Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast(13)

“Me too,” she said softly. Everything within her told her to shut up right then and not reveal any more of her past, but her heart silenced her head. “My father sent me away to the convent after my mother died. I guess he couldn’t look at me since we looked so similar.”

“Damn. The nuns were nice to you at least?”

No. They were horrid bitches.

“Sure. They were okay,” she lied, keeping the disdain from scrunching up her nose as she looked at him.

He didn’t ask any more questions and she was grateful.

The silence between them was comfortable as they ate everything on their plates.

“Thank you for everything,” she said once she finished the last of her waffle. She sipped some of her coffee and pulled her legs into her chest, getting comfy in her chair.

He drank the rest of his coffee and gave her a curious look.

Allyn wasn’t sure what it was, but something was different. Her stomach dropped when she realized that getting drunk and sloppy probably ruined her chances with him. Who was she kidding? He probably was disappointed that they didn’t get to sleep together.

“No worries,” he said and stretched his arms over his head. He watched her for a moment, before turning his attention to the cityscape. “I’m glad we crossed paths again.”

Water and slush trailed down the glass on the outside, and all of the pretty lights from the night were gone. Just buildings and snow-covered streets.

“Me too,” Allyn said as she stood and walked to the railing. “I think that weekend as kids is one of my favorite memories. Do you remember the game we played in your treehouse when we were kids?”

Conall left the table and joined her. She tensed when he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

She could barely think with him that close to her, but tried to hide her anxiety. He brushed her hair from her neck and over her shoulder.

When he kissed the back of her neck, her eyes fluttered closed.

“I do,” he whispered, and she licked her lips. “Its one of my favorite memories as well. I didn’t get much of an opportunity to be a child, but meeting you showed me a glimpse of a better life.”

Allyn turned to him. She beamed. “Really?”

He pressed her body to the railing and nodded. “One thing you’ll learn about me is that I say what I mean. Unlike my brother, I am honest.”

Allyn nodded, relieved to hear it. The entire kingdom knew of the menace Prince Lennox was. It was refreshing to learn that Conall was different. She didn’t doubt a word he said.

Her mind raced as she imagined a possible life with Conall. It was a long shot, but there was something there. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she took a chance—one she prayed would be worth it—and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Prince Conall took the hint and kissed her, his lips pressing to hers as he lifted her by her thighs. Her heart sang as his kisses left her mouth and moved to her throat and clavicle.

Allyn didn’t care that they could possibly be seen from the window as he lifted her sweater over her head and tossed it to the balcony floor.

Their eyes met and he carried her from the balcony and back inside. They didn’t need to speak as he crossed the living room and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom in the loft.

Her heart sped as he laid her on the bed, and climbed on top of her.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Conall asked, taking off his shirt. “If things are moving too fast, just let me know.”

Allyn licked her lips at the sight of his bare chest, rippled with muscles and abs that were so tight, she imagined them being hard as stone.

“Are you kidding?” she asked as he took off his pants. She gulped once he took off his boxers, and revealed his hardened manhood to her.

Such perfection should be illegal.

She’d only ever been with one other person, and he’d betrayed her. It was time for her to stop guarding her heart and see what it was like with another. Her heart told her that Conall was worth the risk.

Conall reached inside the nightstand and pulled out a condom. Once it was on, Allyn took him by the hands, pulling him on top of her.

He grinned and kissed her once again before tugging her pants off.

She exhaled, a bit nervous as he looked at her body. He delicately took off her black panties and kissed her thighs.

“You’re beautiful, Allyn,” he said, softly, and slid his hands along her back.

Allyn tensed, and Conall froze.

Their eyes met and she sucked in a breath. For a second, she’d almost forgot about the hundreds of scars that marred her back.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice on the brink of being angry. He took a glance at her back and she closed her eyes in shame.

“Who did this to you?”

Allyn’s lips trembled. “The nuns. In the convent.” She drew in another breath. “They beat me.”

Conall tilted her chin and made her look at him. Without a word, he turned and showed her his back.

She gasped, and touched the scars that covered his back. While tattoos were placed meticulously to hide them, Allyn could feel each raised line along his flesh.

“My father,” he said before she could ask.

She pursed her lips. She didn’t need to ask. She knew what he meant.

When he turned back to her, she pulled him back onto her, her arms around his neck as their tongues explored one another’s.