8. Raea
Raea
It’s the last AerBall game of the season this morning, and I'm beyond excited. This past week, we’ve fallen back into the routine of school, carving out time to train.
If it isn’t Trysten pushing me harder in the gym, Ryker is pulling me from my own bed—go me—before the sun is up so we can train in The Overlook training center.
Our sessions mostly involve Ryker trying to make it rain while I practice drawing small amounts of energy from Baedyn without destroying a forest.
The first few times I tried, I had Ryker right next to me, ready to siphon it away. I was able to do it successfully once. But hey, once is better than none. It means it’s possible to do.
Aolyn returned last night looking more tired than I have ever seen her.
We were up late into the night with Ryker, Trysten, Professor Ainslyn, and our security team.
She said all traces of the visitors who were in the palace over break are gone.
She mentioned that the wing of the palace they were staying in had a lingering scent of something rotten, but there wasn’t a single piece of furniture out of place, and no Regils stopped her from wandering.
Her father even attended dinners. She told them she needed to be home to discuss the heating initiative she was working on.
They bought it.
Reluctantly, Ryker and Ezra agreed that I was fine to sleep in my own room.
Speaking of sleeping, now that my new guard, Theovan, is here, Ezra is finally sleeping on a normal routine.
He’s less grumpy. Theovan arrived on Baedyn two days ago.
Before being placed as my guard, he was a commander in the elite ops team. No training was needed.
Aksel seems happy about the addition. They knew each other from a mission they worked on before. He seems nice enough, but it’s going to take some time to get used to him.
Ezra has him working today for the game as extra coverage.
Aolyn also told us last night that her family was flying in to attend the last AerBall game. Everyone, including Ryker, tried to get me off planet, but I insisted I was safer with them than without them. So naturally, everyone is on edge—including Aolyn and me.
“What time will your parents be here today?” I ask, wary about approaching the topic of her father.
They’ve invited me to sit with them in the royal box beside the pit, but the idea of sitting next to the man who is responsible for trying to kidnap me, and who is ultimately responsible for Kuron’s death, has my magic stirring beneath the surface.
Missing Ryker isn’t helping.
He didn’t wake me up when he left early to get ready for his game. I need to keep my eyes on him to make sure he’s okay.
“They said they will meet us there. Kamden will be sitting with us as well. I couldn’t get Ciara and Tate in. I’m sorry.” Aolyn sighs, muttering something about entitled assholes as she aggressively brushes her hair.
I set my hand on her shoulder. “A, it’s going to be okay. Aksel called in some reinforcements, and honestly, this campus and the stadium are almost as well guarded as my father’s study.”
Her shoulders relax, and she lets out a small laugh. “I just know this must be torture for you. Hell, it’s torture for me. I can’t even look him in the eyes. I know I didn’t find whoever was staying at the palace, but something tells me they will be back.”
I squeeze her shoulder and offer her a smile. “So…” I start, changing the topic, ready to share the secret I’ve been hiding.
She arches a brow in question. I lift a finger and rush out of her bathroom and into my closet, changing quickly. When I return, her grin grows instantly.
“Holy shit!” She kicks her feet and reaches for me. “I love this. I love you.”
I laugh awkwardly. Aolyn never curses.
“This is so perfect.” She shoves me into the seat, standing over me with her face paint.
I’ve kept my hair up today to keep my back exposed, and my makeup simple.
Aolyn begins to paint a number seven on my cheek, and when I start to protest, she rolls her eyes, adding a few blue stars around the gold seven.
“Time to go.” Aolyn stands, kisses my cheek, and grabs her bag.
The walk from the Executive dorms to the AerBall stadium only takes five minutes. We fall in with the crowd who are all dressed in school colors.
If our team wins this game, they’ll go to the championships. I’m so proud of our team—of Ryker—that I feel like I could burst with excitement.
“Raea, Aolyn.” Kamden steps between us and throws his arms over our shoulders. We both share a smile since he towers over both of us, making us feel small. “Ready to cheer and watch our team come out victorious?”
“We’re definitely winning,” Aolyn says, shuffling onto the steps ahead of us. “Sandridge Academy only made it this far because their goalie is a monster.”
Kamden agrees with her, following her up the steps ahead of me.
We make our way to the royal box to find her parents and her brother, Prince Boyce, already seated.
I silently shoot up a prayer while letting my magic settle within me.
I remind myself that I’m not weak. I’m not alone.
I am more than capable of protecting myself.
