All my decisions went to hell. As soon as I closed my eyes that night, I felt the touch of Seraphus's lips on mine and woke up madly horny. Then again, and again and again and again. By morning, I was more tired than from any other sleepless night. I don't understand why this is happening to me. I seem to have already set my mind to something else. I had accepted the idea of letting the trio seduce me. And so all night long my mind has been reminding me, punishing me, tormenting me with the heat in my blood.

Seraphus tincture has finished. That's too bad. I don't know what was in it, but it's gone for tomorrow, and I don't want a repeat of the past. And I'm pretty sure that tonight I'll probably be seeing Seraphus in my dreams again. What can one kiss do to a heart in love? It wasn't even a normal kiss; I didn't even get to enjoy it. It's a little hurtful, but I can't think about it. I need a tincture. If I go to the healers and ask them to make one, will it become public? I get enough attention as it is.

"Oh mother almighty, I can't believe my eyes," Fima's shocked whisper breaks me from my breakfast. Ailes lifts his head from my shoulder, and Stellare, Vox, and Mor also straighten up and freeze, looking behind me.

Turning around, I gulp when I see Ellior, head held high, entering the dining hall in the Headmaster's company. Oh shit. I quickly turn away and roll down a little. Why is he still here? Where's Seraphus? Did they fix their relationship?

"What the hell is your brother doing here, Stel?" Vox hisses, wrinkling his nose in distaste.

"I have no idea," Stellare whispers, lowering his head. I can feel the helpless anger and pain emanating from him now. I find his hand under the table and squeeze it. The elf looks up at me in distress.

"Since when does his ugly ass visit the House?" Ailes snorts.

"Could it be because of the dissenters? One of them was the light one," Fima whispers, watching the Headmaster and Ellior heading towards the teachers' table.

"You think he'd get his ass here because of something like that? I don't think so," Vox tsks. "What a prick."

"Actually, he's cute," Mor shrugs.

"Open your eyes, jerk," Ailes snarls. "He's an asshole, and that's it."

"But..."

"Enough," I say to Vox softly, pointing a glance at a completely slumped Stellare. "It's understandable that you hate him, trying to support your boyfriend in this way, but there's no need to attack others. Mor isn't to blame for the discord of the elven house. Don't."

"But he's an asshole, and I'm not saying that to support Stellare," Vox hisses angrily. "He's an arrogant, obnoxious, cocky son of a bitch. He came here to show off. He doesn't give a shit about anyone, and he certainly doesn't give a shit about Seraphus. Look at him. Look at the way he shows off, the pleasure he gets from the loving stares, from these assholes who adore him. I truly hate him for who he is. That's it."

I catch Vox's angry look and look at him pleadingly. None of this will help Stellare. He's hurt, he's resentful, and certainly words like that, hate and rage, aren't going to restore his peace of mind.

"Um...so, are we meeting here after class to discuss the ball? We need to send out invitations as soon as possible," Fima utters, and I smile gratefully at her. "Stellare, you promised invitation templates, and today we could fill them out and color them together. Right?"

"Ah... yeah, right, yeah, I sent out a request yesterday. We should check the mailing point. The invitations are probably already there," Stellare nods. "I'll check after class."

"Great. Let's talk about outfits, huh? Do you think it would be okay if I wore a crown?"

"Babe, we'll find you a crown that will make everyone envious," Ailes snorts, smiling.

The conversation turns to discussing costumes, to remembering the successful and unsuccessful outfits someone has seen at all in their lives. And it distracts Stellare. I, trying not to draw attention, cautiously observe Ellior eating breakfast at the common table. If he's so arrogant, he's supposed to be cringing at the dishes, at the lack of servants, but it doesn't bother him. He took his own breakfast, seems even polite. Maybe he's not so bad after all? Yes, yes, yes, I know I've personally talked to him before and he behaved horribly. But he was in shock. Why the hell am I making excuses for him?

"Come on, we have fire magic first lesson."

I get up with the others, and we clean up the dishes and trays behind us. Nodding and smiling at Piros sitting at the table with his friends, I intertwine our fingers with Stellare's and get a wide smile in return.

"You okay?" I inquire in a whisper, following after the friends who have gone ahead and are excitedly discussing the elf prince's appearance.

"Weird," Stellare croaks. "What does he want here? What do you think?"

"I'm closer to Fima's version, to be honest. I think it's all about the dissenters."

"Maybe. Of course, that's much more important to him than his brother."

"Come on, Stellare, he's sure to meet with you. You're in the same place. Well, at least he'll be curious to see you. You two haven't seen each other in how long?"

"A very long time. Really very long ago. He hardly remembers my name at all," he snorts.

