Thornhill Academy. Chapter 111

**Allison**

Breakfast smells like heaven and chaos this morning. Kael’s somehow managed to use every pan in existence and still make the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever tasted. Evander’s pretending not to notice the mess, leaning back in his chair with that patient, long-suffering look he gets whenever Kael decides he’s “got this.” Rhaziel sits at the end of the table, elegant even with a mug of coffee in his hand, shadows curling lazily around his shoulders like they’re listening to every word, and his tail has found its way under the table and is currently sitting across my lap like a seat belt. It’s the kind of morning I never thought I’d have, warm, loud and stupidly domestic. The boys have clearly decided that “their rooms” are now just decorative concepts. They’ve moved into mine, their things spreading across every available surface. Kael’s boots under the window, Evander’s books stacked on my dresser. Honestly, I don’t even mind. It’s comfortable in a way that feels… right. Raziel catches me smiling, and his mouth softens, that tiny curve that makes my heart flutter.

“I have to return to the kingdom,” he says quietly, setting his cup down. His voice always sounds like dusk, warm, a little dangerous, a little sad. “There are matters that need my attention. The court grows restless without their king.”

“I know.” I reach across the table, brushing my fingers against his. “It’s okay. You’ve got a whole realm to run.”

He nods once, his thumb brushing mine. “I’ll return after your classes. We’ll walk the shadow gardens together tonight.”

My chest squeezes. “Promise?”

He leans closer, kisses my forehead, and murmurs, “Always, *hummingbird.*”

Of course, that’s when the knock comes at the door, quick, bright, and familiar. Before I can even get up, the door *flies* open.

“Tessa,” I sigh, already laughing.

She bursts in like a confetti cannon, all sunshine and noise, dragging poor Rynor behind her. Her curls bounce as she waves one hand dramatically. “Oh my *gods,* how wonderful was the festival!”

Her words trip over each other in excitement, but then Rynor drops straight to his knees beside her, head bowed so fast I think he might hit the floor.

Tessa blinks, startled, and then follows his gaze toward the massive shadow-draped figure at my table.

“Oh.” She straightens slowly, eyes flicking between Rhaziel and her very reverent mate. “I didn’t know you had a demon too. I haven’t met this one!”

Rynor’s voice is a strangled whisper. “That would be our king, my love.”

Tessa’s eyes widen. “Oh.” There's a beat. “*Oh.*”

Then she spins toward me with that wicked grin I know too well. “So you got yourself a shadow-demon daddy, huh?”

Kael nearly chokes on his juice. Evander covers his mouth to hide a smile. I burst out laughing, heat creeping up my cheeks. Even Raziel’s composure cracks; a low chuckle rumbles from him, and his shadows curl tighter, even his tail that flicks in my lap seems amused. Rynor, however, still on his knees, looks like he wants the floor to open and swallow him whole.

I wipe tears of laughter from my eyes and gesture between everyone. “Rhaziel, this is my best friend Tessa—she’s a *lot,* and that’s her fated mate, Rynor.”

Rhaziel’s gaze shifts to Rynor, sharp but not unkind. “The girl from your photographs,” he says softly, recognition flickering in his crimson eyes.

I nod, smiling. “Yep. The one who sends me thirty messages a day about shoes and curses in three languages.”

Rynor bows lower. “My king,” he says, voice low and reverent.

Raziel inclines his head. “Rise, soldier. You honour your mate well.”

Rynor hesitates until I add, grinning, “It’s okay, you can stand up. Shadow-demon daddy will be your friend because he’s my mate.”

Kael actually snorts. Evander groans, “Please stop saying that out loud,” but there’s laughter hiding behind the words.

Rhaziel only shakes his head, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “You do choose interesting company, *hummingbird.*”

“I know,” I say, still giggling. “But they make life fun.”

Rhaziel finishes his coffee, the shadows at his shoulders shifting lazily like they know it’s almost time. He glances around the table once more—Kael lounging with his arms crossed, Evander calmly stacking dishes, Tessa still beaming, Rhino trying to blend into the wallpaper—and then he leans close to me. The heat of him presses against my side, dark magic whispering across my skin like silk.

He lowers his voice so only I can hear, that rough velvet tone wrapping around each word. “Your *shadow demon daddy* must go,” he murmurs.

The way he says it turns my face into a furnace. A helpless laugh bubbles up as I swat at his chest.

“Don’t—don’t call yourself that.”

He smiles, utterly unrepentant. “You laughed. I’ll take it as approval.”

My cheeks are on fire. Kael and Evander are pretending not to listen, and Tessa looks like she’s going to combust with curiosity. Rhaziel leans in one last time, brushing his lips against the corner of my mouth.

“I’ll return this afternoon,” he says softly. “Try not to set the mortal realm on fire without me.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He steps back, the darkness drawing around him like a cloak. With a final nod to the others, he melts into the nearest shadow. The room feels emptier instantly, the light dimmer for his absence.

Then Tessa lets out a long, dramatic whistle and fans her face. “Okay, *wow.* That was hot.”

Kael groans, tipping his head back. “I’m surrounded by lunatics.”

Evander just smiles into his mug. “You’re only realising that now?”

Tessa hops onto the edge of the table, kicking her feet. “Well, anyway, that little show was fun, but classes start soon, and you and I—” she points a finger at me, “—have a *lot* of gossip to catch up on.”

“Oh gods,” I sigh, but she’s already in full motion.

“Two new marks, Allison! Two! You can’t just hide those under a shirt and expect me not to notice. I need details, times, locations and everything.”

Kael chokes on his drink. Evander covers a laugh with a cough.

“And,” Tessa continues, pretending not to notice them, “I want to talk about *my* trophy too.”

With a flourish, she tilts her head, brushing her hair aside to show off the vivid gold-tinged mark on the curve of her neck.

“Rynor did that?” I ask, smiling despite myself.

She grins proudly. “Yup. My very own permanent brand of true love and mild territorial possession. Isn’t it pretty?”

Rynor mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like an apology to the universe, and Kael starts laughing.

Tessa just winks. “Come on, bestie. Pack your books, and let’s go make all the unmated jealous. You can tell me all about your *shadow-daddy situation* on the way to class.”

I groan, but there’s no hiding the smile tugging at my mouth. “Tessa, I swear—”

“Uh-huh,” she sing-songs, looping her arm through mine. “I’m not hearing any denial.”

And just like that, the morning turns bright again, chaotic, ridiculous, perfectly ours, as we head toward another day that’s bound to get us both into trouble.