Page 10 of Crown of Steel

“Really? You already want to start a scene?”

“No, I—” Shutting my mouth tight, I send him another glare, then turn back, making a show of taking in the elegantly designed halls of the castle instead. Obnoxious fucker. He’s right though. Now’s not the time to express my disdain. The place is quickly filling with navy-colored uniforms as students make their way through the corridors, casually chatting as they’re getting settled in, followed by butlers who try to keep up, carrying trolleys filled with luggage.

Numerous paintings and framed pictures hang on the wall, and shiny sconces that once carried candles, are now equipped with light bulbs. Still, even in its full glory the place still looks pretty grim, or perhaps it’s my own reflection that’s causing my limbs to feel cold and tense.

I need stones to build my home. Steel to melt the gates. Silence to calm my mind.

But I’m not getting any of that with that provocative grip on my neck. The walk seems to last forever, the hint of that malicious chuckle distorting the silence, until finally, we halt.

“Well, here we are.” Louis and Gaël are the first ones to arrive at the large, wooden door that has number twelve engraved in a small, silver insignia. “Our home for the foreseeable future.”

Louis turns the key, an intermittent grating sound that rattles through my mind. This shared dorm will be a nightmare, and I have fought tooth and nail. Yanking myself out of Arthur’s hold with a grumble, I follow the others inside into what looks like a communal living room. Two leather couches face each other, a glass coffee table standing in between. Stacks of magazines have been placed on two side tables, as if the person designing this space didn’t quite know what topics to choose. From what I understood, the place got renovated into an apartment kind of dorm to accommodate all of us. I reluctantly have to admit that they have done a good job—the lounge has all the elements to make it look cosy. Cream-colored carpets with similarly colored walls on which family portraits are hanging. Wardrobes filled with books and kitchenware lead to a kitchen island, stools dotted around. A few lights have already been switched on, giving the place a warm and homey vibe.

It’s a trick.

“Nice,” Louis hums satisfied, sending me a wink. I scowl in return, grinding my teeth when he just cackles the venom away, and looks at the row of doors instead. The bedrooms. They each have a number on them, as if we won’t be able to remember which one will be ours. Although… my stomach flutters with nerves again. There are only three numbers.

Gaël’s already standing by the one in the corner that sits right behind the kitchen. He swings open the door, revealing a spacious bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. “So, me and Dominique will sleep here.”

Louis wolf-whistles at the sight of the large double bed and flat screen installed against the wall. “That big enough for you two love birds?”

Gaël lets out a huff of amusement, but otherwise, flips his cousin off. Tipping his head to his lover, he points his hand toward the opposite wall. “I was thinking of putting your piano here,trésor?”

“Yeah, sure—” But Dominique looks my way, unease thickly scrunched into his dark eyes, and now all three heads turn my way, making me groan inwardly.

“What?” I tilt my chin and force my gaze at Gaël, whose green eyes have become bright slits. “I haven’t said anything about the piano.”

“He hasn’t—” Dominique rushes. “I just thought—” But Gaël places his hand subtly against Dominique’s chest, pushing him gently back and toward their bedroom.

“I know this is all new for you Régis—” He clasps his lips shut as if swallowing the rest of that phrase, instead watches me for a full ten seconds with those piercing green eyes. I feel like the tension is rising in the room, and it makes me inwardly squirm.

Punishment.

“Which is why Régis didn’t mean anything with it. Drop it, G.” Arthur’s voice is soft, yet sharp enough to cut glass. No one speaks, as if we’re all waiting for something to happen. I can’t bear the tension, eyes slumping until they catch sight of my feet. When Gaël chuckles, they shoot up and instantly collide with his. He looks amused, shrugs then tips his head. “I’ll see you in a bit for lunch.”

And just like that, the door slams shut.

“Right, now let’s see what else they’ve got planned for us.” Louis turns on his heel, not bothered by that awkward moment in the slightest, as he simultaneously swings both remaining two doors open. Peeking inside, he throws his duffel back onto the bed in the middle of the room. “Nice.” When he turns around, he eyes me with his usual laid-back smug, then waves toward the corner. “There’s your room, little s-brother.”

“Thank you,” I clip, squeezing the strings of my backpack tight as I make my way to my bedroom. Nerves make it hard to breathe, but I definitely feel my shoulders dip when I peek inside. It looks…nice. With the knob safely clutched in my hand, I turn over my shoulder. “Thank you.” And then I quickly close the door behind me. Carefully locking it with the key, I need a moment to regain my composure before I turn around and lean my back against the door, sagging into the cool material. And then I let out a deep, desperate sigh.

This year will be hell, I can fucking feel it. They will make sure of that, my two stepbrothers. Closing my eyes, I allow my rattling mind to slow down, screeching and creaking as it slowly comes to a halt. “This too will pass,” I mumble to myself. “I’ve come all this way.”

I’ll keep my head down and give this my best. I’m good at that. Studying is all I’ve ever wanted to do, and it’s the only reason I accepted Jean-Luc’s proposition. I let my eyes fall around my new room. Why does it feel like it’s not going to be that easy?

Because nothing ever is.

Right?

“You know I love you.”

My eyes fall closed as thoughts of the past take over.

“It’s not my fault you’re useless.”

My hands form fists by my sides and I take in a shallow, ragged breath.

“Useless boy. Get in there.”

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