Page 105 of The Reign of Blood

More than that, I’m annoyed with myself for giving him the ability to wield such a threat over my head. Fucker. “Whatever,” I grumble, rushing to Flora’s side.

I link my arm through hers, the move feeling strange since it’s usually the other way around, but she takes the hint and starts marching through the dining room. The chuckles that bubble from her throat make me give her the stink eye, but that only makes her laugh more, and she thankfully ups her pace.

Cutting through the grounds, I’m on edge, waiting for someone, Vallie specifically, to appear out of nowhere, jabbing her finger at me and causing more drama since Raiden hasn’t been shy around me, but she’s nowhere to be seen.

Something is coming from her, though. I know it. If what he said was true, if he’s really backing out of their deal, she’s going to have her sights set on me even more than before.

“Come in. Hurry. We’re taking a little field trip, and the quicker you all gather, the quicker we can get there,” the professor calls out from the door to his classroom, waving everyone inside.

“Field trip? Yes, please,” Arlo says, rubbing his hands together as he slips into the room ahead of us. Flora rolls hereyes at him, but there’s still something in her gaze that hasn’t shifted since I first saw it.

Friday can’t come soon enough, and hopefully she will be comfortable enough to confide in me, and I can pretend to have my shit together enough to be of help to her.

Filing into the room, no one takes their seats since we’re not staying. Raiden, Brody, Kryll, and Cassian are right behind us. Smoldering gazes turn to irritated glares as I glance between them before turning my attention to the professor.

“We’re going to spend the afternoon where you all really want to be. Can anyone tell me where that is?”

“The beach?” Grant hollers, high-fiving his friends, who chuckle at him.

“Nice try, but no,” the professor replies with a sigh. “Anyone else?”

“The castle,” I breathe, chest tightening at the thought as the professor nods in agreement.

“Exactly. Now, pair up. Don’t make me do it for you,” he grumbles, adjusting the glasses on the bridge of his nose.

Arlo instantly drapes an arm around Flora, tugging her into his side, leaving me to stare at the three guys looking at me.

Brody. Raiden. Kryll.

I twist my lips, my pulse quickening as I take in their intense looks, but before I can think better of it, I sidestep them all and brush my shoulder against Cassian.

“You’re being my partner,” I declare, not actually looking at him, and I feel his stare on the side of my face.

“I am?”

“You are,” I repeat, not backing down. The fact that he doesn’t immediately shove me away feels positive.

“Do I want to know why?” he asks, and I shake my head. “Amuse me,” he pushes, and I know he won’t relent until I do, so I give in quicker than I would like in order to get it over with.

“You’re the only one that’s going to give me a minute to breathe.” I can feel my blood pressure rise, my face tingling with the sensation as he scoffs.

“Please, girls love the attention.”

“Girls also like it when you’re not a complete asshole one hundred percent of the time, but what would I know?” I retort, finally turning to him with my eyebrow raised in question.

He offers me a pointed look in return. “I thought you came here for peace?”

“Then shut the fuck up,” I grumble, turning back to the professor.

“Okay, if we’re all ready… perfect. We won’t be using magic to transport us this afternoon. We have legs, and there’s no reason we can’t use them,” he explains. “Besides, I feel you get the true effect of Floodborn Castle when you approach it from the City of Harrows on foot,” he adds, his eyes glazing over with a wistful gleam.

Surprisingly, no one argues as we follow him out onto campus and toward the main gates. I chance a glance over my shoulder to see Brody and Kryll have paired up, leaving Raiden to be with… fucking Vallie.

I watch as she tries to grab his arm and he swiftly moves it out of her reach, making her pout, but he doesn’t see it; his sights are set on me. He gives me a dark, pointed look as if to confirm that it’s my fault he’s having to deal with her, and I quickly turn back around, refusing to acknowledge any more drama from him today.

We take our time leaving the campus and entering the City of Harrows. Passersby stop and stare at us, the colors of our cloaks making us stand out, and the murmurs of the Heir Academy students being among them ripple through the city like an undercurrent.

Once we reach the other side of the city, a long, windy path comes into view and my steps falter. The professor was right. The view of the castle as we take the sloped path is breathtaking and completely overwhelming all at once.

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