A Court of Rising Starlight

Chapter IV

I did everything I possibly could to avoid my friends for a few days. The next Monday came around and Logan put an end to my isolation. I was going out to my car for my free period when he followed me out.

"Acacia, you need to stop acting like this and just forgive us. Please?"

"No," I say.

"You sound like a child."

"I am the one who sounds childish? Really? Last I checked, Logan, I wasn't the one keeping secrets."

"It's for your protection."

"For my protection? Is it for my protection, that my mate told my friends about the bond before me and has been acting like a a total asshole to keep my side from surfacing? Is it for my protection, that all I know about this group is that you and Megan are mates? Is it for my protection, that I now know none of you even have a sliver of trust in me?"

He leans against the driver side door, obviously debating saying something. "Why are you in on this?" I continue. "You were supposed to be the Autumn High Lord. If the sorry excuse I got about my royal position putting me in danger, then why do you have even a clue as to what is going on."

He sighs. "Look, it doesn't wound my pride in any way to admit that you have far more power than I do. You are the daughter we of a High Lord and a High Lady. The only one to exist and a woman that could control all seven court abilities with barely a thought. You're mother snuck into the Summer Court and tricked Tarquin's wards into thinking it was him opening them. Literally, you have power no one has ever even imagined, all right in your genetics.

"I can play with fire, Acacia. Nothing more than that. If Prythian existed, I would be able to run the Autumn Court as my family has for millennia. But you... People feared your court for a long time. Your father and grandfather were known for their tyranny for centuries. Up until the war against Hybern everyone thought your father was a heartless bastard because of his power and how he flaunted it in the Court of Nightmares.

"We have been keeping secrets since freshman year specifically because people fear you. Your name is enough to set people on a mission to kill you. If someone threatening found out you were alive it could mean a whole lot of trouble. We are just trying to keep you safe. Please, try to accept the secrets we have to still keep because of that."

I huff, closing my eyes for a moment. "Exactly what kind of protection are you providing?"

"I can't tell you. All I can say is that I am not doing the brunt of it. Is that what had you so upset at lunch and whatnot? You figured out we knew you were mates with Derek?"

"Yes," I lie smoothly. "It's nothing other than that."

-----

Heading home was easy enough. Megan and Logan were being their shamelessly romantic selves and Hawking was steering clear of me on his own. I can only assume Meg told him I knew about what he had been hiding. Today was not the day I would face him about it.

I drive home, pulling my navy soft top convertible into the two car garage. My adoptive sister Natalie comes running out of the house. She was six and had just started grade school this year. I scoop her up as she runs towards me, my backpack already back on my shoulders. She was quite small for her age.

"Hey, Nat-nat. What's up, squirt? You know Mommy and Daddy don't like you in the garage alone. You could get hurt."

"I'm not alone. I'm with you."

I smirk. "Now you are, smart a-alec," I correct myself quickly. No bad language in front of Natalie. "Let's get inside and I can give you a snack before I start my homework."

I walk into the kitchen to find my adoptive mother at the table with a sketch pad. She was a clothing designer and was working on the last few pieces for the season collection. I set my bag at the bottom of the stairs and get out a piece of bread, the peanut butter, and jelly to prepare a half sandwich. I cut it in two squares and put the plate on the table.

"I don't like the-"

"Eat the crust," I say, "if you want the cookies I am going to bake after dinner."

"Ac-a-cia," she whines, drawing out my name.

"Listen to your sister."

"Yes, Mommy."

I head upstairs to start on my English essay. I huff looking over my outline from in class. While I enjoyed reading plays, Shakespeare's Macbeth was never one of my favorites. I was not looking forward to writing this essay, even if the main structure was done.

An hour later my phone dings with a text.

Tick tock, my dear. I'll see you soon.

It was the unknown number again. I suck in a breath, curious as to who was sending the messages and how they knew who I really was. I bite my lip.

How did you get my number?

It hardly matters. What does matter is that your little friend can't play protector forever. If he causes too much trouble I might have to take him out first. Remember that, will you?

I flip off my computer, hugging my knees to my chest. I would finish the essay tomorrow. I needed to take a drive. It was too light out for me to fly without someone seeing me. I turn the ignition and pull out of the front drive. I didn't realize who I had parked a few spaces from until a deep laugh was sending shivers down my spine.

I turn and the smirk on his face falls. "Acacia."

I roll my eyes. "What? I find out and you suddenly care to call me something other than Andrews?" I try to walk past him but he grips my arm, holding me in place. The two guys behind him took that as a cue to leave us alone. Getting in the car beside Derek's, they drive away. "Let go of me."

He pushes me back against my car, releasing my arm. I gasp. This bond was suddenly overpowering. I shut my eyes, trying to fight the pull. He leans in and his scent takes over every sense of security I had. I was afraid. Not of him, but losing control, making things even more awkward.

He grips my hips lightly, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck. "Why didn't you just reject me? That would be better than this."

He meets my eyes. You would have thought I had slapped him with the reaction my comment earned. "Acacia, listen. I had good reason for this."

"And what's that?" He swallows, now avoiding my gaze. "Let me guess. It's a secret for my safety, right? All I wanted was what I saw in the bonds of my court members. My parents, Az and Mor, heck, even Cass and Nesta! But what the hell kind of a mate are you? All I can see is a bastard who finds my pain amusing."

Forgetting the alone time I had planned by going to the mall, I shove him away and again drive away to try to forget everything that had been revealed to me.