Taking a second to calm my nerves, I press a hand to my stomach, and then I slip into Princess mode and curtsy before her parents, offering them a smile. “How lovely to see you again.”
Queen Sava’s eyes travel to the Drithm jersey I'm wearing. She frowns before placating me with a false smile of her own. “Yes, dear, same.”
King Alexi’s dark eyes drill into me, drawing out a small gasp as a shiver runs up my spine.
“Princess Rae-a, I would love for you to sit beside me and tell me all about your travels to Sgya. I’ve read the reports, but there’s nothing like a first-hand account, am I right?
” The eerie smirk he gives me makes the hair on my arms stand.
I meet his eyes, letting my anger float to the surface. I won’t be so easily put down. “Thank you for the offer, but I am sure your daughter would love to sit beside you.”
Aolyn steps up beside me after speaking with her mother and giving her brother a hug. “Father,” she sings, dropping into the seat beside him. “How have you been?”
I can’t help but notice the way her hand fists beneath the fabric of her pants.
The king keeps his eyes on me as I nod, bowing my head mockingly. I find a seat as far away from him as possible, ending up seated beside Prince Boyce. Kamden sits beside Aolyn in the front row, leaving me truly alone with Aolyn’s brother.
“Boyce,” I say, keeping my eyes ahead.
“Raea,” he huffs. “Do tell me they serve alcohol at these games.”
I breathe deeply, fighting the urge to knock him out. He’s always been an insufferable ass. Still, I'd rather sit beside him than have to deal with his father. Boyce and I have met several times at events over the years, and we’ve always been cordial.
“Unfortunately, no,” I say just as the team exits their lockers and Ryker leads them to the pit behind his coach. When our eyes meet, he nods subtly, acknowledging for me to be careful.
Theovan and Ezra are on either side of the box. Aksel and his team are somewhere in the stands. Rune and a few others took the outside, hiding in the forest and around campus.
Ryker’s jaw ticks when he realizes who is beside me. He doesn’t trust Boyce. Neither do I. Boyce scares me more than anything. He reminds me of a raven—dark hair, pale skin, sharp eyes.
“Interesting,” Boyce muses, boredom lacing his tone.
I cross my arms over my chest and look back at the unBonded prince.
“What is?”
He jerks his chin to Ryker, who hasn’t taken his eyes off us. I glare at Ryker in warning before he finally looks away. Boyce shakes his head with a dark chuckle. “So the rumors are true.”
When I shoot Boyce a glare, he leans back in his chair, legs spread wide.
“The prince and princess, how cute, if not a bit predictable. You both seem like the type to break the rules despite your “perfect heir” reputations.”
I huff out a disbelieving laugh, attempting to hide my nervousness. “Don’t be daft. It doesn’t suit you.”
He sighs but doesn’t continue, leaving us both to sit in silence as the opening Ceremony begins. I cheer for Trysten and the rest of the team, making sure to keep my cheering for Ryker to a minimum, though it’s pointless with his number on my face.
By the third period, I'm ready to get away from Boyce, who is set on watching my every move in silence. I think I'd rather be sitting in the stands above with Ryker’s little cheer team instead of here.
“What?” I snap when I can’t take it anymore.
Boyce steeples his fingers, his clear blue eyes studying me. “You’ve changed.”
I groan and sink further into my seat. “I’m not a child anymore.” I cross my arms and focus on Trysten, wrapping an ankle injury.
We’re up eight points, and our team is doing well aside from the few cuts and bruises they all sport, but that’s only typical AerBall injuries.
Boyce hums delightedly beside me before leaning in closer.
“So I can see.” When I swing my head in his direction, I have to lean back because his face is so close.
“If you and the prince aren’t a sure thing, allow me to treat you to dinner this evening.
We can fly wherever you want. I promise to have you back before morning. ”
Is he serious? He should be married by now with a wife and little heirs running around. Also…ewww.
“I’m good.” I offer him a grimace and turn to see Ryker and Trysten watching me again. Annoyed with all of them, I stand and walk to the divider of the pit and royal box as Ryker and Trysten move to meet me.
“You okay?” Ryker asks, trying hard to keep his eyes on me instead of Boyce.
I grasp the railing, brushing his hand with the tip of my finger. “All good.” I look to Trysten, asking him about his ankle. He says he’ll be fine, but Ryker wants him to sit out the third period. Trysten’s eyes land on my jersey, and he covers his smile with his hand.