"Don't overplay it. How can anyone forget their brother's name? Even if there are...seven brothers?"

"Five," he grins. "There are five of us. Two died during the war, twins."

"Oh, yeah, sorry."

"It's okay. I didn't even know them. Though they certainly had the same opinion of this one..."

"Milord Isengard," I flinch and stop when I hear Ellior's melodic and equally mocking voice.

Not here. I'm not ready for this. But I have to turn around, and so does Stellare.

"Good morning, Your Highness," I nod politely to him.

With a snort, Ellior steps closer to me, his nostrils flaring as if I smell bad. He doesn't even look at Stellare, who grips my hand tighter.

"Can I help you with something?" I ask him.

"Yeah, you're in the same grade with one of my brothers, aren't you?"

"Yeah," I nod perplexedly, glancing at the pale Stellare. Is he kidding me? There he is. Right next to me.

"I see, and where is he? Also, what's his name? I think it's Rumielle or Dlinielle?"

I open my mouth in shock. This can't be possible! That's just unbelievable impudence! Did he really forget his brother's name? Forgot what his brother looks like? And Stellare is right next to me! There he is looking at him, but there wasn't even recognition in the prince's eyes. Oh, Mother.

Fury flares in my chest at such disregard for Stellare.

"Yeah," I snort, "I guess the crown must have squeezed out some of your brains after all, Your Highness, since you don't even have any idea how your brother looks or what his name is. By the way, here he is. And he has a lovely name. Stellare."

I raise up our intertwined fingers with Stellare. Ellior shifts his gaze to his brother in puzzlement and frowns.

"How dare you speak to me like that? Whelp," the prince hisses insultingly, stepping closer to me, momentarily forgetting about his brother.

"Punish me," I reply in the same hiss, without lowering my gaze. "Punish me for the truth. Well, Stellare," I turn to the elf, "you were right. Your brother is an insufferable, arrogant, narcissistic asshole. I believe you now, as I believe the others. There's no excuse for his behavior. I hope the crown squeezes his head hard enough to cause him more pain than you're feeling right now. Let's get to class, otherwise I'll be sick of the stench of this royalty."

Turning around, I angrily drag Stellare after me.

"You'll answer for this, Arkan!" Ellior's words fly back at me with hatred. Asshole.

"Fuck you," I whisper under my breath.

I'm shaking with rage. How can this be? How? I didn't believe it. I looked at him for excuses. How could he be so nasty? How could he humiliate his own brother like that? How? And this's a prince! And this's a future king! Disgusting! Now I don't want him to be with Seraphus. I don't!

"Lua," Stellare, out of breath from my quick stride, yanks my arm and forces me to stop.

"What a prick!" I whisper indignantly. "What a jerk! I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I'm sorry...how could he? How? I hate him."

"Hey, calm down," Stellare places a palm gently on my cheek, "calm down. I'm used to it. And he can get back at you, Lua. He won't just forget it. You've insulted him."

"I don't care about that! Let him shove that insult to his ass," I growl. "First, he breaks Seraphus's heart, leaves him, and tortures him. Then he goes after you. Bastard. He doesn't deserve to be king! He..."

"Lua, Lua," Stellare wraps his hands around my face. "Calm down."

"I can't. I'm shaking with anger. I'm shaking. I wanted to hit him. I thought he was joking. A joke.... but did he? Mother, I wanted to punch him so bad."

"You're so cute," Stellare smiles. "But don't worry. I'm used to it. To be honest, I didn't expect anything else from him at all."

"But this..."

"I know you're a fighter for justice and it hurt you like it hurt me. I know, but don't waste your energy on that asshole. He'll be leaving soon. He's..."

"And what's going on here? Don't you have any classes?" A menacing growl echoes down the corridor, and both Stellare and I flinch. The elf immediately lets go of me, but I step forward, shoving him behind my back.

"I'm asking you both! What do you two think you're doing? Don't you have classes or have you decided to skip them?" Seraphus walks quickly toward us, glaring angrily with his eyes.

"We're just on our way to class. It's still ten minutes until class starts," I calmly reply, tearing down the fierce stare and the demon's bright, juicy scent. Oh, mother, help. Please help. "Stellare was calming my rage so I wouldn't do bad things with yours, true one," I spit out the last word with disdain.

"What?" Seraphus looks me over glumly.

"Teach your lover politeness, Seraphus, and make him learn the names of his own brothers, as well as behave appropriately. This is not the Elf Kingdom here, this is our House, and I won't allow anyone to offend those I care about. Keep your lover in line," I hissed in my teacher's face. I'll be killed for this! I'll be punished, and that's for sure! But right now I don't care! Ellior not only took my beloved away from me, who doesn't even remember me or our kiss, which he started. So he's also humiliated Stellare, and I know how the elf is sensitive to his older brother's attention, how he desires it and how hurt he feels. I'm tired of putting up with it. Tired.

