Page 37 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Must be exhausting, hauling around an ego the size of a kingdom and expecting the rest of us to carry it.”
“Are you offering, Firework? You’re a pretty distraction, but you’ll burn out soon enough,” he sneered, rocking back on his heels.
“Don’t call me that.” Vitriol laced every word.
He smirked, cruel and sharp. “Hm… not fond of that. Even better.”
Alaire’s blood boiled. She couldn’t endure him for one more moment. Spinning on her heel, her hair whipping around, she snapped, “We’re done here.”
He didn’t follow, just called after her, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
She didn’t look back as she stormed out of the gardens, gravel crunching angrily beneath her boots. The distance did little to cool her temper; the fire raged inside, fueled by every word he’d thrown at her.
As the Serenity Gardens disappeared behind her, swallowed by the campus buildings, Alaire’s stride didn’t falter.
If Dawson Knox thought he could intimidate her, he was in for a brutal awakening. She bowed to no one, least of all an ice-hearted fae brute who probably loved only himself and a blank piece of parchment for a personality.
Alaire didn’t head back to class—she couldn’t handle sitting through another minute pretending to care. She’d rather face the consequences of skipping. After all, consequences were something she’d become excellent at handling.
Game on, prince.
Ten
“Do you think they’ll ever stop staring?” Kaia glanced over her shoulder, then back at Alaire. The elaborate dining room had pointed arches and wrought-iron chandeliers. Heavy, dark wooden tables carved with vines filled the room, accented with gold embellishments and black trim.
“Eventually, I’d think. But that might be too generous. Like a dog with a bone, they can only focus on what’s in front of them. I’m used to it now.” Alaire kept her eyes trained on Kaia.
She told herself it didn’t bother her, that their insults didn’t swirl through her mind at night, keeping sleep at bay. Focusing on her studies was the only thing that deserved her attention. Everything else wouldn’t—and couldn’t—matter.
“When do I get to meet the elusive Hadrian?”
“Soon! You’re going to love him. Though he is a bit temperamental around Caius.”
“I don’t blame him. He’s a dick.”
Hadrian was Kaia’s celestial, an arcstorm with the power to control storms. Alaire hadn’t yet seen one up close, and she was itching to encounter the majestic winged creatures.
“He’ll love you, though. Hadrian is an excellent judge of character.”
“What’s there not to love?” Alaire winked at her.
She reached for a fresh plum and sank her teeth into it, tongue flicking out to catch a rivulet of juice running down her lip. The fruit burst with a perfect blend of sweetness and tartness. She closed her eyes, savoring the flavors.
Some preferred chocolate, others savory treats, but Alaire had always favored fruit. It was rare for the orphanage to afford fresh produce from the market. To have it offered to her at every meal now was beyond comprehension.
Remembering where she was, she opened her mouth to tease Kaia when her body flushed. Alaire stiffened, her prior ease evaporating. She knew who she’d see across the room. Her body was annoyingly attuned to his presence. They hadn’t spoken since she walked out of the Serenity Gardens—and she preferred to keep it that way.
Dawson Knox sat across the crowded dining hall, his gaze locked on hers—those intense, unsettling eyes always seemed to find her. His fingers tightened around the fork he held, the metal bending subtly under the pressure. The muscle in his jaw ticked. His lips curled into a snarl. Then his gaze broke away sharply, dropping to his plate as his shoulders tensed, bracing for something unseen.
Alaire thought she caught a flicker of something else—frustration? Maybe even regret? She couldn’t be sure. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual scowl.
He clearly loathed her. The fact that he was forced to endure her presence was an obvious burden to him.
Likewise.
She threw him one more haughty look before returning her attention to her meal, pretending her body wasn’t buzzing.
There were few positives about Aeris Academy, but the food was undoubtedly the standout. Each meal offered an assortment of dishes seasoned with spectacular spices, bountiful options,and delectable treats. A far cry from the slop andYogurt Surpriseat Grimstone.
