CHAPTER 118: LEARN TO SHARE*

The gazebo sat at the far edge of the academy gardens, hidden behind overgrown hedges and flowering vines. Perfect for secret meetings.

Aegis arrived first, leaning against one of the wooden pillars. The sun had set an hour ago, leaving the sky a deep purple. Fireflies drifted past.

Footsteps approached.

Talia emerged from the shadows, black hair loose around her shoulders. She wore her uniform, but her tie was gone and her top button was undone.

[Ohhhh fuck, Casual Talia, my beloved.]

"You’re late," Aegis said with a smirk.

"I had to make sure no one followed me, you idiot." Talia stepped into the gazebo, glancing around. "We can’t be seen together. Remember?"

"Right. Because we’re mortal enemies now."

"Exactly."

Talia sat on the bench, crossing her legs.

[She looks so good. Unfairly good.]

Aegis joined her, keeping a respectable distance. For about five seconds.

"So," Talia said. "Serilla."

"What about her?"

"She completely ignored Liora today. Didn’t even look at her during lunch."

Aegis grinned.

"Really?"

"Really." Talia studied her, head tilted. "What did you do?"

"A bit."

"That’s what you keep saying. But ’a bit’ doesn’t usually result in someone forgetting their ex-girlfriend exists."

Aegis shrugged.

"I’m just that good."

"Modest as always."

"Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it."

Talia snorted, lips twitching into a smile. They sat in silence for a moment. Fireflies blinked around them. Somewhere in the distance, students laughed about something.

"Well," Talia said eventually, "whatever it was, good job."

"Thanks."

"Liora’s been less stressed. That’s nice to see."

Aegis watched her profile. Talia’s face softened when she talked about Liora, all the usual ice melting away.

[Still completely in love with her, despite everything. That’s cute.]

"Speaking of good jobs," Aegis said, shifting to face her, "I’ve been thinking about our little problem."

"Which one? We have several."

"The Darius problem. The marriage problem."

Talia’s expression hardened instantly.

"What about it?"

"I have a plan."

"Does it involve assassination? Because I’ve considered it."

Aegis laughed.

"No. Nothing that dramatic." She leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "Remember what I said before? About becoming a noble so I could marry you instead?"

Talia raised an eyebrow.

"Of course. Though... The more I thought about it, the less feasible it seemed. Becoming a noble isn’t something you just... do. It takes years."

"Or," Aegis said, grinning, "you win the Winter Trials."

Talia blinked.

"Valdris said the top performers get recognition from the Crown. That includes potential titles. If I win, I could earn noble status right there."

"Win the entire thing?"

"Yep."

Talia stared at her. Then she laughed.

Not a polite laugh. A real one. Head thrown back, shoulders shaking.

[Oh come on.]

"What?" Aegis asked, slightly offended.

"You," Talia managed between laughs, "think you can win the Winter Trials?"

"Why not?"

"Because—" Talia wiped her eyes. "Because there are students here who’ve been training their entire lives. You’ve been at the academy for a few months."

"So?"

"So you’re good, Aegis. I’ll give you that. But winning the entire tournament?" She shook her head. "That’s ambitious even for you."

Aegis crossed her arms. "You don’t think I can do it."

"I think you’re talented. But realistic? Not so much."

"Why? Because I’m a commoner?"

"No. Because Darius Goldspire exists."

Aegis paused.

[Right. Darius. That smug bastard.]

"The combat portion is a tournament," Talia explained. "Bracket-style. And Darius will very likely win the whole thing."

"How do you know?"

"Because he’s beaten everyone here. Including me."

That got Aegis’s attention. "When?"

"Last year. Before he transferred. We sparred during a political gathering." Talia’s jaw tightened. "He’s fast. Strong. And he fights dirty when he needs to."

Aegis remembered that from the game. Darius was the first major combat challenge. The player was scripted to lose to him, setting up a rivalry that lasted the rest of the story.

But this wasn’t the game anymore.

[I’m not losing to that pompous asshole. Not happening.]

"Then I’ll beat him," Aegis said simply.

Talia looked at her like she’d announced she was going to punch the moon.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"You’re insane."

"Maybe. But I can do it."

Talia sighed, rubbing her temples.

"Even if you somehow win the combat tournament—which is a big if—that’s just step one, Aegis."

"I know."

"Do you? Because a title alone won’t make you a suitable marriage candidate. You’d still need money. Connections. A reputation that doesn’t include ’shameless commoner who sleeps with everyone.’ My mother would never approve of you marrying me unless you had something substantial to offer. Land, perhaps. Or a business."

Aegis nodded slowly.

"So I need to build an empire."

"More or less."

"In less than a year."

"Preferably." Talia’s expression softened slightly. "I’m not trying to discourage you. I’m just being realistic. This isn’t a fairy tale."

"I know." Aegis reached out, pulling Talia onto her lap. "But I’m stubborn as hell, so don’t worry."

Talia’s eyes widened, her ass landing right on Aegis’s thighs.

"Aegis, someone could see—"

"No one’s out here. And I’m not done talking."

Aegis wrapped her arms around Talia’s waist. The princess settled against her, thighs straddling Aegis’s hips. Her skirt rode up slightly.

[Fuck, she’s warm.]

"Let’s see... I’m going to win the Winter Trials," Aegis said, voice low, smiling. "I’m going to earn a title. And then I’m going to marry you."

Talia’s face flushed, a pretty pink spreading across her cheeks.

"That’s ridiculous."

"Maybe"

Aegis grinned, hands sliding down to Talia’s ass. She squeezed, fingers sinking into the soft flesh.

Talia gasped, hips jerking forward. Her pussy pressed against Aegis’s cock through their clothes.

