28. Addi

TWENTY-EIGHT

One thing this whole mess is teaching me is that I am resilient. After Cassian's oath that felt more like a threat than a promise, the four of them left without another word, leaving me to walk back from the forest alone. It served as the perfect opportunity to gather myself and get my head on straight. They can play whatever games they like, but I won't be swayed from my purpose. All they're going to do is make me stronger. That's how I'm looking at it from now on.

The obstacles in my way are there for a reason—Vallie, Kryll, Brody, Raiden, Cassian, and now apparently some bitch called Becca. All of them. They're going to make my victory as the heir of this kingdom that much sweeter.

With that said, it feels like an eternity passes until lunch comes around. Being stuck in class, sandwiched between Brody and Kryll, doesn't help the matter, but I block them out and actually listen during the lesson. Brody's knee is back to resting against mine, and I would be lying if I said the heat didn't threaten to distract me, but I somehow manage to ignore it enough to stay on task. Sure, the class is boring, some bullshit about the kingdom's palace etiquette, but I try to absorb it.

I've managed to reduce the frustration and anger that consumed me, but they still faintly simmer beneath the surface. I kind of like it, though; it's keeping me alert. If I had been able to continue with combat class and land one more hit on Kryll, the tension would have been completely gone, but there's nothing I can do about that now. They chose the course of my day, and I'm just going to roll with it.

Stepping out of class after the bell rings, Flora and Arlo appear at my side a moment later.

"Finally. I'm starving," Arlo grumbles, earning himself an eye roll from Flora. I grin at them. Their vibe is the complete opposite of everything else that surrounds me, so I let myself enjoy it for a moment.

As we near the dining hall, I note my appetite is nowhere to be seen, but I'm going to need to keep my intake up to remain alert and present. Something tells me if these wolves can't challenge me to a duel, they may just all-out attack me without warning. With Vallie's constant bullshit on top of that, I'm never going to find that moment of peace I so desperately need.

We join the line for food, grabbing our trays before Arlo turns to me with a smirk. "What are our bets on having a problem-free lunch?"

"Arlo," Flora gasps, backhanding his stomach before grimacing at me.

"What? We may as well make it fun," he insists, turning to me for backup.

I smirk. "If I bet there will be no issues, there will be more than usual, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut and play referee to your guesses."

Arlo lifts his hand for a high-five and I take it. "See, Flo. She gets it," he states, giving her a pointed look. She just rolls her eyes at him again.

"I'm sorry. He's a jerk and just can't help himself."

"I'm not offended. He'd make good money if it were real because this shit is following me around whether I like it or not," I grumble, approaching the food counter.

I should go for the chicken breast and avocado option, but my mood right now is screaming for comfort food, so I choose the mac and cheese and some crispy chicken tenders. With a bottle of water and my food, I murmur my thanks and head for our usual table.

Nervousness settles over the other fae who are already seated, more so than usual, and I understand why when I go to place my tray down.

"You can't sit here now," a girl with blonde hair mutters, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind her ear as she struggles to make eye contact with me.

"Says who?" I ask, eyebrows pinching in confusion. My words are probably sharper than necessary, especially when I can tell this isn't her decision, but I can't help it.

"Says me."

My back stiffens at the sound of Cassian's voice. I turn to face him as I sense Flora and Arlo take their seats. His arms are relaxed at his sides, not folded across his chest like usual, and I don't know whether that's to lead me into a false sense of security or not, but it's not working.

He's trouble with a capital T, and if he thinks he can decide where I do and don't sit, he's in for a rude awakening.

"Fuck off, Cassian," I grumble, exhaling heavily, as he tilts his head, nodding toward where Brody, Raiden, and Kryll are seated.

"You're sitting with us now."

"I'm good, but thanks," I reply with the fakest smile I can muster, but I know I'm showing too much teeth for it to look anything but feral.

"It's not an offer."

"Then there's nothing for me to decline." I pull my chair out, ready to take my seat when he places his palms on the table and leans in close.

"Don't make this harder than it has to be, Addi."

