Page 107 of Firestorm
“So you gave him a traumatic brain injury?” I snarked.
Landon’s lips twitched like he wanted to grin but he ran a hand through his dark hair instead. “I didn’t like what he said.”
“You certainly never minded what he said before,” I hissed.
“Is there a problem up there, Mr. Iykos?” The professor called out suddenly. My stomach lurched. I didn’t even know the professor’s name, I’d barely paid attention.
“Not at all, just helping our new transfer.” Landon replied smoothly. The professor eyed us for a second longer before he huffed and turned back to the board.
“Anyway,” Landon continued in a murmur. “I’m sorry for not shutting him up sooner. He acts like that so no one remembers half his family Chain is in prison.”
“Prison for what?” I asked, shamelessly wanting to know the gossip, even while confused on why Landon was even telling me this in the first place.
“Conspiracy to commit treason,” Landon replied lightly. “The King had three of them on death row, but the Crown Princess doesn’t believe in that shit, so who knows what’ll happen, now.”
I nodded along slowly. The Gulf Islands were like one huge city-state where the surrounding government didn’t really affect us, so a lot of these laws were new to me. I knew the King had died in the spring, I just hadn’t paid attention to who was next in line.
Which was really stupid…considering…I was sort of…in the line of succession now. Maybe. I think.Fuck.
Landon was silent after that while the professor kept shooting us glares. I continued pondering the fact that I was now in a fucking royal Chain. Zephyr had glossed over it for the most part when we found out, but the more I thought about it…
Would I have to move to the Palace? How would Zephyr be able to come with me? Not to mention our situation in the utility room–
“Did you get enough notes?” Landon asked.
I jolted back to the present, realizing everyone around us was packing up as class had ended. I stood but then paused, notebookhalfway in my bag as I looked over at Landon, who was holding out a sheet of paper to me.
“Oh, uh…”
“You were drawing the whole time, I wasn’t sure if you were taking notes or not, so I did extra.” He explained calmly, but I was still confused.
“Thanks,” I said lightly, taking the notes and slipping them into my bag. Landon began to follow me as I made my way toward the hall.
“Are you busy right now?” he asked, still keeping his tone and stare pleasant.
“Uh…yeah. I’m meeting up with Aiden. He should be here soon,” I said, darting a glance at the doorway where Aiden usually waited for me.
“Of course,” Landon said lightly. “Well, I was going to get some lunch, if you two would like to join me.”
I stared at him, completely dumbstruck.
“Why?” I asked more harshly than I intended.
Landon shrugged. “Because I’m sorry. I think we got off on the wrong foot, which was totally my fault, but…I want us to start over, if you’re down. I think we could be friends. I should apologize to Aiden, anyway. Threatening him with his bitch mother was really fucked up of me.”
I blinked at him.
“Okay, well…okay.” I was dumbstruck.
“Skye,” Aiden’s voice called out from down the hall. I glanced over my shoulder to find Aiden’s brow furrowed as his warm gaze took in the scene. How close Landon was to me, how confused I looked…
Then Aiden’s gaze darkened, and I whipped back to face Landon.
“Maybe some other time?” I suggested quickly. Landon’s gaze was behind me, and he nodded as he caught sight of Aiden storming up the hall to us.
“Of course,” Landon said with a slight bow of his head. “I put my number on the notes in case you need anything else from class. Feel free to text me.”
Landon turned on his heel and smoothly made his way up the hall just as Aiden’s hands landed on my waist.
