Dodging Calamities (Artemis University Book 7)

shock and disgust blooming all over my face. “So fate is pushing me to forgive you because it makes me horny?”
Anger filled his eyes, but he let out a slow breath and chilled. “You are so damn pessimistic, but I understand why.” He huffed. “I try to. No, that’s not—it’s not about being horny, Tamsin. I’m your mate. It hurts me to see you upset. Doesn’t—weren’t you in pain to see River and I upset?”
That was fair and the truth, and I acknowledged it, chilling a bit even as I crossed my arms over my chest. I even went a step further. “I’m sorry. This is all sensitive to me given how I found out. I’m not trying to be a bitch or shit on your traditions. I didn’t grow up with any of this, and from what I’ve seen, all the mating stuff seems a lot like traps, not good stuff.”
He didn’t respond right away, sighing. “I understand, but I’ve only seen the loving side. My parents were an alliance pairing, but were mates. They are yin to yang, and their love is so real and amazing. It’s what every dragon dreams of finding, so it’s an instant reaction to defend it.”
“I’ll try and chill, but that’s the best I can promise.”
“I appreciate that.” He cleared his throat. “So the push is for me to make amends and fix that I hurt my mate, even though you asked for time. Maybe you give me the chance to make things right, but fate and the gods won’t be so shallow that sex makes everything right.”
Again, that was fair, and I acknowledged it. So, that left what had happened just now, and I asked the question again. I was shocked when anger filled his eyes.
“Casual can still mean respect, right? I don’t think I ever disrespected you as scratching an itch or just getting some. If you need to get off, I’ve seen the toys you have, or there are dildos you can fuck. I’m not—I know I’ve screwed up in every way that hurt you and I’m a horrible person for what I’ve done, but I’m not a cheap fuck. I’m your mate, so please don’t treat me like that again and destroy me. Please leave.”
My jaw fell open as he moved away from the window. My feet moved on their own, my shoulders sagging as I couldn’t even seem to process what he’d said, but feeling horrible and like a grounded pup as I hurried to get out of there. It wasn’t until I was halfway down the building that it started sinking in.
And I had no idea how to react.
No, I knew I needed to get out the magic that was snowballing in me, and fast, nodding to Ray who was shadowing me in wolf form. I went out to the witch and warlock part of the woods and destroyed some trees that could be cut down for firewood. Then I decided to work on my growing magic for botany, so I was replacing what I had destroyed.
Ray made a noise of warning that sounded like something natural to be heard in the woods right before I felt someone approaching.
I turned and saw Instructor McGrath approaching. Fuck. He was one of the last people I really wanted to deal with right then. The council spy and my potions teacher was a pervert and sick fuck that I wanted to take down. With the mood I was in, I might bury him in the woods, not slap on the smile and play the game I needed to.
“Did you need the area to practice?” I asked him, deliberately leaving off his title, which I knew pissed him the fuck off from his thoughts. He was a Dom and all women were submissive to him, so my not respecting him as he deserved and showing him my neck all the time set him off.
Which was seriously fun.
Plus, it made him miss the dig that I implied he needed to practice something. It was so much more fun when the foes were dense.
“No, I heard what sounded like explosions in the forest and had asked last time what the noise was,” he answered with as fake of a smile as mine. “When I received the answer of ‘Vale working out her demons,’ I thought it curious and decided to come see this time. What demons are you tackling this time?”
It was hard not to laugh as that whole answer was bullshit.
I studied him a moment, letting him squirm mentally. “Huh. That’s odd.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What is?”
“I didn’t think I had done anything in the woods here this semester.” And I hadn’t, which was why his answer was such bullshit.
“Shit. I hadn’t factored that as a possibility when she’s such a hothead. She’s had to. All the council and teachers speak of is her temper and violent behavior.” He blinked around at the destruction as if backing up his thoughts. “For you, this is probably nothing much to note, but it’s fairly hard to forget for someone experiencing it for the first time.”
My lips twitched before I could stop them, even snorting. He was such an idiot he didn’t realize what he’d just admitted, and I couldn’t let it go. Honestly, it wasn’t in my nature to let it go, and that would send up warning flags for him.
Or so I told myself.
“Sorry you’ve never experienced something like being able to do power claps that can take out trees,” I replied, my tone suppressing the mocking that he wasn’t strong enough. I lost my mirth when his thoughts turned dark and involved smacking me around and putting me in my place. I couldn’t put him in his place, so I poked him how I could. “No demons, simply helping the teachers with the firewood.”
He again raised an