Ryder Read online

  From the looks of it, Elias had just woken up and was now off to breakfast. He usually checked to make sure I wasn't sleeping in the library as if it had become some type of routine.

  I noticed Mako's blushed cheeks, causing me to smirk.

  “Yup, we’ll be there,” I replied.

  “I should get a sign now that says no kissing in the library...” Elias mumbled, his voice trailing off while he made his way down the hall.

  "There should be a sign that says don't interrupt me," I huffed though our bond.

  "You'll wake the others with that arousal of yours. Be grateful," Elias replied.

  "I'll get payback. Just you wait," I vowed, pulling out of our bond.

  Mako put her head against my chest. Feeling her embarrassment, I chuckled, thinking how cute she was acting.

  I didn't want to be dishonest, knowing exactly when Elias had been at the doorway. I thought he'd move along, but again he’d decided to rain on my parade.

  “He was there for a while actually,” I admitted.

  Her head snapped back as her eyes grew wide. “How long?” she questioned.

  My grin grew— her feelings giving off a dreadful emotion. “When I asked if I could kiss you,” I confessed.

  “RYDER!” she shrieked, her mouth wide in absolute shock.

  I shrugged in response, not caring that Elias had seen me kissing her. I had to admit I would have liked some alone time to enjoy my first kiss, but I didn't mind showing off a little.

  “He would have known regardless. He’s the only one awake in the house. With our knight bond, we can sense each other’s feelings. It’s not strong like our communication capabilities, but he would have probably added one and one together,” I explained.

  I might as well share our situation with her. It would be good for her to know. She stared at me with her mouth hung open.

  "My Starlight...wait does that mean if we would have gone further and actually had sex..." she trailed off.

  I knew she was speaking her thoughts out loud, but I decided to answer. “Yes. If any of us have sex and the remainder of us are close in proximity, we would know and feel a bit of what they feel,” I confessed.

  She blinked, clearly trying to find some type of excuse or argument for what I'd just told her but I didn't allow it— my lips pressed against hers.

  She kissed me back— enjoying the quick kiss before I released her lips.

  "You get distracted easily,” I pointed out, laughing.

  She groaned, removing her arms and crossed them over her chest. “I do not...and it’s your bloody fault. Demons and their ulterior motives,” she mumbled.

  I shook my head, wrapping my arms under her arms and legs, lifting her up. She shrieked, her arms immediately wrapping around my neck.

  “C’mon, Princess. Breakfast is served,” I announced.

  After a kiss like that, she deserved to be carried like the Princess she was and the Queen of my heart.

  "Meditation?" Makoto asked.

  "It's when you sit and center your mind. You can do different techniques like taking deep breaths and focusing on your inhales and exhales to help calm you. Within time, you learn how to reach a stage of peace and tranquility within your mind."

  I tightened my hand on hers, sliding open the door to the room I always mediated in. I didn't think it was really an office designated for me. It was just a room the Headmaster of Knightwood said I could claim to do whatever I or my team needed.

  Since we didn't like doing anything on campus that would put our mission in jeopardy, I ended up turning it into a meditation room.

  I gestured Makoto to enter first, following her and closing the door behind me.

  "Do you meditate often?" she asked.

  "I try to twice a day. In the morning like now and at night before I go to bed. I find it helps with my anxiety," I admitted.

  She turned to face me, her eyes following my right hand. "Is that why your hand trembles sometimes?" she asked.

  I raised my eyebrow, a tad surprised at her close observation. "Yes. When did you notice?" I asked.

  "A couple of times. Your right hand trembles versus Marcus whose left-hand trembles. Daniel pulls off his glasses when he's tired and Elias gets irritated when he's exhausted. EliaseAnne gets really quiet at times, especially when we pass by the clinic at school or when she sees a group of guys or girls interacting with one another," she explained, making her way to sit on the cushioned mat I had in the corner of the room.

  I dimmed the lights, heading to sit opposite of her. We were both in Knightwood uniforms. I loosened the black tie with gold stripes as I took off my blazer, placing it on one of the chairs in the other half of the room.

