37. Addi

THIRTY-SEVEN

Ahectic morning dwindles into a somewhat mundane day as each lesson that succeeds Dean Bozzelli's declaration begins to blur together. The hype she was trying to build doesn't seem to be matched with any action taken. Maybe when we have our next combat class the training will ramp up, reflecting what she promised.

I smile my goodbye to Flora as I step into my bedroom and kick the door shut behind me. Dramatically unclipping my cloak and letting it form a puddle on the floor, I flop down on my bed with a sigh.

The lessons may have been average, but they were still mentally taxing. Or was that the constant presence of the guys now haunting my every move?

Wiping a hand down my face, I close my eyes as Brody's words from this morning play in my mind. "You would rather go up against us instead?"

I don't know the right answer to that question. I think that's what's irritating me the most.

Are they my friends or enemies? I have to take fucking them out of the equation to really consider it, but no matter how much I try to fight it, when I look in their direction, all I can feel is the memory of their touch along my skin.

Shaking my head, I refocus my thoughts and consider each of them on an individual basis.

Raiden is an asshole and he's never pretended to be otherwise, but in this instance, it doesn't work in his favor. His ridiculing comments about my being a fae ring in my ears. The fact that he's a vampire should also be a negative, but that would only lower me to his standards for disregarding me for being fae-born, so I keep that off my mental list. It's his fault I have Vallie to deal with, and he doesn't seem to care about the drama he brings my way, so he has to be an enemy, right?

Cassian's bullshit runs just as deep as his. I was forced into a damn duel because of him, and his lack of desire to get me out of it puts him in the same category. Now his new demands that require me to sit with him in the dining room get under my skin, too. It's another ploy to keep other women at bay. He's using me as a shield against the women who want him, so they're not an actual distraction for him. Ass. Definitely on my enemy list.

Brody is…Brody. He hasn't really been an ass, but he's associated with them, and that has to count for something. I guess he would be considered more of a friend than an enemy, but the use of the word friend should be taken with a grain of salt. There always seems to be an undertone with him that I can't quite put my finger on.

Kryll, the last of the pains in my side, is an enigma. I wonder if anyone has ever had a glimpse of what's under the mask he puts on for everyone. He's always calm and collected. My father would be impressed, but to hold that level of patience and attention is surely exhausting. I guess he's more friend than foe, too, but he's too impassive to make a clear judgment.

I've got my hands full in more ways than one.

A vibration echoes from my nightstand, making me roll toward it with a sigh. Pulling my cell phone from the top drawer, it's no longer a surprise to see Nora's name flashing across the screen. Really, who else is going to be calling me? Nobody else apart from my father has my number.

I accept the call, smiling as soon as I bring it to my ear and hear her voice.

"How's my favorite sister doing?"

"I'm your only sister," I retort, making her scoff.

"I can still find a way to knock you from the top spot if necessary," she challenges, and I roll my eyes.

"You wouldn't." I roll to my back on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

"So, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay." I pull at a loose thread on my t-shirt, acutely aware of the lie that falls from my lips.

"Are you sure? It was announced today that Heir Academy's battles will be held in three months, and it's going to be televised."

My body stills at the new revelation as I sigh.

Of course it is.

"That's what I'm here for, Nora. Participating in the battles isn't a concern. It's what I've been preparing for," I reply. It's the truth, and I'm truly not worried, but I know she will still be concerned for me.

"I know that. I've watched you train all my life, but that doesn't mean the anticipation doesn't get to you. It's okay to be a little bit like the rest of us mere mortals and have feelings, Addi."

"Hmm, maybe," I mutter, not wanting to get deeper into the subject with her. Embracing my feelings goes against literally everything my father spent all that time teaching me, but she doesn't know that because I ensured she was taught the complete opposite.

"Something sounds different with you."

My eyes widen as if she can see me and I shake my head like it makes a difference.

"There's nothing different with me," I defend, but the slight lilt to my voice gives me away and I know it.

"Bullshit."

"Nora—"

"I'm switching to a video call," she interjects, and I pinch the bridge of my nose to try and calm the growing fluster that tries to take over me.

"Nora, there's no need for?—"

A notification makes my cell phone vibrate, and I don't need to look to see that it's for a video call.

"Either switch to the video, or I'll head toward the academy," she warns, making my blood run cold.

"You will not. It's not safe," I bark, rushing to a sitting position at the edge of my bed. My brain is already calculating the easiest and fastest route home from here.

"Then take the call."

I sigh but relent, as she knew I would, clicking the button to switch over. A moment later, her face appears on my screen.

She smiles at me with the sweetest expression in her arsenal. Her heart-shaped face, big blue eyes, and rosy pink cheeks gleam at me, and it warms my heart, making me forget anything and everything that weighs me down.