[Oh. She’s already wet. I can feel it.]

"Shut up."

"I didn’t say anything."

"You thought it!"

"... Maybe."

Talia kissed her.

It started slow. Soft lips pressing together. Then Talia’s tongue slipped into Aegis’s mouth and things escalated fast.

Aegis squeaked into the kiss, hands kneading Talia’s ass. Her cock was already rock hard, straining against her pants.

Talia ground down against it, rubbing her pussy along the length.

[Fuck fuck fuck.]

Aegis’s hands moved under Talia’s skirt, fingers hooking into her panties. They were soaked. She pulled them aside, exposing Talia’s pussy to the cool night air.

Talia broke the kiss, panting.

"Here?"

"Here."

"We could get caught."

"Then you better be quiet."

Aegis freed her cock, the head already slick with precum. She lined up with Talia’s entrance, rubbing against her wet folds.

Talia bit her lip, trying to stay silent as Aegis pushed inside.

Tight. So fucking tight.

Aegis groaned, hands gripping Talia’s hips hard enough to bruise. She guided her down slowly, inch by inch, until Talia was fully seated on her cock.

"Fuck," Talia whispered, forehead pressed against Aegis’s shoulder. Her pussy clenched around Aegis’s length.

"You good?"

"Move. Now."

Aegis did. She lifted Talia up, then pulled her back down hard. Slow at first, savoring the feeling, then faster.

The sound of skin slapping filled the gazebo. Talia’s ass bounced with each thrust.

Talia’s nails dug into Aegis’s shoulders through her uniform. Her breath came in short, desperate gasps.

"You’re so tight," Aegis muttered, thrusting up into her. "Fuck, you feel amazing."

"Shut up and fuck me harder."

"Yes ma’am."

Aegis grinned. She increased her pace, cock driving deep with each thrust. Her balls slapped against Talia’s ass.

The gazebo creaked slightly. Talia muffled her moans against Aegis’s neck, teeth scraping skin.

"That’s it," Aegis whispered in her ear. "Take my cock. Good girl."

Talia’s pussy clenched around her impossibly tighter. She came with a strangled gasp, body shaking, thighs trembling.

The sensation sent Aegis over the edge. She pulled Talia down hard, burying herself deep as she came, filling Talia’s pussy with cum.

They stayed connected, panting, hearts racing.

"You’re going to get us expelled," Talia said eventually, voice shaky.

"Worth it."

Talia pulled off slowly, wincing. Aegis’s cock slipped out, followed by a trickle of cum that dripped down Talia’s thighs. She fixed her panties quickly and smoothed her skirt.

[That’s hot. Really fucking hot.]

"I should go," Talia said, cheeks still flushed. "Before someone notices I’m gone."

"Same."

They left the gazebo separately. Talia went first, disappearing into the shadows like some kind of sexy ninja.

Aegis waited a few minutes, adjusting her pants. Her cock was still half-hard.

[Down, girl. We’re done for now.]

She headed back toward the dorms, taking the long route to avoid anyone who might ask questions.

The halls were mostly empty. A few students wandered past, but no one paid her attention. The Commoner’s Locket was doing its job.

She turned a corner.

Serilla leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Her pink hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She wore a smirk that promised trouble.

[Oh for fuck’s sake.]

"Well, well," Serilla said. "Out for a late-night stroll?"

Aegis kept walking.

"Something like that."

"Funny. I could have sworn I saw Princess Stone heading this direction earlier."

Aegis stopped.

[Of course she did.]

"Did you?" Aegis asked, turning to face her.

"Mmm. I wonder what Darius would say if he heard you two hadn’t actually cut ties like he thought."

Aegis studied her. Serilla’s expression was neutral, but her blue eyes gleamed with something predatory.

[Manipulation. Testing me. Seeing if I’ll bite.] Aegis nodded to herself. [Well, two can play that game.]

Aegis walked right up to her. Close. Too close. Personal space became a distant memory.

She pressed her knee between Serilla’s legs, leaning in until their noses almost touched.

"Are you jealous?" Aegis asked.

Serilla’s smirk faltered.

"What?"

"You heard me."

Serilla scowled.

"I don’t get jealous."

"Really? Because you’re acting like it."

Serilla’s jaw tightened.

"I’m not—"

"You fucked me at the Masquerade," Aegis said, voice low. "And now you’re mad I’m still fucking other people?"

"I’m not mad."

"You don’t seem happy."

Serilla scowled, trying to push Aegis back. But Aegis pressed closer, knee rubbing between her thighs. She could feel the heat radiating from Serilla’s crotch.

[Oh. She’s hard. That’s interesting.]

"You’re not going to keep me all to yourself, Serilla," Aegis said. "You want me? You’re going to have to learn to share."

She kissed her.

Brief. Hard. Possessive. Her tongue swept into Serilla’s mouth for just a second before she pulled back.

Serilla stood there, stunned, lips parted.

Aegis walked away, hips swaying deliberately.

"This isn’t over!" Serilla called after her, voice slightly breathless.

Aegis grinned without looking back.

[Oh, I know. That’s what makes it fun.]

She reached her dorm and pushed the door open.

Lune sat at her desk, painting. Sophie was sprawled on Aegis’s bed, reading something that looked suspiciously like smut.

"Hey, big sis!" Sophie waved. "How was your walk?"

"Productive."

"Did you fuck anyone?"

"Sophie," Lune said, not looking up from her canvas.

"What? It’s a valid question!"

Aegis flopped onto the bed beside Sophie, making her bounce.

"Maybe."

"Nice." Sophie high-fived her.

Aegis stared at the ceiling, mind spinning.

[One week. One week until the Winter Trials. I need to be ready.]