Page 41 of Oleander
She answers with a kind and hopeful smile on her face. “For you, son, Advanced Rune Activation. I’m impressed you were able to successfully activate your rune and open the portal on your first try.”
The tight set of his jaw is the only indication that Ander disagrees with his mother’s decision to place him in another class.
“As for you, Skyler Fairfield,” the headmaster says next. “Before I decide your fate, I need you to answer one question.Honestly.I am aware of your uniquely human trait to lie.”
I nod, my anxiety picking up at the thought of what he’s going to ask me and the fact that he knows I can lie.
“Have you ever been to your mother’s house in St. Louis?Before today.”
I pause, unsure if I should tell him the truth and also unsure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Fuck!
Sweat breaks out on my brow, and I can’t even wipe it when my hands are cuffed behind my back. My heart rate kicks up, and the anxiety threatens to send me into a panic attack.
I need my hands.
“Can I get these handcuffs off first?” I try to bargain with him.
The headmaster sighs, seeing the wildness in my eyes and releases the cuffs with a flick of his finger. The metal falls to the stone floor, clanging loudly.
“Now, answer the question, child,” Goulding insists.
I rub my sore wrists and use my arm to wipe the sweat from my forehead. I glance at Oleander, concerned about what he’ll think of me.
“No,” I answer, maintaining eye contact with the prince. I hear a few gasps around the room, but Oleander doesn’t react. We continue to stand here, staring at each other in our own little world.Two outsiders.
I didn’t realize how much relief I’d feel being back here with him, no matter what my punishment will be. I’m not sure I ever really wanted to go home in the first place. It was more like an obligation I felt to my mom and a feeling of not belonging in this foreign world where no one cared about me. But I think I might have been wrong.
“Mr. Fairfield, do you realize such things are unheard of? There is great power running through your veins. You’re certain you don’t know anything about your birth father? Anything your mother might have told you? Even if you think it’s inconsequential. It may help.”
My hackles rise. I’m instantly on edge like I used to be whenever anyone asked me about my father. I’ve been teased since I was a child and called a bastard as a teenager. The urge to reach under my shirt and grasp my lucky pendant is strong, but I refrain, feeling like I need to hide it from everyone in the room. It’s the only thing I have from him.
I shake my head no, but I’m sure the headmaster doesn’t believe it. Lucky for me, he respects boundaries. Somewhat.
“Very well. I will see what I can find out based on your age and birth location in the Mortal Realm. As for your punishment. . . You will have a one-on-one intensive training session with me every Wednesday morning at seven, here in my office. And I expect you to pick up coffee and bagels along the way. Black, two sugars.” He sits back down, waving a hand in our direction. “You’re all dismissed. Queen Hyacinth and I have important matters to discuss.”
They take their seats in the comfortable-looking wingback chairs in front of the fire as Ander and I slip out of the room, Onyx and Birch hot on our heels.
I spin around, poking a finger into Onyx’s hard chest.
“Watch yourself, human,” Birch growls.
Onyx holds out a hand to halt his lieutenant.
“Where do you get off kidnapping metwice? It’s completely fucked up and dishonorable.”
“And if you keep doing stupid and reckless things, it’ll happen a third time.” Birch sneers at me.
“Enough, Lieutenant,” Onyx reprimands before turning to me, softening his gaze. “Skyler, I never wanted this to happen, but if you continue down this reckless path, Birch is right; it’ll only happen again. Please don’t let it happen again. I do not enjoy seeing you restrained.”
“It won’t.” I roll my eyes. “I’m staying.Okay?And I might actually forgive you for everything you did if you get me that scholarship allowance.” My only other option is to beg Ander to feed me every day, but I amnothis responsibility, and I amnota dog begging for scraps.
But my worries are washed away by the prince with a heart of gold and nerves of steel. “No need. I have it covered,” Ander says coolly. “You don’t need their help, and neither do I. Let’s go home, Sky.”
I trust him inherently and don’t second-guess his words. A large smile blooms across my face, unfurling like a flower touched by Oleander’s magic.
I’m ready to get back to our place and, more importantly, to Ander.
