Page 150 of Kingmakers, Year Four

“What makes you think you’re going to see me again?” Sabrina says, tossing back her mane of dark hair.

“I AM going to see you again,” Adrik informs her. “I was simply offering you the courtesy of choosing the time and place.”

I can see the temptation to smile tugging at the corners of Sabrina’s full lips as she attempts to scowl instead.

“I’ll think about it,” she says.

“Not good enough,” Adrik retorts. “I’m picking you up on this dock on the last day of school. Wear something nice.”

“That would be a first for both of us,” Sabrina snorts, with a contemptuous look at Adrik’s torn jeans, t-shirt, and uncut hair.

She turns away from him, ready to board the boat, but Adrik can’t stand letting her have the last word. He seizes her arm, whips her around again, and aggressively kisses her.

Then he lets go and stalks off back to the car.

Sabrina is stunned to silence—perhaps for the first time in her life. She stands there for a moment with a slightly dazed expression, then follows Anna and Leo onto the boat.

“That good?” I ask her.

“He’s definitely . . . something,” Sabrina replies.

I can’t help grinning, thinking how nice it would be if Sabrina became a Petrov, too. Assuming her and Adrik don’t kill each other first.

The ride back to Visine Dvorca is much more pleasant, by virtue of not being handcuffed to the railing. On the other hand, without the distraction of kidnapping and romantic betrayal, navigating the treacherous currents around the island is stressful. The water is so rough that Hedeon gets sick over the side of the boat, and Rafe looks traumatized by the time we finally pull into the Chancellor’s private berth once more.

“I’m never fucking doing that again,” he says.

While the others intend to finish the school year, Rafe and I only returned so he could navigate the boat, and so I could pack everything in my dorm room. We plan to leave on the supply ship in a few days’ time.

Rafe is anxious to go back to America with his family. I don’t think any of them will feel this is over until they’re all back in their mansion on the sea cliffs of the Oregon coast.

I’m equal parts nervous and excited to join him there.

I haven’t spent much time in America.

But after all, I came to Kingmakers to meet new people and become more independent. Even though I stayed less than a year, I’d say I accomplished those goals more than I ever could have imagined.

And anyway, I meant what I said to Rafe: home is with him. I want to be wherever he is. Inside, outside, all over the world . . .

The long, limestone staircase back up to the Keep reminds me uncomfortably of the mine. I don’t know if I’ll ever enjoy being underground after that particular experience.

By contrast, the interior of the Keep feels deeply nostalgic, from the scent of the dusty carpets to the golden glow of the lamps in the wall-mounted sconces. I’m glad to be back, if only for a short time.

“Thank god we made it back for theQuartum Bellum,”Leo says.

“Oh Jesus,” Kade groans. “Don’t remind me.”

Anna asks, “What did Adrik say about you trying to beat his record?”

Leo grins. “He said he’d never forgive me if I win. But he won’t respect me if I lose.”

“That’s as close to a blessing as you’re gonna get from him,” Kade laughs.

“If you hadn’t pulled Leo out of the water, it would have been down to Kade and me,” Sabrina says to Dean, sourly.

“Well, I sort of owed it to him,” Dean says.

Leo gives Dean a fist bump. “We’re even. ‘Til the next time I need your help.”

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