harassing the lady?"
"I am not." Alistair released me immediately and his expression became polite.
Everything about him changed to one of meekness which frightened me more than what he had said earlier.
"We were merely speaking."
"We were," I added quickly.
Damon looked at me.
"You expect me to believe that?"
I opened my mouth to argue but nothing came out.
His gaze returned to Alistair.
"Leave."
Alistair didn’t move.
"Do you really want me to repeat myself?"
Damon took one step forward.
Alistair’s jaw flexed. Anger flashed across his face, but he stepped back. "Of course not, my lord. Excuse me." He bowed stiffly and walked away, disappearing down the corridor.
Damon waited until he was gone before he turned back to me.
"You are shaking."
I looked down. He was right.
My hands trembled uncontrollably.
"I..."
"Come with me"
I let him lead me down the short hallway to his room. His room was surprisingly tidy. He closed the door behind us and gestured to a chair near the window and I sat.
His eyes trailed my body stopping at the mark on neck.
I waited, expecting the disappointment that had come from Cassian and Alistair but instead he walked to his beside table, opened one of the drawers and returned with a small tin that he handed over to me.
"What is this?" I asked.
He arched an eyebrow. "Salve. My brother can be rough."
Heat crawled up my face.
"Oh"
I collected it from him.
"Thank you."
"Does everyone know?" I asked, my face heating up some more.
"I do not think so," he said. "But I did feel him mark you."
My eyes snapped up to his. "You did what?"
"When he marked you. I felt the bond happen."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
It made sense now... Cassian’s reaction.
He had felt Ares claim me!