Page 81 of The Kingdom of Ruin

I know in my gut they’re strong; their presence seems highly regarded, too. I’m in no position to confirm or deny right now, though, so I turn to the front where the professor now stands, the projection gone.

The usual saying is to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but I don’t really know what they are or where I want them. Yet the words hold weight in my gut.

Swiping a hand down my face, I relax in my seat.

I guess I’m facing more than one battle here at the academy.

THIRTY-SEVEN

ADDI

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.

---