I exhale slowly, unsettled by how every fucking time our eyes meet I feel like I’m falling apart. Or is it the complete opposite? That the pieces of me are trying to snap back together when he’s around? Whatever this thing is between us, it's getting stronger, harder to ignore.

"Quite the pair of admirers you've collected," Beck says, appearing at my side with a grin. "The legacy prince and the scarred warrior. If this were a bard's tale, there'd be a duel by sunset."

"Don't be ridiculous," I mutter, shoving him lightly. "Bastian was just asking about classwork. And I'm pretty sure he's not a prince."

"Right. And I'm secretly tethered to a dragon instead of a bear." Beck winks, falling into step beside me as we leave the classroom. "Come on, admit it. The two hottest guys at Confluence can't keep their eyes off you. And you know there are plenty of other guys who would love to get into your bed, but they're too terrified of those guys to make a move."

"You're delusional."

"Am I? Serena looks ready to flay you alive every time Raith so much as glances your way."

The mention of Serena, as always, sends a spike of annoyance and rage through me. “If she wants Raith, she has an odd way of showing it. Remember what she tried during Confluence Day?”

“Some women would rather kill a man than see him shared with another. Just ask Brunhild.”

“Who?”

Beck grins. “This girl I met. She’s… something,” he says with a wistful smile. “Speaking of, I’m going to pay her a visit before elemental combat. Wish me luck.”

Beck leaves me at the east wing entrance, heading away with a spring in his step as he dodges a pair of fourth-year earths with hard eyes and absolutely massive muscles. I watch him go, noting how he moves differently now—a new confidence in his stride, strength in the set of his shoulders.

We're all changing, becoming something more than what we were.

“You spend half your day thinking of the fire-touched, angry human,” Typhon rumbles. “You have much to learn. Sexual penetration will not improve your odds of survival. Training will.”

I smile. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Typhon. And it’s training with him I’m thinking about. I learn more sparring with Raith than I do in a week of Weapon’s Class."

"I am not jealous of a human," he sniffs indignantly. "I simply question the wisdom of spending time alone with one who radiates such dangerous heat."

"The heat's not so bad," I reply, feeling my cheeks warm at the admission.