Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(32)
He quirks an eyebrow in response.
“Would you like me to say it again?” His voice is perfectly casual, as if he’s merely discussing the weather and not asking me to suck him off.
My face goes up in flames because I’m suddenly imagining doing just that and I’m mortified when my gaze drops down to the package bulging in his black boxer shorts. Holy shit, is it meant to look that big?
Stupid hormones. Before I can embarrass myself, I turn on my heel without another word, and stalk off down the hall, all too aware of those heated blue eyes glued to my ass as I take each step.
I sit in elements class later that morning feeling anxious. Magnus had warned me that I’d have to take this class, but I’d forgotten about it until now, too caught up in my ongoing feud with Raphael St. Tristan and the other Dynasty heirs.
“I don’t think they’ll call you up on the first day,” Dani whispers to me as we sit up on the bleachers with the rest of the class. Professor Roman is standing on the grassy field below, waiting for the last stragglers to take their seats.
Unlike the other classes, everyone in the senior year seems to be in this one class. From where we’re sitting, I can see Raph sitting on the first row with Baron and Lance to his left. I see Layla’s perfectly straight golden blonde head of hair to his right, with Ivy and Keller next to her. One perfectly manicured hand curls around his shoulder and I feel something twisting in my traitorous gut. He shakes her off after a second and I can see her flash him a hurt look.
“Looks like they’re on the outs again,” Dani comments, following my gaze.
I roll my eyes, because the last thing I need is to hear a running commentary on Raph and Layla’s ‘epic love story.’
“Makes sense—I mean I did see him walk out of his bedroom this morning with two naked girls in his bed. The guy is a pig.”
“Holy shit. Was that awkward? What did he say?” Dani asks.
Only because I think it’ll shock her even more, I say, “He asked me to suck his dick.”
Dani’s eyes go as wide as saucers, and she chokes on her next breath.
Thankfully, Professor Roman starts speaking then.
“Welcome to the first elements class of your senior year.
“We’ll start off today with the usual—opening duel between two Dynasty heirs.
“Raph and Baron, you’re up.”
I watch as Raph gets up from the front row, followed by Baron. They make their way to the center of the large field, shaking hands formally in what looks like part of the duel etiquette. But I see the grin that the two exchange. They clearly enjoy this and something tells me that these two are probably the best at it.
I have no idea what ‘it’ is until the duel starts. I expect Raph to make the first move. But he hangs back, waiting with the patience of a predator.
The bleachers are silent in anticipation, until Baron unleashes what looks like a water tornado. I hear my gasp of surprise because of course, I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. People on Earth didn’t just summon water tornados. It’s a reminder of exactly where I am and who I’m surrounded by.
Raph easily intercepts the cyclone of water with a burst of pure fire. You’d expect the water to put out the fire but in this case, it’s the other way around. The heat of the flames seems to vaporize the water until there’s nothing left but mist. I don’t know how the hell it happens, but I have a feeling it’s because of what Dani told me the other day—Raph is the most powerful Seraph that Eden has seen in generations. As I watch the duel, riveted, I can see that it has to be true.
The crowd roars with excitement as the two fighters exchange water for fire, thunder for wind, lightning for storm. I remember then what Magnus told me that day in the hall with the murals. The Dynasties each have their set of elements that they’re closest to—Baron, being an Aldebran, is clearly all about sea, storm and wind, whereas Raph, being St. Tristan and also a sovereign heir, could pretty much use any element. But it’s clear that fire and light are his forte.
Baron is good—there’s no doubt in my mind that he can wipe the floor with any of the other students here. But Raph is just better. Faster, sharper, tactically masterful and far, far more powerful.
The duel ends with a blinding flash of white light which consumes the entire field. For a split second, I’m totally blinded and can see nothing but white.
When the light clears, Professor Roman declares Raph the winner and the bleachers erupt with cheers. I feel like I should be clapping, too, but I remind myself that Raphael St. Tristan is an asshole whose sole purpose is to make my life a living hell. So, I keep my hands firmly at my sides.
Raph’s gaze travels up to the top row and those vivid blue eyes lock onto mine as he walks back towards the bleachers. He flashes me that frighteningly beautiful smile. A taunt. I know then that the inferno he unleashed in class that first day was barely a flash compared to what this merciless asshole is capable of and he was using this duel to demonstrate the full extent of his power to me. To let me know exactly what and who I’m messing with.
My stomach twists painfully. Not just because I realize that this feud with Raph will clearly end in defeat, but also because I realize he was right—I can’t do anything remotely close to what he and Baron just did on that field. I’m no Dynasty heir. Hell, I’m not even a full Seraph. I’m a nothing and no one, just like I always have been and I sure as hell don’t belong here.