Page 32 of Oleander
Skyler shrugs. “I mean, a little. But you’ve been through some shit, so who can blame you? And if they don’t want to be your friend, it’s their loss.” He holds his fist out across the table, waiting for me. “Outsiders stick together.”
“Together,” I repeat, bumping our fists. “I don’t know what to expect from Leo, so I thought I should warn you. Zephyr and Hawk have proven to be assholes, so I won’t hold my breath for a positive outcome.”
“I’m not scared, and I won’t let him hurt you.” Skyler holds his hand up, electricity dancing between his fingers. “I’ve got my own power now.”
My smile is hesitant, and I lower my gaze. Skyler doesn’t miss a beat.
“Seriously. I’ll defend your honor if I need to.”
A laugh escapes my lips unbidden, and I’m rewarded with Skyler’s beaming smile. The one that makes the little dimple pop out. “As much as I appreciate the fact that you're willing to defend my honor, noble gentleman, there’s no magic allowed in Combat Class.”
“Okay. I’ll kick his ass if I need to, no big deal. I was a wrestler in high school. And you're good with swords, right? I mean, you’re a prince. You have to be.” Skyler stares at me expectantly, and I hate to reinforce the human-given stereotype, but yes, I have many swords that I’ve trained with since I was a smallchild, so I nod. “I knew it! So, it’s set.” He continues, “We’re covered in all areas if Leo decides to be a dick.”
The next morning arrives quicker than I want it to. I’m not looking forward to Combat Class or having to see Leo. I dress in long sleeves, pants, and gloves—all-black athletic gear. When I step out of my bedroom, ready to grab an apple and leave, I find Skyler sitting at our table with the most unhealthy breakfast I’ve ever seen.
He’s devouring a bowl of the sugariest Fae cereal and even added brightly colored marshmallows to the bowl. The bag is on the table next to him, half empty. The milk carton as well.
“Did you eat all that?” I ask in astonishment and revulsion. I’m quite honestly a little shocked.
“I really fucking missed Lucky Charms, so I made my own. A few times,” Skyler mumbles around a mouthful of his sugary creation, pink milk dribbling down his chin. “By the way, are leprechauns real?”
“Yes. And I can assure you there’s nothing lucky about them. They’re greedy, thieving, gold-stealing bastards.”
Skyler snorts. “Bad experience?” he asks cheekily, raising a brow before shoveling another scoop of soggy cereal into his mouth.
“They’re almost as untrustworthy as garden gnomes.”
“What?! Gnomes exist?” he shrieks in excitement. “How big are they? Do they talk? What else is out there?”
“Of course they talk,” I chuckle, thoroughly charmed by his endearingly curious questions.
“I’m gonna need a list of what’s real and what’s not, please.Damn.This shit is just too crazy when I stop and really think about it.” Skyler stares at the kitchen table, spacing out for a beat, before flicking his gaze back to mine. “Okay. I got one more.”
I wait patiently for his next question, and the sparkle in his eyes tells me he’s excited by this one.
“Dragons?”
“If your thirst for knowledge is this strong, I believe there are a couple of first-year zoology courses you may be able to sign up for next semester.” I don’t want to frighten him by telling him that nearly every fairy tale, myth, or legend he’s ever read about in the Mortal Realm is most likely real, or at least based upon a real creature in the Otherworld.
“You avoided the question.” He calls me out, and I guess I can’t avoid answering.
I sigh, “Yes.”
“Do they talk?”
“No. But they’re highly intelligent and loyal animals with immense power.”
“Fly?” His eyes are alight with a childlike wonder.
I nod, watching his smile grow larger, if that’s even possible.
“Sick.I’m adding that to my bucket list.”
“Adding what?” I ask, afraid that I already know the answer.
“Riding a dragon.”
“Skyler. You cannot simplyridea dragon. You have to bond with one first. Tame it and train it. It’s a long, complicated, and dangerous process.”
