Page 158 of Kingmakers, Year One

“If you folded your clothes, they’d fit better,” Zoe says to Chay from her perch on the end of my bed. She’s watching us pack, having already filled her suitcase and spotlessly cleaned her tiny room.

“You could fold them for me . . .” Chay bats her eyelashes at Zoe.

Zoe gives her a stern look, but stands up from the bed to come over and help.

“Thank you, love,” Chay says, putting her arm around Zoe’s waist and laying her head on her shoulder.

Zoe sighs, her expression unhappy. Unlike Chay and me, there’s no anticipation for Zoe in the journey home.

“You should come visit me in Berlin,” Chay says, sympathetically. “Come see me over the summer.”

“I don’t know if my parents will allow that,” Zoe sighs. “I expect they’ll want to spend the full three months pressuring me to drop out of school and marry Rocco sooner.”

I say, “You’re not going to do that, are you?”

“Absolutely not.” Zoe shakes her head. “No matter what they say.”

It’s not what they’ll say that I’m worried about . . . it’s what they might do.

“Come on,” Chay coaxes. “I bet Anna will come visit me too.”

“Sure,” I nod. “Leo would love that trip.”

“If you’re gonna bring Leo, you better bring a hot guy for me,” Chay smiles mischievously. “What about that cousin of yours . . . you think Miles would fancy a trip to Germany?”

Zoe gives a haughty sniff.

“What?” I laugh. “You don’t like Miles?”

“Not particularly,” Zoe says.

“Why not?”

“No offense, but I find him arrogant and reckless. I can’t understand anyone who gets into trouble deliberately. He thinks everything’s a game, like there’s no real consequences.”

“I’m not offended,” I shrug. “That’s accurate.”

“He’s funny, though,” Chay counters. “And pretty fucking sexy.”

Zoe shakes her head silently, not impressed by those particular qualities.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind giving him a try.” Chay says. “Before he gets himself expelled.”

“I’ll put in a good word for you,” I tell Chay. “No promises, though. Miles listens to me about as much as he listens to anyone else. Which is zero.”

“No worries.” Chay shrugs. “I’ve got a few options at home waiting for me.” She grins, picturing these friends with benefits that she hasn’t fucked in almost a year. “It’s like a cute dress you forgot about way in the back of your closet… good as new again.”

I laugh. “I’m excited for you.”

I finish packing my own suitcase—not as neatly as Zoe, but with more room to spare than Chay.

That done, I haul it downstairs so I can leave it with the wagons that have pulled into the bailey, ready to carry both us and our luggage back down to the harbor.

As I throw my suitcase onto the pile of waiting bags, I hear a heavy thud right next to me. I turn to find Dean dropping off his own bag.

We haven’t spoken since the night he fought with Leo. And I haven’t seen him since the day of the final challenge.

We straighten up slowly, staring at each other. I can feel my blood rushing with pure, unadulterated fury.

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