Page 20 of Falling Princess

Cata winked. “You’ll find out, with time.”

“Why can’t anyone give me a straight answer?” I complained. My friend’s expression turned carefully neutral.

“I’ll answer any questions you have about him when we’re alone.”

“That’s never going to happen.” I jerked my head toward my constant shadow. “He never lets me out of his sight.”

“That bad, huh?”

“You have no idea.”

My friend turned contemplative. “You wanted another heating pad, right? For the seedlings?”

I silently added one to my cart. Small pots, too. The one thing I don’t purchase is a plant. At the checkout, I looked around guiltily as though someone was about to arrest me for having contraband seeds, which is how invasive species can get introduced. I can’t exactly claim to care about the environment while growing illegal plants in my dormitory, but I didn’t want to put my cultivation experiments on hold for an entire year.

I wasn’t imagining the curious glances, either. I don’t blend in any better here than I did in Beijing. My skin is too dark, my hair too bright, my features a touch too non-European to pass for a local. Cata can, even with her distinctive mane, and Lorcan somehow blends in no matter where he goes, but me? I’m always a square peg in a round hole.

Glancing up, I caught him watching me. Again. I suppressed a scowl and turned to ask my friend, “Are you staying for dinner and movie night?”

“Me? In a dormitory? I don’t think so.” She chuckled, then asked, “Who’s going to be there?”

“Everyone except Kenton.”

“Hot date?”

“Two, I believe. Lacey, can’t remember her last name, and her roommate, Becca.”

Cata grinned. “Flyboy can get it, I see.”

“Get what?” How is Kenton a flyboy? Did she meanfuckboy, and if so, how does she know that word?I’mnot supposed to know that word. The way I’m constantly kept in the dark is driving me insane.

But it’s another story that must be put off, for I was distracted by the necessity of paying for my dirt and pots. Cata’s phone pinged the instant my purchase was complete. Lorcan solicitously placed my purchases in the boot of her vehicle, a compact sedan in a dark color. Back at the dormitory, I carried the lightest package up to the suite, leaving Cata and Lorcan to manage the rest.

A dark-haired young man greeted us in the elevator, eyeing me curiously before offering a cautious smile. “Hullo.”

“Hello.” I smiled back. I can see from his reflection in the polished silver of the opposite wall that my protector does not. His eyes flicked from my face to the stranger’s, narrowing slightly.

Oh, for pity’s sake. I can’t even be polite to the neighbors?

“Who is he?” Cata asks me after the stranger exited.

“No idea. Another student, I assume. This is, after all, a university.”

Three weeks into the term and I haven’t had any chance to make friends, nor am I likely to, at this rate. Every interaction has gone like the one with the boy in the elevator—a perfunctory exchange of greetings, a flash of curiosity. Then Lorcan gives side-eye from behind me, and they back slowly away, ignoring my small efforts to try again when next we meet.

I want to strangle him.

We deposited my purchases on the unused dorm bed in my study, which is covered in throw pillows for use as a couch. I like to do my class readings here. Tonight, however, I am supposed to assist in the kitchen. I was surprised when Cata agreed to stay for a bit, even pitching in to help with dinner so I didn’t have to spend time working in close quarters alongside my detested knight.

“Can’t resist Lorcan’s cooking,” she grinned, ruffling his hair. To my astonishment, he smiled and ducked his chin. A faint pink touched his cheeks. It’s almost charming.

I turned away. It’s easy for me to forget that they’re friends, since I was unaware of the connection until recently. I’m trying not to be miffed that Cata kept that secret from me for so long, but honestly, I am a bit hurt.

“What’s eating you, Princess?” Kenton asked, popping the collar on his jacket and heading out for the evening.

“Nothing. If you don’t need me, I’ll go and set up my plants.”

I tried to read in my study while the others laughed and chatted over making supper, feeling more alone than ever. Not only does he make it impossible for me to make new friends, the few I do have seem to prefer Lorcan of Tenáho’s company to mine.

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