Page 81 of Dragon Unleashed

And my allegiance cares.

I should speak to Farrell. If anyone has influence here, it’s him.

“Enter,” Farrell calls through his door.

I slip inside, resting my back on the wood. I have to ask. It won’t cost me anything to ask. Not really.

“Lorelei, what are you doing here? Are you okay?” In three quick strides he’s looming over me.

“I’m…fine.”

He frowns, turning away and gesturing for me to follow. He leans against the wall in his living room, looking me up and down.

“Really, Farrell. The rest of the bandages will be off in a few days. I came to say thanks. I know you helped get me out of that exam.”

His nostrils flare and he looks physically pained. “It should never have happened,” he growls. A warmth spreads through my chest. He’s angry for me.

“Still, thanks.”

I give him a quick hug. His breath catches and for a few seconds he doesn’t take another. His heart hammers against my ear. Quickly I push myself back.Hellfire, I’m starved of touch. That felt too good.

“I wanted to ask you something, Farrell. I’m not sure if it’s too far gone between us but—”

“You’ve changed your mind about us?” he interrupts. “You’ll consider our engagement?”

“What? No, Farrell. That conversation is over.” I step back. “I wanted to ask for your help. If I get chucked out of the academy, I won’t ascend. Do you have enough influence to stop them, to help me avoid expulsion?”

Farrell looks like I just slapped him. “So, you won’t agree to be mine.”

“We talked about this. You can’t own me!”

“If you haven’t changed your mind, then perhaps it’s better you don’t ascend.” His words are cold, formal, and his expression is closed off.

I blink. He can’t mean that. He can’t waltz into my exam and save me from a psychopath and then really, truly mean that.

“What the hell? Better for who exactly?”

“Better for you, and for me.”

And there’s the truth.

“I’m a contender for your throne, that’s it, isn’t it? But if I don’t ascend, if I can’t reach my full potential, then I’m no match, huh? The rebellion would follow you over me.”

I clench my jaw and the thin skin there stretches, threatening to tear. My chest aches.

I crash my way out of his quarters, blinking back angry, stupid tears. I should know better by now than to be hurt by what he says.

I pause in the corridor halfway back to my dorm, my lungs heaving. I can’t let him win. Naeve was right, and just because Farrell is a lost cause doesn’t mean I give up. I’ve got this. I march the rest of the way to my room feeling more determined, more hopeful, than I have since the stupid exams.

Hours later and the dorm room door creaks open. I glance up from the ledger propped open on my lap. Naeve stands in the doorway, fussing with the sleeve of her vibrant green ballgown. Zephyr’s at her side in his melt-your-panties kilt, while Hewie and Val look over their shoulders.

“We’re here to help,” Zephyr announces, throwing himself onto my bed with a dramatic flounce. “Ball was boring anyway. Far more fun last year when you were there to kiss me.” He waggles his eyebrows and grabs one of the books from my stack.

Val squeezes herself in next to me, and Hewie perches on my desk.

“You should be enjoying yourselves,” I protest.

Naeve scoffs and starts to unpack a bag, shoving Hewie out of the way as she pulls out cinnamon rolls, sugar cookies, and a flask. With a flourish she opens the lid and pours steaming mulled wine into small plastic tumblers.

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