Rosemary Johns - Rebel Academy - Curse

When Willoughby laid out silk napkins like we were at a dinner party for royalty, I snorted.

Magenta nodded, on the other hand, approvingly. "At last, someone who understands proper picnic etiquette. I was afraid that such things had been forgotten in this age to be replaced by a bizarre casualness of attire."

She stared at Bask and me pointedly.

I glanced down at my bare chest. "What?"

Bask ran his hand down his own chest, tweaking his nipple. " Whoops , did I mix up black tie with nudist on the invitation again?"

Willoughby laughed, low and musical. When he held out a plate of beef sandwiches, I snatched one and devoured its salty goodness.

Wow, that was good .

Was there a hint of horseradish in that or...? Frigg's tits, my stomach was easily won over.

I licked away the last crumbs. "This is food from the Princes' special larder, right? The one that's warded and locked with the dickish message KEEP OUT, PRINCES ONLY. THAT MEANS YOU, IMMORTALS."

Willoughby placed down the plate. "The academy's patron, Titus, sends it magically from the fae Court. But before you believe that we're treated every day, the food's a privilege that must be earned and losing it is one of the most common punishments. Also, effective. I saved up my Privilege Points because…" He waved at the feast in front of us, and the tips of his ears reddened, which was cute. "...I wished to share this with you."

Bask's eyes flared and all of a sudden, he was the predator.

He crawled with a seductive swing of his hips across the blanket to Willoughby, before stroking his gloved hand down Willoughby’s cheek and murmuring against his lips, "I accept your tribute, and the answer is yes ."

Willoughby's eyes widened, and the breath caught in his throat. Then his arms were clasped around Bask's waist, hauling him onto his lap: claiming him. Bask snuggled closer to him.

Was that some kind of unofficial bonding?

My hands clenched on my lap. "You don't have to buy us."

" Slippy ," Bask gasped.

I wished that I could take it back as soon as I saw the desperate hurt in Willoughby's eyes.

"Isn't this what friends do?" Willoughby said, quietly. "If I've mistaken my bounds...if I'm not your f-friend..."

I hated how he stumbled, forcing himself to get out the words. Guilt squirmed in my guts.

"You are," Magenta insisted.

"Hey, I never had a friend before Rebel Academy." Why was this so hard to explain? It looked like sharing was a lesson that I still needed to learn because it'd been as easy as breathing between us Immortals, but the Princes deserved me to give them an equal chance. "As the son of Loki, I've had more lovers than Fox has told lies, but no one who I loved , apart from dad. I'm new at all this caring. So, I'm sorry, right? Let's be pals."

Willoughby nodded, picking at a fraying thread on the sheet, unraveling it. "My brother adored picnics when he was young. I only ever took him with me so that we could adventure into the woods. I'd sneak him away from his tutors in the summer. Darby struggled with their strictness and at least I could distract him for awhile..." Was this the same younger brother who tortured him with his cursed silk uniform? Willoughby sounded like he loved him in the same way that I did my brothers, but Darby hurt him in return. What an asshole . "I merely wished to distract you in the same way because I can hardly bear that I've been forbidden to heal Midnight's wings until after the tournament, just as I'm certain that you can't bear..."

Fox.

The unsaid word hung between us, ghostly.

"So, distraction." Willoughby lifted out a porcelain tea cup that was decorated with a black stallion, which already brimmed with hot tea. I wanted one of these magic picnic baskets. The tea’s strong scent of fresh earthiness was like grasses on a mountainside. "My special blend."

Magenta gave another of her orgasmic sighs, before taking the cup like it was Willoughby's heart. I studied her lips caressing the cup, before she sipped, and then the long line of her throat as she swallowed.

Delicious.

Willoughby's eyes were glassy, and his pupils were dilated. He watched Magenta like if she rejected his tea, he'd be crushed.

"Perfect," Magenta breathed. "Thank you. You've no idea how much I've been dying for a truly decent cup of tea."

Willoughby lit up like she'd told him that he was her ideal match. Wait, was that like Victorian speak for that?

She was also my perfect match.

When she took her next sip, I captured her mouth with mine. She gasped in surprise, and the tea passed between our mouths. I forced myself not to close my eyes, despite the shocking intimacy, as I swallowed. Then I chased the taste of the tea with my tongue, and she did the same, warring for dominance.

When I pulled back, she looked dazed.

"You've done enough dying." I traced over the beautiful horse on the cup. "So, you have a thing for ponies?"

Willoughby's hair tinged with ice, and his eyes became frosty. "Stallions." I grimaced. No kink shaming, but that wasn't my thing. "I birthed and raised two stallions. Thunder and Lightning were brave and loyal."

I winced at the were . "Sorry for being a dick. I had a wolf cub; her parents were murdered by witches." Why had I told him that? I never told anyone about my past. "But she wasn't a pet because she deserved to be free."

Willoughby nodded, and the ice melted from his hair; Bask shivered as it dripped onto his shoulders. "I've come to the same understanding."

I bit my lip. I didn't trust Willoughby like Magenta, but he was part of this. He risked punishment every moment that he chose Immortals over Princes. Didn't he deserve to at least know about the Membership?

I pushed myself up, swaggering to the wall at the back of the bedroom. "The Membership," I announced to trigger the magical spell.

Willoughby straightened, and Bask wriggled around in his arms, until he was straddling him. He ground down, rubbing his dick against Willoughby’s, who groaned.

Then Bask pressed their foreheads together. "If you desire it, I can heal Midnight. You offer us your tribute, but we can offer you help as well. I love those who I claim, and I'm claiming you . You're mine now."

Willoughby's longing gaze flicked to Magenta's.

Her smile was tender. "I’ve already claimed you. I believe that our rude god is attempting to show you that he’s claiming you too…in his own way.”

Bask snickered.

Yeah, she had a point.

The wall opened, and a board that curled with the RAemblem and neon pink writing slotted out:

RANDOMS

Confess - Whipping Boy

Curse - Whipping Boy

IMMORTALS

Crow - Prefect

Crave

Crush

Sleipnir

PRINCES

Crown – Prefect

"Surely this is a mistake?" Willoughby muttered. "You're teasing the stupid elf?"

Magenta placed down her tea (with serious reluctance), before leaning forward to grip Willoughby by the chin. Then she kissed him with a passion that caught him off guard. Bask wrapped his legs around him, holding him still for Magenta's wicked kiss.

When she drew back, they were both panting.

"Did that feel like a mistake or teasing?” She demanded.

Willoughby glanced down at his hard dick, which must be painful trapped in his uniform. "Possibly teasing ..." He ran his finger through a cake's cream filling, before smoothing it along Magenta's jaw. She shivered, as he licked it off with serious dedication.