Chapter 27: Ice Age
Nero burst through the door, his eyes immediately locking onto the scene before him—Merek’s fingers grazing Felicity’s bareback. For a heartbeat, everything froze. Then his fury ignited.
His eyes flared red, flames erupting around his clenched fist as he dashed forward in a blur. His burning knuckles hovered just inches from Merek’s face.
"How dare you take advantage of her?!" he roared, the tendons in his neck bulging as his handsome features twisted into unrecognizable rage.
Gasps followed. Carla and the other students, alarmed by his shout, crowded at the entrance. But Tevin was quicker. He stepped forward and shut the door, his expression dark and unreadable.
Then came Felicity’s voice. Calm. Controlled. But beneath that stillness was a bitter cold that swept through the room.
"...What are you doing?"
Nero stiffened. His eyes flicked to the smear of black balm in Merek’s hand—then to the gashes across Felicity’s back. Realization washed over him as he noticed two of the four wounds had already been treated.
He turned away, jaw clenched tight, his anger now tangled with confusion and something deeper—hurt.
"Why would you let a stranger touch you like that?" he demanded, voice cracking. "Can’t you see he’s taking advantage of you?"
His finger stabbed the air toward Merek, his eyes never leaving Felicity’s.
Merek raised a brow, unmoved. The sheer absurdity of Nero’s accusation—especially after he’d gifted him a rare and powerful item just hours ago—would’ve been laughable if not for how serious the young man looked.