  I glanced at Makoto who removed her blazer and tie, pulling out her hair tie and ruffling the loose bundle of curls.

  Daniel had slept right through the morning which included breakfast, so he didn't have time to do his usual morning 'Let's do Makoto's Hair' session.

  I knew he enjoyed playing with her hair and creating different hairstyles for her. I think it reminded him of his little sister. It was said that Daniel's real mom had been a hairstylist for many royals across the realms. I figured both Daniel and his brother, Michael, knew about such history and I could see they had inherited many of her talents.

  I peered down her neck, noticing the fading hickey I'd given her the other day. We'd been more intimate lately, having little kissing sessions in the classrooms in between classes.

  I enjoyed every second of alone time with her. I just hoped today we'd try not to get too caught up in our lust for one another.

  I didn't want to admit it, but I was struggling with just kissing her. I wanted to do more— to fondle her breasts and suck her hard nipples, or feel her wetness between my fingers.

  My eyes lowered to her pink skirt with black stripes, noticing her bare legs that were clear of her markings.

  She'd explained to me that she hid her markings for the sake of avoiding unnecessary attention. She already had enough thanks to being the only Pink rank in all of Knightwood. She didn't need everyone staring at her markings.

  Markings appeared on our skin for two main reasons— either at birth, commonly termed as birth markings, or obtained throughout a shifter's lifespan. It was common knowledge that if you obtained a marking during your teen and adult cycles, it meant you'd worked your ass off for them and it was a reward from the gods to prove your hard work had paid off.

  Makoto had markings all over her legs, reaching her thighs. She also had them along her rib cage and arms. She was slowly getting used to not hiding them when we were at home and had stopped hiding them when she slept in my room during the week.

  She was growing more comfortable with the rest of us— her sleepwalking self beginning to sneak into the others’ rooms during the middle of the night. None of them minded— I bet they enjoyed having her body pressed against them when they woke up from slumber.

  Regardless, I knew whatever had happened to her at the facility must have been a difficult trial to face, in order for her markings to be as detailed and take up more than half of her entire body.

  I returned my attention back to her face— noticing her stare at the picture frame on the desk a few inches away from her.

  "You’re very perceptive," I pointed out, having gotten too lost in appreciating her body to finish the conversation.

  "When you're in a changing environment, you have to be. At the facility, every day can be different and every shifter could be the one to kill you. If you don't analyze their weaknesses early on, you'll regret it later when you're facing them in the arena. The possibility was slim...since shifters died every day. But, it never hurt to take in your surroundings and people's habits. I guess I should work on not doing that," she mumbled, frowning. She turned back to face me. "Sorry. I dimmed down the conversation, didn't I?" she asked with a confused face.

  I gave her a weak smile. "You didn't dim anything, and stop apologizing. I like to know more a
bout you and you don't need to feel bad for explaining what you've experienced. I think it's amazing and intriguing to listen to. You’re also one of the few to notice that little aspect about Marcus and I. The doctors always mix it up and even Karen struggles from time to time."

  She returned my smile, sitting up as she crossed her legs. "Do you know why your hand trembles?" she asked.

  "It's something to do with my anxiety, I guess? It's always been that way since I was little. It doesn’t hurt or anything. Basically, just tells everyone else who knows about it that I'm anxious about something," I admitted.

  She nodded in understanding. "Thank you for sharing," she whispered.

  "I'll answer anything. Don't hesitate to ask," I replied.

  We shared a moment— love and a sense of relief hit my senses.

  "Uh, I guess let's meditate?" she suggested.

  "Sure. Have you done it before?" I asked.

  "Yes, at the facility..." she trailed off.

  "Continue, Mako," I whispered.

  "In the facility, we had to meditate. I sucked at it though. I ended up talking to my spirits which leads to me talking out loud and...ya, you can guess I didn't do it unless I was forced to," she admitted, fidgeting with her fingers.