Sighing, I brace my hands on the back of my chair, knowing the second I sit down, he'll bulldoze me. "I've had enough of you all to last a lifetime, but today especially. I need five minutes with my friends to forget you exist. That's not going to be possible when I'm sitting with you, is it?"

He grins like I'm amusing him, a stark contrast to the asshole earlier who was all snarly and angry. What the fuck is going on? "Keep pushing and I'll have you seated in my lap the entire time. Come now, and I'll let you have a chair for yourself."

"Is this a fucking joke?" I blurt, aware we're garnering spectators again.

He stands tall, shrugging casually as if my blood doesn't feel like it's on fire. "I'm increasing your status, remember?"

My nostrils flare as I shove my chair back in, my anger burning to the surface as I glare at him. "I'm going to say this once, and once only. Fuck you and fuck your status."

I shoulder past him, leaving my tray of food and friends at the table as I storm for the door. Eyes trail my every move, but I make sure to keep my shoulders back and head held high.

I sag a little when I step outside and the fresh air hits me. Checking the time, I realize there's no point trying to find somewhere to isolate myself since classes will start again soon, so I find a seat on an empty picnic table, avoiding everyone's gaze as they sit in their groups.

Bracing my elbows on the top, I close my eyes, feeling the sun beat down on me. I take a deep breath, followed swiftly by another, as I try to calm the storm raging inside me. My father's mantra of being calm and collected feels like utter bullshit right now. I can't hide what I'm feeling like he can. Everything always feels too real, too raw, too close to the surface.

Shadows fall over the back of my eyelids, ruining my moment, and when I blink them open, I find Kryll, Brody, and Raiden sitting across from me while Cassian sits to my left.

Fuck my life.

A tray is placed in front of me with more force than necessary, and it takes me a moment to realize it's my food. That's the only interaction they offer as they chat about nothing like I'm not here.

"Eat," Kryll states, pointing his fork at me after a while, but I'm still far too overwhelmed with how to handle the situation to even lift my fork. When I don't immediately dig in, three more pairs of eyes turn my way wearing deathly glares.

Indecision battles inside me as I consider my options. I can make a point of refusing to deal with their shit and storm off again, or I can at least eat my comfort food first. Deciding on the latter, I ignore the four of them as I eat.

Halfway through my plate, while I'm staring off at the cute planters that frame the outdoor space, an idea comes to mind. Planting my feet only on the ground beneath me, a slight grin plays at the corner of my mouth and I have to bite it back the best I can as I finish eating.

Satisfied, I push my tray away and stand.

"Sit the fuck down, Addi," Raiden grunts the second I do, but I quickly move to the side of the table, out of Cassian's reach, ignoring him.

"Sit down, or I come and get you," Cassian warns as I take a few steps away before turning back to them with my eyebrow raised.

Cassian's eyes narrow, challenging me to take one more step, so I do.

All four of them rush to stand and charge toward me but quickly fall back into their seats with a grunt. I watch in slow motion as they peer down at their feet to find vines have creeped from the ground and laced themselves around their boots.

I snicker, and Kryll is the first to glare at me again. "Oh, she thinks she's funny," he grumbles.

"It's a little impressive," Brody states, a smirk on his lips as he looks down at the ground.

It's not enough for me to lower my defenses, though. It won't hold them for long, but it'll give me a head start at least. "Later!" I holler, turning in a hurry, only to run straight into someone.

They catch me by the arms, straightening me, and I peer up to see Professor Fairbourne frowning down at me. There's tension in his eyes that's not usually there and my gut twists instantly, as if knowing it relates to me somehow.

"Is there a reason you're being summoned to my office, Addi?" he asks, releasing his hold on me as he glances over my shoulder at the guys filling the table I was just at.

"Wouldn't you be the one to know since it's your office?" I retort, confused about where this is going. When his eyes find mine again, a ball of dread settles in my stomach.

He sighs, dragging a hand down his face before he answers. "Not when it's the dean calling you in."

Well, fuck. That doesn't sound good. But staying out here with these guys doesn't sound much better.

Reluctant to see what comes next, I nod. "Lead the way to my impending doom," I say jokingly, and he shakes his head.

"It's not funny if that's what it actually is."