Page 64 of The Kingdom of Ruin

ADDI

My irritation hasn’t flagged nearly enough as I step into my next class, and I find myself wrapping my gray cloak around my body as an extra shield to protect me from the assholes I can’t seem to escape.

I find Flora first, concern shimmering in her eyes, and try to offer her a reassuring smile before I take my seat. The professor pays me no mind, despite the fact that I’m later than everyone else, but I take that as a good sign. I have to find positives somewhere in all of this. It’s most probably because I’m fae or something, but I don’t care. Another lecture isn’t needed at this time.

Settling between Brody and Kryll, I keep my gaze set forward, only to earn a scathing glare from Raiden as he peers over his shoulder at me. It’s just like the face he made outside when he realized I had used my magic to wrap the vines around his boots, holding him in place. I smirk at the memory, which only makes him frown further.

“You know I could have helped you if you hadn’t used your magic on me,” Brody says under his breath, and I turn to look at him, eyebrow raised in confusion.

“How so?” I ask, intrigued enough to forget that I’m supposed to hate and ignore him at all costs.

“I could have come up with an excuse to get you out of the meeting.”

“Why would I need to get out of the meeting?” He’s bullshitting me. I know it.

“Nobody wants a meeting with the dean. Ever.”

He’s right there, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“It wasn’t that dramatic, but thanks,” I offer, turning back to the professor as he addresses the class, but his words aren’t registering in my head.

“I forgive you,” Brody whispers, and I rear back, blinking at him in wonder.

“What do I need to be forgiven for?”

“The vines. You’re an earth fae, remember?”

Earth fae? Apparently so. “Oh, I don’t need forgiveness. You deserved that,” I reply with a smile, turning away again, hoping this time I’ll be able to ignore him. As if hearing my thoughts, his knee presses against mine.

Fucker.

“How so?” he presses, leaning in closer just as the professor claps his hands.

“Today, we’re going to be delving into the realm of kingdom etiquette,” he announces, earning an echo of groans from around the room.

“Why do we need to know this?” Everyone turns to look at the source of the question, and I’m surprised to find it’s a fae. I vaguely recognize his face, but I haven’t had any interaction with him at all. He smirks at everyone’s attention, and when his eyes find mine, he winks.

No thanks. I’ve got enough to handle. I don’t need another.

The professor clears his throat. “Because one day, someone in this academy will be our new heir, surrounded by a network of support from within these very halls.”

“Don’t you think it’s pointless to step backward and reaffirm traditions that didn’t work so well for us to begin with?” The guy pushes, and I can’t decide if I agree with him. The question is valid, but his tone sets it all off wrong, and I don’t know why.

“This class is going to happen whether you take part or not. What will it be?” The professor retorts, leaving me slightly impressed as I turn to the guy in question, who silently lifts his hands in surrender.

A beat passes as everyone returns their attention to the professor, who shakes off his blazer and smiles. “One of the many traditions the kingdom still observes today is the hosting of celebratory balls.” I’m pretty sure every guy in the room—bar the professor—groans in distaste, making him smirk. “Calm your excitement. There’s a lot to get through, and you’re going to reach your peak way too soon.”

“This guy actually has jokes,” Brody states, leaning against my arm, but I ignore him.

“The summer solstice and the winter solstice were the two most important events of the year, but there are several other lesser events sprinkled throughout the calendar that make these balls a regular occurrence. Almost monthly,” the professor explains as a projection appears before him. It’s a ballroom filled with elaborate decor and well-dressed people. “The heir would take their seat at the center of the long table, their loved one to their right, and their close confidants filling the remainder of the space. A feast is served, origins mingling among the crowd as live music plays.”

“He seems to be enjoying the thought,” Brody states, a little louder than I think he intended based on the look on his face when the professor turns to him a moment later.

“I am, they were a thing of wonder.”

“You went to them?” I blurt in surprise, and his smile grows.

“I organized them. That’s why this is my favorite subject to teach,” he explains, a wistfulness dancing over his eyes.

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