Page 27 of Oleander
“I’m here to pick up my class schedule.”
She still doesn’t look at me, just clicks a few buttons on the computer. “Name?”
“Oleander Sauveterre,” I say casually, as if I’m not heir to the kingdom we live in.
Ember’s golden eyes dart up, blazing bright for a brief second before smoldering out. “My apologies, Your Highness,” she says, only slightly changing the tone of her voice.
I clear my throat, feeling mildly uncomfortable. “Please don’t call me that. Oleander or Ander will do just fine.”
Her dark red lips slowly smile, revealing bright white teeth. “Sure thing,Prince.”
I ignore her attitude, finding it slightly refreshing, and wait as she clicks around on the computer. “Be careful with your roommate,” she warns as the printer whirs to life and my class list starts to print out.
I don’t know why I engage her, but I do. “I think you should mind your own business and not stick your nose in mine.”
Scratch that first thought.I don’t like her.
Her eyes glow again as she narrows them at me, jutting the small piece of parchment out and returning to her bored monotone. “All intro classes were full, so the headmaster had to place our twolatearrivals in a private session together. For your Elemental Magic course, you’ll be studyingtogether. Maybe don’t kill the human, though, hmm?” Ember goads, but I’m good at ignoring people, so I turn and leave without another word.
To add insult to injury, I run into Zephyr on the way back to my suite.
“Is that your schedule?” he asks, nodding to the paper in my hand.
“Uh. Yeah.”
Zephyr holds a palm out, and I automatically place my schedule in his hand.
His eyes scan the sheet rapidly. “You’re in Advanced Elemental History with Hawk and me. And I think you have Basic Combat with Leo. He didn’t get a chance to take it last year. Classes fill up quickly. If you miss out, you’re left behind. Well, unless you’re aprince, I suppose.”
His words prickle against my skin, irritating me exactly the way he wanted to. But Leo was always the nicest of my three former friends. Sensitive and sweet. So, maybe he won’t be an asshole like Zephyr and Hawk.
I snatch my schedule from Zephyr’s hand before spinning on my heel and rushing for the private elevator. I’m done with assholes for the day.
When I get back to the suite, I find Skyler setting up a human game system in our living room. “Dude, I can’t believe the Fae playCall of Duty!” he shouts in all seriousness and quite adorably, too. My mother had our suite fully furnished, which benefits my roommate as well.
The irritation over my afternoon melts away as his genuine aura fills our space with warmth and positivity. Withstrength.
He sets the controller down and walks over to me. “Did you get your schedule?”
I nod, taking my gloves off and slipping the folded piece of paper out of my pocket. “Apparently, the Elemental Magic courses were full, so we were placed in a private session.Together.”
I hand over the small paper, my magic dormant at the moment, and Skyler’s fingers graze my own without any spark. He scans my class list quickly. “We also have Basic Combat together. Sweet.”
He can see the uncertainty in my gaze. I’m not looking forward to being so exposed and around so many other Fae. Fae who know about my past and may even blame me for River’s disappearance.
And it’s as if he can read my mind and understand my emotions when he speaks his next words. “We’re outsiders, you and I, and that’s fine with me. We’ll stick together.” Skyler holds his hand out, and I grasp it, small currents of electricity dancing across my skin and tickling me. My smile blooms, and a blanket of warmth cloaks me.I think I might believe him.
CHAPTER NINE
SKYLER
“Professor Chastain, I thought this was an introductory class?” I gasp out, wiping the sweat from my brow. I’m hunched over, trying to catch my breath after expelling so much energy.
“Again!” our new Elemental Magic tutor shouts in a burly voice. “Give me all ye got, Skyler!”
“I already did! I’m going to pass out if I try any harder.” I’m whining, but this is all brand new to me, and I need some fucking water.
“Three hundred years.Three hundred yearsI’ve been livin’, and I’ve never seen a half-human Fae. Yer a marvelous creature, Skyler Fairfield, but I won’t cut ye any slack. Now, zap the target.Again!”
