Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast(10)

Conall tasted sweet, like honey. He slid his tongue against hers, devouring her mouth. She didn’t care that they weren’t alone. Her focus was on the handsome man before her, and how she could get more of his affection.

When he pulled away and took her by the hand, Allyn was dizzy. Breathless.

Her chest heaved as she opened her eyes and looked at him. Not even Byron’s kisses left her so disoriented and yearning for more. Butterflies filled her belly as she realized that this could be the beginning of something incredible.

“Listen,” he said, his forehead pressed to hers as he held onto her waist. “I leave tomorrow, but I’d like to spend these last few hours with you. What do you think?”

Allyn’s eyes were fixed on his lips. A night with a handsome prince? More like a night to make him fall and make her a princess. She knew that she was silly to even think such a thing was possible. Still, she was up for the challenge. She didn’t want to be a princess. She just wanted someone to be good to her.

“Sure. I don’t have anything else to do.”

“Good,” he said and kissed her again. He stroked the small of her back and she melted into his chest.

Delicious little sparks.

“How about we get out of here? I have a loft on the top floor.”

Allyn didn’t hesitate, despite her fears that he just wanted to sleep with her. Aude and Khia were right. She needed to get over Byron. Perhaps a night with a prince was just what she really needed.

“Yes.”

As those words fell from her lips she began to wonder who the witch was in this scenario...because she was sure Conall had her under a spell.





CHAPTER 6


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PRINCE CONALL’S LOFT was located on the top of the skyscraper. The entire top floor belonged to him, and when they walked inside, Allyn was taken aback by the amount of room. Inside, a fire burned in the center of the living room in a white, stone fireplace. A loft bedroom with a glass half-wall overlooked the lavish living space with plush sofas, glass tables, and a full kitchen.

“How long are you staying here?” Allyn asked. A family of four could live in that loft, comfortably.

“Just the night. I only come here when I have business in the city. I return to my castle tomorrow.” He walked over to the kitchen and pulled wine from a closet. “Where do you live?”

Allyn shrugged. “I’m in between places right now.”

“What does that mean exactly?” Conall asked as he poured wine into two glasses.

“It means that I am living with friends until I figure out what I’m going to do next.”

He turned on music and Allyn couldn’t help the smile that came to her face as soft, classical music came from the speakers installed on the ceiling.

She stood there in the foyer as Conall took off his suit jacket, revealing a black vest over his navy blue collared shirt.

When Allyn opened her eyes, she glanced over her shoulder. “This makes me miss my violin.”

Memories of playing her violin in the living room of their wood cabin came to her. Her mother used to knit her sweaters before the fire, a smile on her face as her dear girl played her favorite songs. Father would take a break from grading papers for the high school in town to critique her. She used to hate it when he’d find the smallest error in her playing but missed those evenings more than anything.

“Well, aren’t you full of surprises?”

“My father used to play this song a lot when I was growing up,” she said, closing her eyes and humming along with the melody of the violin.

“Did he? I’d like to hear about him.”

“He’s a music teacher,” she said. “He used to play for your father. You may not remember, but we’ve met once before.”

Conall turned to her, a smile on his face. “I wondered if you remembered me.”

Allyn spun around to him. “What?” Her hands fell to her sides. “You actually remembered me...this entire time?”

He nodded and her face flushed. “You’re kidding me.”

“I’m not.”

They’d only been ten years old when her father brought her along to the central palace for a private concert. She’d been allowed to play with the young prince in the gardens and playrooms for just one weekend, and she never forgot the fun they’d shared. That was one of the last good memories she had before her life took a turn for the worst.

“Wow,” she said. “You’re the one that’s full of surprises.”

“How could I forget the girl with the red hair? I noticed you immediately when you came down the stairs tonight.”

“Conall,” Allyn whispered. “I think you might be right about the whole fate thing.”

He shrugged. “I told you.”

“Okay. So, tell me more about Prince Conall Baran.”

“What is there? Everyone knows of the curse of the Wolf. It is a part of my clan and part of Elastria’s history.”

Allyn sat down on one of the bar stools at his kitchen island. “I’m sure there is more to you than your subjects know. Like your twin brother, Lennox. What’s his deal?”

The way Conall’s face paled at the mention of his brother made her wish she hadn’t brought him up.