Page 78 of Oleander
“Uh oh. She full-named you. You’re fucked,” I whisper to Ander out of the side of my mouth while his mother—the queen—paces in front of us. The ice packs and salve did their jobs to temporarily numb the pain and inflammation, but it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since the hunt. I’m not ready for this lecture.
“How dare you place your life and the future of this kingdom in mortal danger for a silly game and even sillier prize?”
Ander lowers his head, casting his gaze to the ground. I want so badly to speak up for him and tell her it’s my fault, but I know that won’t do either of us any good.
“However,” she adds, and his golden head pops up, eyes shining with hope. “I amdeeplyproud of the honor this silly game brings to our family, as well as what will be said about you and your human companion in the history books.”
Human companion? Did she just low-key insult me? Whatever. I don’t need to listen to this.
“I’ll step out and give you two some privacy,” I interrupt awkwardly, slipping from the suite before either of them can stop me.
I pause on the other side of the door, resting my forehead against the wood and breathing through the pain stabbing at my side. The position allows me to unintentionally eavesdrop.
“The other good news that comes from this situation is that I can see you’ve gained control of your magic and are no longer an active threat. You’re free to leave the academy, Oleander,” Queen Hyacinth says, and my heart falls to my feet. I pause,needing to hear his answer, before I take the stairs and get some much-needed fresh air.
I press my ear to the door when I don’t hear anything, wondering if I missed his soft voice.
“You don’t need to stay here now that you’ve proven yourself knowledgeable beyond your courses and brave beyond your training. There’s magnificent power in you, Oleander, and your skills exceed this academy’s capabilities, I’m afraid. You need to study with the old masters. It’s clear you are the one who shall become king. It was never going to be your brother.Flame is a disgrace.”
I step back silently, bumping into someone behind me. Firm hands brace my biceps, and I gasp, sucking in a quiet breath of air.
“Shh.Listen.” The words are quiet in my ear, but the smell of smoke and cedar easily gives away his identity.
Flame.
How much of that did he hear?
I glance over my shoulder, and the twinkle of moisture in his amber eyes tells me that he heard more than enough. I focus on the conversation beyond the door, and my gut churns waiting for Ander’s response. I know becoming king and living at the castle is his legacy and birthright, but I thought we’d developed something special. Something once in a lifetime.
Does our connection mean nothing to him?Because it meanseverythingto me.
“I’ve only ever wanted to prove myself worthy of being king. Worthy of being your heir. I never wanted to be here, Mother. You know that. I miss home. I miss my tower. There’s nothing here for me?—”
With his easy dismissal of our friendship—of our buddingrelationship—I turn and slip past Flame, silently jogging down the stairs. I can’t listen to another word. My heart feels likeit’s shattering into a million pieces. If he really wants to leave, I guess I’m not good enough for him. He said my Blood Fae heritage doesn’t bother him or affect his feelings for me, but how could it not when our lineage makes us enemies?
Each step is pure agony as my skin feels like it’s being ripped open and hot spikes drilled into my bones. I pause on the fifth-floor landing, leaning against the wall and panting through the pain. I try to catch my breath, but an unpleasant tightness bands around my chest, constricting my breathing and all rational thought.
Oleander can’t leave.He can’t.Not after everything we’ve been through.
Sweat beads on my forehead and I lift my shirt, peeling back the bandage. I force myself to look down at the gruesome sight I’ve been avoiding all day. The scratch is no longerjust a scratch. The wounds have deepened and festered, and black veins now spider out from the center.
Shit.
Not good.Sonot good.
I grit my teeth hard, and it feels like my jaw is wired shut. I gently lower my shirt over the bandage. I need a doctor, and I have the money to afford one now. I just need to get out of here first.
I’ll be fine.
Everything will be okay.
I make it all the way downstairs, gasping for breath and sweating profusely as if I just ran a marathon. I can’t let anyone see me like this, so I slip outside into the chilly afternoon breeze, allowing the wind to cool my fevered skin. My mind is foggy, and my limbs are heavy. I disappear into the forest to get some fresh air and find a tall, thick tree that seems like the perfect spot for a short rest. Gingerly sitting down, I clutch my side and lean my head against the trunk as my vision goes in and out of focus. Myeyelids weigh a million pounds, so I close them, deciding to take a quick nap while I wait for Ander and his mom to leave so I can pack my shit and find a doctor.
I’m no longer bound to this realm, this school, or even my mom. I can make a new start for myself anywhere I choose. If I’m not wanted here by the one person I thought cared about me, then I don’t belong here either.
I thought the Fae couldn't lie, but he sure fooled me.
“Sky!Skyler! Can you hear me? I need you to wake up. Open your eyes for me.” Oleander’s soft, musical voice is full of worry and rips me away from blissful unconsciousness. The pain returns, roaring with vengeance. “Please, baby.I need you to tell me what’s wrong.”
