Page 102 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

I look up. “What about the other students?”

“We’ve given them antidotes,” my father says. “Everyone is fine. There were no fatalities and only minor injuries. Don’t worry.”

I only feel a fraction of relief. “Hell…”

“This was more than a physical test,” my father says. “It was a test of loyalty, of how quickly you would abandon or betray your allies. You two are the only ones who passed.”

I don’t know what to say. My eyes locked onto where Jun is writhing in pain. How was I supposed to abandon him? After a few moments, my father moves to the other side of the room.

He seems genuinely concerned with keeping the other students safe, but that means there’s more to worry about. The professors dole out antidotes, and the students rest in safety. He’s likely not killing them through this trial…

How is he doing it and why? There has to be a reason.

Before long, Jun’s injury heals itself. I don’t move until his veins clear and the wound closes. It’s impressive how quickly he heals. It’s almost as if he didn’t need help to close his wound when we made the witch weapon together, when I had the first taste of his blood.

The taste that started it all.

As the professors gather at the front, I rise, extending a hand to Jun. “Come on. Can’t show weakness in front of the others.”

He clasps my hand, and I drag him to his feet.

Jun is a couple of inches taller than me, but he leans into me for support, and I let him, wrapping an arm around his waist.

“Everyone in this room has made it to the final round,” Professor Stark says. “Return to your dormitory. We will be in contact with information on the third and final trial. Rest. Heal.”

Her words fade into static.

Does Jun… does Jun know what I know? Can he feel me too?

I returnto Jun’s dormitory with him. Not only is it closer to the gymnasium, but I won’t leave him alone after being poisoned, no matter how much he insists otherwise.

“I’m fine,” he grumbles. “Tobey is probably worried about you. Stop babying me.”

His dormitory building is silent. It’s already the smallest dormitory on campus, but it’s two in the morning, and no one is around to see us in this state.

We’re both a mess, covered in black sludge and sweat. Our clothes smell like hell—literally. Smoke, brimstone, and the scent of death waft from us. I would never let someone see me in this state, but Jun has become an exception.

“Let me in,” I say, nodding at his door.

“I’ll give you a key. You can let yourself in next time.”

A key? What doesthatmean? Surely, we aren’t at the point in our friendship—or whatever we are—where he’s giving me the key to his abode…

For the night, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care about the confusing state of our relationship or what we may or may not become. It doesn’t matter that he’s my mate. He’s going to live, and that’s all I care about.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

Jun moves toward his bed.

I wrinkle my nose, grabbing the back of his shirt before he can collapse. “Absolutely not. You need a shower first.”

He groans. “Baby. I’m so fucking tired.”

His voice is an exhausted rumble, and I feel it between my thighs.

Baby? He must be out of his mind. Princess, I’m used to. It’s taunting, though it’s become softer as of late. But to hear him call me baby in such a sweet tone…

Warmth fills my cold, dead heart.