  "Why don't we try and see?" I didn't want her giving up on it. Nor did I want her feeling bad about her coping mechanism.

  "But."

  "Even if you talk, I won't mind. Let's try it okay?"

  "Okay," she whispered.

  *Four Minutes Later*

  "Could you guys be less annoying, I'm trying to concentrate."

  "Yes, I am actually trying."

  "Lexi, stop talking about food. You're making me hungry."

  "No...No...still no."

  "Yes. Ryder is cute when he's meditating...shit, we're supposed to have our eyes closed. Stop interrupting."

  I grinned, trying my hardest not to pull out of my quiet zone, but Mako's outer monologue wars were the most entertainment I'd had in a long time.

  I knew she literally thought she was talking in her head, but this was priceless.

  "Oh...Nightmare? What are you doing here? Which vent did you come from?"

  "Mew."

  I peeked open one of my eyes, noticing the furry white bundle sitting in between us, her tails wagging back and forth as they glowed a soft pink.

  "So much for meditation," Stryker pointed out.

  I could feel his amusement as we stared at Makoto who had a large grin on her face as she gestured Nightmare to sit in the open spot between her legs.

  She'd gotten Nightmare from Matthew, having stated she needed a familiar to participate in the approaching exams.

  When she'd arrived home with Mako, she looked familiar to me. I'd lost a few of my memories after Anya's kidnapping— due to whatever had been a part of the serum injected into me during the struggle had been the culprit.

  Neither Stryker nor I knew why a familiar we hadn't met looked familiar, but I guessed we'd find out soon enough.

  Nighty stared up at Mako who was petting her gently.

  "Ryder's meditating so you have to behave if you're going to stay here," Mako soothed, lifting her hand and creating a small bubble.

  Nightmare reached up, using her paw to burst the little bubble. She jumped in place, her tails glowing from pink to gold— an indication she was either excited or happy.

  Mako kept making mini bubbles, watching Nightmare reach out and pop them.

  I could see how much she cared about her familiar and felt the radiating love and joy while she watched Nighty play quietly. I could also sense a hint of sadness— which caused me to frown.

  "Mako?" I whispered.

  She lifted her eyes to meet mine— a tear rolling down her cheek.

  "Ah...sorry. Did we interrupt?" she asked, quickly wiping the tear from her cheek as she blinked.

  "Mew?" Nighty hopped over her leg to sit to her side, her glowing tails shifting to blue, indicating she was sad.

  "Hey. Mako, what's wrong?" I questioned, my heart aching for her as I felt her sadness heighten with a hint of fear and remorse.

  "I...feel sad? And I don't know why? Like...when I see Nightmare. I feel like we've known each other for cycles yet we just met. But something in my mind tells me she's always been mine and I missed so many opportunities with her. I'm also thinking about when I go to Heila...will my family even like me? Will they hate that I was out of their lives for so long?" she asked, tears beginning to trail down her cheeks.

  "Mako. Come here," I whispered, outstretching my hand.

  She didn't hesitate, placing her hand in mine and allowing me to pull her into my lap. I rubbed her back as she sobbed.

  "Are you feeling anxious about everything?" I asked.

  She nodded against my chest. "I don't want to worry the others...but would it be bad for me to say I'm anxious? I'm scared about a lot of stuff...and I feel I've missed out on so much. I've always thought the world was filled with darkness and the life I lived was simply how it was supposed to be. I didn't know I was living a lie. To think there was such beauty outside those mold filled walls. I just wished I'd fought harder or tried to escape...even after losing Lily," she whispered, sobbing.

  I let her cry it out, wanting her to get out all the pent-up frustration that none of us had noticed. It was as if she was in a bubble and couldn't get out. Now she was free and all her fears and anger were rushing out at once.

  Five minutes passed till she finally calmed. I could sense her guilt, her hands curling up as she tried to wiggle herself out of my embrace. I tightened my hold.

  "Ryder? You can let go."

  "I don't want to," I whispered.

