Chapter 223: Stop Flirting With My Boyfriend, Caelis!

"What game?" Thamas asked, his voice gravelly.

"Chibun racing," Maverick answered. "Caelis wants three humans from each House competing over three consecutive rounds."

Caelis smirked. "We’ll see if your human is as good at racing Chibuns as she is at running her mouth."

At that, Thamas had nothing to say. Chibun racing appeared almost childish on the surface, but much of it came down to luck. The creatures were notoriously unpredictable, which was precisely what made the races entertaining—and one of the more popular sports for gambling among beasts. No amount of strength or intimidation could guarantee a Chibun would cooperate, which meant even Thamas couldn’t be certain Charlotte would win.

"I’m in," Charlotte said without even understanding the nature of the game.

Then she looked at Karen, smirking. "Is she in too, or will she find some convenient excuse now that she knows she’s bound to lose?"

"I was already in before you even arrived, loser," Karen hissed, stepping right into her face. Neither of them backed down.

Charlotte scoffed. "We’ll see who’s the loser at the end."

Venus hadn’t returned alone. Several other students from House Ophidian accompanied him, each carrying a wooden crate. A scratching noise came from the first one, and Charlotte immediately took a step back.

"What the hell is in there?"

Valerie was practically bouncing with excitement. "Wait for it."

Amused by Valerie’s enthusiasm, one of the handlers crouched and opened the little wooden door. Something silver-grey poked its head out, and Aria’s suspicion vanished.

"Oh my God."

The creature cautiously hopped onto the stone, and Aria wanted to melt on the spot.

It resembled a rabbit at first glance, but its body was smaller and rounder, covered in such thick, velvety fur that Aria immediately wanted to bury both hands in it. Its ears were also shorter and slightly rounded at the tips, while an enormous fluffy tail curled behind it like a plume. Huge black eyes regarded the surrounding crowd with absolutely no concern for the fact that dozens of predators were staring back.

Another crate opened and a cream-colored one hopped out. Then came chestnut, black, mottled grey and white. By the time all nine crates had been opened, there were enough Chibuns gathered together to make Aria and Brittney briefly forget they were supposed to be competing with them.

"I want one," Brittney declared immediately, her eyes shining with delight.

"Nope." Trisha shook her head. "We’re not taking random animals back to the dorm."

"They’re not random animals," Variant corrected. "Chibuns are a crossbreed between rabbits and chinchillas. They got the powerful hind legs and speed from rabbits, but most of that ridiculously soft fur comes from the chinchilla side."

Brittney stared at the nearest Chibun as if Variant had just strengthened her argument.

"So what you’re telling me is that it’s a rabbit with upgraded fluff?"

Variant considered that. "That’s a horribly inaccurate description."

"But not entirely wrong," Valerie added.

"Perfect." Brittney nodded decisively. "I want two now."

"I’m not waking up with that thing chewing my hair." Trisha glared at her.

"It wouldn’t chew your hair."

Except right at that moment, one of the Chibuns began chewing on the end of its handler’s sleeve.

Trisha gave her a pointed look.

Brittney covered it up with a grin. "We’d raise ours with good manners."

Aria couldn’t help herself. They were so adorable. But she’d spent enough time volunteering at the shelter to know that an animal being adorable meant absolutely nothing where temperament was concerned. Still, she desperately wanted to touch one.

She turned to Maverick. "Can I have one after this is over?"

Except before Maverick could answer, Caelis said, "If you win the competition, I’ll let you keep one."

Silence fell.

Aria stared at Caelis, and judging by the expressions around her, she wasn’t the only one caught off guard.

What the fuck was going on with him tonight?

Caelis Cobryn barely spoke unless he had something worth saying. Yet, since Aria had returned to the party, he’d been inserting himself into conversations, provoking her, bantering with her, and now offering her a Chibun before her own boyfriend could even answer.

Beside her, Maverick went very still.

Okay. This was getting weird.

Everyone expected Maverick to put Caelis in his place, but he simply glanced past the basilisk to his girlfriend. He cupped her cheek and said, "Don’t worry. I’ll get you another one. We don’t know where he got these, and for all we know, they could be wild or diseased. I’ll find you a well-mannered one."

"They aren’t wild, and they’re fully vaccinated," Caelis said aloud. "Moreover, I’m sure Aria would appreciate a Chibun she earned through her own efforts far more than one simply handed to her. Isn’t that right, Miss Aria?"