"Ah, it's a boy," she assesses with a wink, making me scoff.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I grumble, unable to look at the cell phone as I lie.

"It's amusing to me that you don't think I know these things. The glint in your eyes reminds me of when you used to go and see that guy in the village. Josh?"

My nose scrunches in distaste. "He was an ass."

"Yet you still continued to let him put his peen in your?—"

"Ew, that's enough, Nora."

She chuckles, loving the way she gets under my skin so effortlessly. "What? Don't worry, Dad's not here."

"Where is he?" I question, rising to my feet as I start to pace back and forth at the side of my bed. "You shouldn't be alone."

"Fuck off, Addi," she mumbles, narrowing her eyes at me through the phone.

"Did you just cuss me out again? That's twice in a short span of time."

She rolls her eyes at me as she purses her lips. "I'm nineteen, not nine. Do we need to recall what you were doing at nineteen, or have we covered it enough with the mention of Josh?" She cocks her brow at me, all sure of herself, leaving me with no choice but to concede again.

"Fine, but you really do need to prioritize your safety. Dad knows that," I point out, and she smiles.

"I know, and so does he, but he needed to restock groceries. He won't be long. And now you're deflecting instead of talking about the boy causing that shimmer in your eyes."

Of course she would find a way to turn the conversation back to me. "There's no one to talk about." Technically, there's more than one, so I'm more omitting than lying, but she still sees right through me.

"Are we keeping secrets now? I'm lonely without you, Addi. You have to entertain me in some way." She flutters her eyelashes and sticks out her bottom lip, knowing full well that I can't say no to her. I don't think I've ever found someone who can.

"Why do you always make me soft on you?" I grumble, and she beams, knowing she has me in the palm of her hand.

"Because you love me."

"Hmm, I'm reconsidering."

"Of course you are," she says with a roll of her eyes as I try to find the words to explain.

"The fae guys here are pretty quiet, or maybe that's just in comparison to the other origins," I explain, getting comfortable against my headboard.

"So it's not a fae." How do I even articulate that I have my hands full with two guys, neither of which are fae? "Is he dreamy, at least?" she asks when I don't respond right away, and I scoff.

"No, dreamy would hint that they're nice."

"They?"

"Hmm?" I frown at her in confusion as she gapes through the cell phone at me before her mouth spreads into a huge smile.

"You're so cool, Addi. It's clear that the new world changes are starting to take shape."

My frown deepens. "What does that mean?"

She shrugs. "I just mean the whole creating partnerships between one woman and multiple men."

"You knew that?" Did everyone but me know this?

"While you're outside practicing until all hours, I like to know what's going on in the world outside of the ranch," she retorts, a smug grin tipping her lips further.

"Of course you do." She always likes to remind me that she's far smarter than I give her credit for.

"When you become the heir, I'll be your top confidant. I'll keep you in the loop on all things, don't worry," she promises, and my heart lurches as I quirk a brow at her.

"Do you really think I'm going to let you show your face to the world and make you a target simply because you're at my side?"

"You're just begging for me to rebel. You know that, right?"

"You wouldn't."

"I feel like I could rise to this challenge," she insists, making my chest ache. I know I'm overprotective, but with good reason. Our history is painful. She's suffered enough and I want to shield her from the rest of it. I know I shouldn't, and deep down, I know I can't forever, but I'm just not ready to admit that to myself yet.

She's so strong-spirited, despite everything we've been through. It only illuminates how much love I have for her.

"I love you, Nora," I breathe, letting my heartfelt emotions rise to the surface, if only for a minute.

"I love you too." A knock at my door startles me, and the knowing look in her eyes that I have to go tightens my chest. "Is that one of them?"

"I hope not," I retort, and she chuckles.

"Have fun and make sure you use protection," she sings before ending the call, leaving me to gape at a blank screen.

Protection.

Last night, with Cassian, did he…?

Fuck. I don't recall any mess, but that guy"s dick is huge so it could still be lodged all the way up there. I don't fucking know.

Another knock echoes from my door, pulling me from my thoughts. Placing my cell phone in the drawer, I place my palm against the door for a brief moment before I swing it open to find Kryll standing before me.

His auburn hair looks darker without the natural light glowing down on him, and it only deepens the black markings that cover his skin. In black jeans and a quarter button-up, he looks as sinful as ever. It's a shame he's half-hidden by his origin-assigned cloak too.

"What can I do for you, Kryll?" I ask when he doesn't immediately speak.

He takes his time, letting his gaze travel up my body before he meets my gaze and shrugs. "You can come to dinner."

There's no please, no question, no option. Nothing but a demand.

Fuck that, and fuck him.

"I'm good, but thanks," I blurt with a sickly sweet smile before slamming the door shut in his face. Friend or foe, I'm not dealing with that mess tonight.