  She relaxed, her head hung low. I wasn't going to tolerate her feeling ashamed for venting her feelings.

  "Makoto. You want to hear what Daniel told me once?" I asked.

  She looked up to face my gaze. "What did he tell you?" she inquired.

  "When I was in a really dark place...he told me that everything happens for a reason. At first, I didn't quite grasp it and that made me angry. I didn't get why I had to be in pain or deal with the trauma I had been dealt. I thought to myself, why would the gods sit up in the sky and watch me go through all these ordeals and frustrations? How could there possibly be a reason to it all? But now that I'm older, I realize it had to happen. Do I still resent the gods? No. Do I wish I hadn't been through the torment and agony? Sometimes. But with all that, Daniel told me that everything happens for a reason and he'd always be there for me. I could cry or even hit him in frustration. As long as I never gave up and strived to move forward."

  She lowered her head in thought.

  "You’re fine...with me coming to you to vent?" she asked.

  "I'll always be here for you to vent," I reassured her.

  "Even if I cry or want to punch you?"

  "Even then. Just don't bruise any vital organs." I grinned and she giggled.

  She wiggled in my lap— shifting her position so her arms could rest on my shoulders.

  "Thank you, Ryder," she whispered.

  "You welcome, Mako," I replied, my eyes lowering to her lips. I watched as she bit the lower one, the slow enticing move was enough to make me want to kiss her.

  I didn't think; my lips pressed against hers and I groaned, relieved I could feel her lips again.

  I let my body take over, impatient to indulge myself in Makoto. I didn't know I could feel this way— to be so lost in someone and not realize what was going on around you.

  Before we both knew it, I had pinned her to the floor— passionately kissing her as my hand slid up her bare leg. That action prompt a moan from Mako whose arms tightened around my neck, pulling me closer to her.

  I wanted more— needed to glide my hand between her thighs and feel her growing arousal with my fingers. My hand made its way up her thigh, sliding beneath her skirt. She grinned against my lips.

  "Is anyone going to interrupt us?" she whispered.

  "No," I whis
pered, beginning to leave kisses along her neck— reaching the spot where her fading hickey was. Can't have that now.

  I sucked on her flesh, biting gently and inducing a moan while she arched her back.

  I hadn't understood why demon and dragon spirits specifically enjoyed marking their lover or lovers, but I felt compelled to leave a mark for everyone to see she was mine. I was fine with the other knights, but nobody else would dare touch her.

  I lifted back up to kiss her— ready to slip my tongue into her mouth when there was a knock on the door.

  We froze, unsure if it was a professor or student. I glanced at the door, focusing on my senses and noticed the strong aura of a particular fairy shifter. Mother fucking—

  "Elias...do not tell me that's you," I huffed in our bond.

  "Matthew needs you for something," Elias mumbled.

  "What?"

  "Mako's files," he replied. From the seriousness of his tone I knew he wasn't joking around. I groaned.

  "Elias?" Mako asked.

  I lowered my mouth to hers, giving her a passionate kiss. We struggled to pull away— Elias opened the door wide enough to poke his head around it.

  "Ryder. Stop kissing Mako and come already," he huffed.

  I rolled my eyes, but tugged lightly on Mako's lip before pulling away.

  It took Mako a moment to calm— both of us trying to catch our breath. I could feel her disappointment at being interrupted, again. I helped her sit up before we rose to our feet.

  "Alright. Let me take Mako to class and I'll be there," I reassured him.

  He nodded, but entered the room— approaching Mako and placing a light kiss on her lips.

  "Sorry, Firefly. Make sure you take a rain check. I'll make sure I don't interrupt." He winked, turning around and walked out the door before she could say anything.

  Her confusion hit my senses, but I could feel her excitement and joy regarding Elias’ spontaneous romantic gesture.

  "Sorry. I didn't expect my plan to be foiled," I admitted.

  She slipped her arms around me as she pressed her body against mine. I swallowed, ignoring how my groin pressed against her.

  "It's okay. But it's frustrating," she mumbled, blushing.