Grabbing a shocked Stellare by the arm, I step around Seraphus, who's stunned at my insolence, and lead the guy into the classroom. He should know that I won't let anyone hurt Stellare.

"Oh mother almighty, Lua, what have you done?" Stellare whispers in horror. "You'll be punished. The Headmaster won't forgive you for this, and Seraphus will definitely report you."

"I don't care. At least I ruined your brother's mood," I snort.

"How did you even think to talk to him like that?" Stellare shakes his head. "Seraphus is, after all..."

"He won't do anything to me. I just know it. He's going to tell Ellior, and they're going to fight. That's what I wanted. Let them both suffer. Let them both hurt. For everything I'm going through. Let them suffer," I whisper angrily. "Let them suffer. Let them hurt. Let them know we're not idiots and we won't let them treat us like this. There's a price for our pain, too. Let them pay it."

"You should calm down, Lua," Stellare looks around the fire elemental hall where the classrooms are located excitedly. "I'm in shock, obviously, but that was awesome. So cool. You're my hero."

With a hum, I get a kiss on the cheek from Stellare, and we enter the classroom last.

"By the way, who's Arkan? It's not the first time I've heard that name. I think Seraphus called you that when you were wounded. Now Ellior," Stellare inquires, settling down at his seat behind our desk.

"And who is Arkan? And where have you been? I've missed you," Ailes leans against Stellare and he smiles and smacks him on the top of his head.

"Arkan...it's...well, I hate the name Luappo," I whisper quickly, all my friends listening to me intently. "And my friend... back home he called me Arkan. I chose that name for myself. Or just Kan. If you want, you can call me that in private too. Ellior must have learned it from Seraphus, because Seraphus calls me that. I asked him to."

"Arkan," Vox whispers. "I like it. Kan. It's a cool name."

"Now you'll be Kan for us too," Fima nods. "Why didn't you say that before?"

"I don't know, I didn't think you'd want to," I smile embarrassedly.

"Cool name," Mor nods. "You'll be Kan. I don't like your real name either."

"So, where have you been?"

I give Stellare a glance, allowing Stellare to tell the others everything. And he quickly whispers to them with his own personal delight, retelling what happened.

"You're screwed, man," Mohr tsks. "Really, you're screwed. His brother is unlikely to forgive, and neither is Seraphus."

"Yeah, Seraphus hates it when someone talks to him like that. And you openly threw humiliation in his face, Kan. That's not good. You're on fire today."

"He won't do anything to me. I saved his life," I snort. "So he owes me. Let this go towards the debt. And Ellior, who the hell is he? He's a jerk. Wouldn't you do the same?"

"I guess that's why you've been getting punishments from Isengard," Ailes sighs heavily. "You don't know how to shut up on time, Kan. No matter how much we despise Ellior, he's a prince. He's the future king, and we're forced to follow protocols. My father would kill me for something like this. Especially since you live in the Elf Kingdom. If your father found out? He'd kill you."

"I don't care," I jerk my shoulders irritably. "I won't get back to the Duke, anyway. I'd rather die."

"Okay, don't touch him now. He needs to calm down. A fire has risen inside him, and we're in a fire elemental class. I don't want anything to explode," Fima pronounces and waves the guys away, then leans toward me. "That was awesome. I hate Ellior for what he did to Seraphus. You're a fearless fool, Kan, but I still admire you."

I grin.

"Thanks."

"And still my hero," Stellare whispers in my ear. "It's easy to fall in love with, Kan. You're easy to fall in love with."

"Get off him," Mor pushes the giggling elf away from me, and I smile. Yeah, I guess I'm worthy of being loved by at least someone.

"Good morning, my fiery guests. Let's begin our lesson." the teacher enters the classroom with his dragon and we open our notebooks.

I like our teacher. Unlike Piros, he's completely different. A little sloppy, funny, and his classes are easy. I get distracted writing fire spell symbols for a household topic.

There is a knock on the door, and the headmaster appears on the doorstep.

"I apologize. I need Luappo for a word," he dryly informs. Of course, I've already been reported.

"Yes, yes, of course. Luappo, don't be long."

With a nod, I get up from my seat and wink at my tense friends, walking calmly out of the classroom. But my calmness immediately fades away as soon as I see Ellior hiding a satisfied smirk.

I'm screwed. The headmaster is going to kick me out of here. But that's okay. I'll find a way out, but Ellior will never get the satisfaction of my humiliation. I won't give him that opportunity.

Squinting and glaring at Ellior, I raise my chin, accepting Ellior's the challenge.