The Icarus To Your Certainty

chapter eight

Because of the, well, heated conversation between Elaine and Smith at the end of one of the fights, a strong rumour spread around Hogwarts that Elaine would join her brother as one of the fighters and that she would be a Trinity to match against her brother and girlfriend. Apparently, even though they were lucky that there weren't many people around when she punched Smith, it wasn't enough to prevent the gossip from running rampant.

However, the fight was sufficient to keep her family away. It had only been a few days, but there were no constant calls or surprise visits. Nothing at all, except a message from Margret informing her that, despite being upset, Smith would not pursue legal action against her or Vega. This was code for saying that Smith was still interested in her inheritance and also didn't want to cross the influential Ashford name. Either way, it had worked.

She also knew her cousins would await the perfect opportunity to bother her again. Her family were like vultures, waiting for a weak moment to attack. They wanted to deceive her and certainly desired much more than a share of the inheritance. They were probably plotting to take everything from her, so he needed to maintain the pretence that Vega was with her.

But for now, everything was fine.

Which meant that nothing was really fine. Her mind was constantly occupied by the memory of Vegas' lips on her's, Vegas'' large hands on her waist, and the heat of Vegas'' body against her.

It was torture whenever, in public, Vega kissed her on the corner of her lips or on the mouth—when Aaron wasn't present—to keep up their act and make their relationship believable.

She wished she could give in to these moments, but they were nothing more than an act, a pretence. Vega was just helping her and was probably already counting the hours until she got back with Daisy or something.

Even so, Elaine still wanted to give in to her touch, but she couldn't.

And it was killing her, because, well, Vega Ashford was really fucking hot.

"Are you objectifying Ashford now?" Merida's voice sounded next to her.

"You look ridiculous," Elaine replied, not even bothering to turn around. But she had already noticed the trail of hickeys Evan had left on Merida's pale neck. "Are you 17?"

"You should have seen the one I left on his arse," Merida replied, clearly aware of what Elaine meant. "A masterpiece. Like a work of art."

"What are you on about?" Evan threw his books onto the table and settled onto Merida's lap, despite the many available chairs.

"Your arse."

"Brilliant topic, babe," Evan grinned. He nicked a chip from his girlfriend's - but exclusively so - plate and winked at Elaine.

"Elaine was commenting on our sexual habits," Merida began.

"I was not."

"- she's jealous because Ashford isn't giving her what she wants-"

"She gives me plenty."

"You just have this look on your face," Merida said. Elaine glared at her irritably. "This look of someone who desperately wants to be fucked ."

"Please choke on Evan's cock and die," Elaine said seriously, while Evan laughed loudly and Merida grinned.

"I'd love to."

"You're such a cunt" Elaine muttered.

"We're in a splendid mood from what I can see," Eloise remarked, settling herself at the round table with her tray.

"That's just Elaines' usual disposition, I reckon," Teddy chimed in, joining them as well.

"Why would I be cheerful in a world where Merida exists?" Elaine melodramatically exclaimed, feeling that living with her brother was making her slightly theatrical.