[Ayla's POV]I stare out the window of Aera's car trying to fight the urge to ask him exactly what is going through his head.Since leaving Crimson Tides, neither of us had spoken, which would have been fine, but there were so many unasked questions hovering around us that it was about to drive me insane."Why?" I finally ask, unable to take it any longer. "Why are you doing this?""Doing what?" Aera murmurs, keeping his gaze fixed directly on the road. "I don't know what you mean."I bite back my initial response, which would only make him defensive, while clenching and unclenching my fists to remain calm.Keep it together, Ayla. I chant internally while taking a few calming breaths."Why aren't you turning me into the elders?" I continue. "Why take me to Caelum instead?"When he found me associating with Marah, I truly thought that this was it for me. Aera would turn me in to the elders for treason, and then I would be thrown in a cell to rot. But instead, here we were playing fake
[Ayla's POV]I pull out my phone, which Aera had so generously allowed me to keep since the cell service around Caelum was jammed around the premises, and search up some music. Once a song that has recently been popular begins to play, I begin to sing along.However, before I can get too far into removing the packed on layers of dust, the sound of locks being unlocked reaches my ears.Turning, I wait until Aera appears with a woman dressed in a simple gray shirt and black pants with her dark hair tied into a bun at the top of her head appears.For a moment, they both eye me as I wait for an explanation for the sudden intrusion."What are you doing?" Aera finally asks, breaking the silence."Isn't it obvious?" I respond, motioning to the area I've already cleaned. "This place is filthy, so I was giving it a clean. I'm assuming I'm going to be trapped here for some time, so I'm trying to make it feel more homey."Once again, Aera and the woman simply eye me as if I'm this strange creatu
[Aera's POV]Ayla's words haunt me as I leave her and head back to Caelum's packhouse. I don't understand why, but they leave a bad taste in my mouth and leave me on edge as I head upstairs for my nightly visit with Alphonze.When I find him, he is sitting in front of the window, staring down at the grounds below."Who is she?" He asks in the way of greeting."Who is who?" I ask, moving forward and wrapping an arm around him to help him from the chair he sits in to his bed. "I don't know who you're referring to.""Aera!" he sighs, his voice filled with warning. "Don't play dumb with me.""I'm not," I counter, easily lifting Alphonze and wincing due to just how light he truly is. "Anyway, why did Martin leave you alone in that chair, knowing damn well that you're unable to get out of it yourself?"The thought of firing Martin on the spot hits me, but I know damn well that Alphonze wouldn't allow it.For years, we searched for a caregiver that meshed well with Alphonze's personality, an
[Ayla’s POV]A low growl erupts from Aera’s throat as his quickly darkening eyes take me in with both hunger and hesitance.Despite being aware of the fact this was nothing more than a dream, he was still holding back, interesting. But if this were easy, then it wouldn’t be fun, and I loved a good challenge."Do you not want me?" I pout, feigning hurt.For a moment, Aera’s expression shifts, and he sits up, giving a huff as if snapping out of some daze, giving me the perfect chance to attack.Getting to my knees, I push my bare chest against his back, being sure to gently rub it as my arms reach around so my hands can touch his broad chest with the right amount of hair sprinkling across it.Goddess, he was gorgeous, and even if this was nothing more than revenge for him using me in some fucking bet, I still intended to get my fill of this man."Come on," I whisper, nipping at his ear while one of my hands heads south. "Are you really going to deny a woman who is all but throwing herse
[Ayla’s POV]My eyes snap open, allowing morning light to attack them, so I have to blink a few times to clear my vision.Once I can see, I hop up in bed and head toward my window, extending my senses until I can hear Aera cursing.Smiling brightly, I feel a wave of satisfaction rush through me, knowing he was probably in a lot of pain. However, before I can really let myself get lost in my gloating, my stomach rumbles.Giving Caelum Estate one more look, I turn and head to the kitchen, then begin to rummage in the fridge until I find some eggs that Angelica brought over the night before.Pulling them out, I begin to search through the cabinets lining a small gas-burning stove until I find a pan.Humming to myself, I begin to fry up the eggs while brewing up some coffee, and once my breakfast is ready, I prepare to plop down on my bed to eat, but stop as the sound of locks unlatching reaches me.Frowning, I sit my spoils down on the kitchen counter and head to the door just in time fo
[Aera's POV]I stare down at my blanket, which is covered in cum, cursing Ayla fucking Jameson for being the one responsible for this happening.'But was it her?' Rayze chuckles, purposely flashing an image of Ayla completely naked and covered in sweat across my mind. 'She isn't responsible for what your perverted brain comes up with.''Shut the fuck up,' I growl, pushing him away while I rip up my now ruined blanket."Fucking seductress," I huff before storming into the bathroom and hopping in the shower. "She's like a damn spirit that has attached itself to me."Trying to not remember that hot damn dream, I turn on the water and let it beat down on my head while I close my eyes. However, that ends up being a terrible idea as Ayla chained up with her legs spread wide open, so I have the perfect view of her soaked core and swollen clit flashes in my mind, causing my dick to throb with desire that can't be eased by the one responsible for making it like that.Cursing, I reach down and
[Ayla’s POV]When we arrive at the academy for my training, I scurry out of the car and quickly go around to Alphonze’s side and pull open the door while Aera heads around back to pull out his wheelchair. Once he has it set up, I begin to reach in to help Alphonze but stop as Aera’s hand clamps on my shoulder."What?" I ask, trying to ignore the delicious energy I feel from where Aera touches me. "Do you need something?""I’ll help him," Aera responds easily. "You’ve done enough."Frowning, I simply nod and take a step back to watch as Aera easily lifts Alphonze out of the car and sits him in his seat. After he is settled in, I prepare to grab his chair and roll him to the training field, but am beat by Aera."I told you I’d help him," Aera repeats, shooting me a look. "Shouldn’t you go ahead and get ready for training?"Instantly, a smile begins to spread across my face as I finally realize what has been bugging Aera since we left Caelum Estate.When we piled into the car and took of
[Aera’s POV]What was I doing? Why was I doing this? Why the hell was I going this far to disprove the truth about the relationship between Ayla and me?It was because anytime I touched her, something came over me, and all I wanted was to possess her and claim her. What the fuck was this? What in the actual hell was wrong with me?"Mmph."Hands touch my chest and push hard enough to snap me out of the fucking daze I find myself getting lost in.Pulling away, I stare down into Ayla’s dark eyes. I take in her flushed cheeks, and despite myself, I let my gaze dip down to take in her cleavage, which is rising and falling rapidly as she works to collect her breath."What the hell are you doing?" She hisses, her gaze narrowing. "Did you forget that we’ve got an audience?"Her words are like a bucket of ice-cold water that clears the last bit of the haze that I’m stuck in.Cursing, I take in all the students that are watching us, waiting for more of a show, but they won’t be getting it."As