The whispers started again, only louder this time. Just like Valerie and Variant, Brittney and Trisha exchanged a look. Why the hell was Caelis so invested in Aria and Maverick’s business?

Maverick was about to interfere, but Aria touched his arm and told him gently, "Let me handle this."

She could see in his eyes how badly he wanted to knock the teeth out of Caelis’s mouth, and that was exactly what she didn’t want. That snake was sneaky, and she still didn’t understand why he seemed so determined to provoke them.

"Mr. Cobryn—"

"Caelis," he corrected. "I referred to you by your first name. Perhaps you could extend me the same courtesy."

Aria kept a polite expression on her face, although deep down, she wanted to strangle him. He was so fucking infuriating. Nonetheless, she put on a faux smile.

"Mr. Caelis," she said pointedly. "You are awfully interested in my business tonight."

"Yes, I am."

That wasn’t the answer Aria had expected.

"Excuse me?"

Caelis appeared unfazed. "Your boyfriend has spent a considerable amount of time drilling into our heads that the humans are to receive special treatment. What better way to earn his approval than by treating his very own girlfriend even better than he expects?"

Aria stared at him for a moment before a slow smile touched her lips.

"Oh, I see." She nodded as though his explanation had suddenly made perfect sense. "So all of this is about impressing my boyfriend?"

A few snickers sounded around them while Caelis’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses.

"How thoughtful of you, Mr. Caelis," Aria continued sweetly. "Although if you’re trying this hard to earn Maverick’s approval, perhaps you should offer him the Chibun instead."

Brittney choked on a laugh. So did Valerie and Variant.

Aria wasn’t finished.

"As for me, I’ll gladly earn mine." Her attention shifted toward the Chibuns before returning to Caelis. "But let’s make one thing clear. If I win, I’m keeping it because I won it. Not because you decided to give me something."

"Naturally," Caelis answered with a smirk.

"Good." Aria smiled back just as pleasantly. "Then stop flirting with my boyfriend through me and start the damn competition."

Caelis seemed satisfied with that and finally got down to business.

"Fine then. Each House, provide your three humans."

Naturally, House Therion was already set with Aria, Brittney, and Trisha. Still, Aria glanced in the direction Alek had disappeared with Dimitri.

"Do you think Alek would be interested in playing?"

"With that mood and whatever drama she has going on?" Trisha shook her head. "I highly doubt it. She can cheer us on from the sidelines if she comes back. We’ll go to her once we’re done here."

Aria and Brittney nodded in agreement.

At the same time, Karen turned eagerly to Caelis. "There are four of us. Do you have any of the girls in mind to join me?"

She waited expectantly for his answer, but Caelis barely spared her a glance.

"Do whatever you want. I don’t give a fuck whether you win or lose." Then, as if it were an afterthought, he added, "This isn’t about you anyway."

And with that, he walked away.

For a moment, Karen simply stood there, stunned.

What did he mean it wasn’t about her?

Her eyes followed Caelis before drifting toward Aria and her friends, who were laughing about something amongst themselves.

No. It couldn’t be what she was thinking.

But once the thought entered her head, she couldn’t get rid of it. Caelis had barely tolerated Karen hanging on his arm all night, yet he’d spent an unusual amount of time talking to Aria. Provoking her. Bantering with her. He’d even offered her a Chibun and admitted outright that he was interested in her business.

Karen’s hands slowly balled into fists. Surely Caelis wasn’t interested in Aria.

Not him too.

The bitterness simmering inside her sharpened into something uglier. Aria Aspen was becoming a thorn in her side.

Caelis’s attention shifted to Thamas.

"Neither Rhydian nor Tamara is here, which makes you the highest-ranking Aetheris dragon available. Where are the remaining humans from your House?"

"We’ll get them," Charlotte answered before Thamas could.

She slipped her arm through his and steered him away. Thamas allowed himself to be led, but the moment they were far enough that the others could no longer hear them, his expression hardened.

"Tamara still isn’t here." There was an accusing edge to his voice. "You said this would work."

"And it will." Charlotte appeared entirely unconcerned. "Patience. There’s still time. Word will reach her."

Thamas regarded her for a moment, clearly less convinced than she was.

"I need to get the other girls," Charlotte added. "I’ll be back."

She released his arm and headed off in search of her roommates, leaving Thamas watching after her.