Chapter 30
Skye
“Has anyone seen Coach?”
“I heard he’s the new headmaster.”
“I heard he died in the attack.”
“You idiot, he was literally just at the assembly.”
I flexed up onto my tiptoes, trying to look over everyone’s heads to see what was going on. Aiden and I had just arrived for our Health class, and we were greeted by a large gathering of students. The gym was locked, and Coach was nowhere to be found.
Aiden squeezed my hand gently. “Maybe we can go back to our room.”
I rolled my eyes. Aiden and I had almost overslept for class. The smell of bacon had finally woken us up, and I’d made it into the kitchen just in time to catch a shirtless Rafe cooking breakfast.
And fuck, did that scene make me want to stay home.
It was so…domestic.
But also hot. Rafe doing anything was hot. His back muscles flexed in the dim morning light coming from the massive wall of windows. His hair was messy, hanging in his face. The veins in his forearms flexed while he flipped eggs in the pan.
He’d pushed me back against the cabinets and kissed me like we’d never kiss again, and then I almost, almost invited him back to bed.
But it was the first day of class and I’d pissed off Zephyr to be here, so I had to turn Rafe down. Rafe didn’t care. He’d flopped down on the couch to hang out for the day when Aiden and I left.
We walked to the gym, me in a daze while Aiden chattered about a towel warmer in our new bathroom. My whole childhood, I’d struggled, and now I had a towel warmer. Being in a Royal Chain would have its perks, but we weren’t even connected yet and I was being given all kinds of luxuries.
Although…I wanted to connect with him. But he deserved to have me alone, not with Aiden right there. And I wasn’t going to send Aiden away from his new bed so I could fuck another dude.
Lord help me.
The door to the gym opened, and Coach was greeted with a mixed chorus of cheers and disappointed groans.
“Little shits,” he muttered as he stood aside, holding the door for us to file in.
Aiden and I tried our best to slip past him, letting some other students block us, but it didn’t work.
“Aria, Brandt, let’s talk.”
Aiden groaned loudly, and Coach glared like he hoped he’d catch fire.
The rest of the class filed into the locker rooms to change while Aiden and I stood in front of Coach. He looked back and forth between us for several seconds, and I crossed my arms, barely resisting the urge to tap my foot.
“There’s some new affinities we need to work on,” he said, looking at Aiden.
Aiden’s expression didn’t change.
“Am I wrong?” Coach said slowly.
Aiden looked at me, tilting his head. I opened up our minds.
Can we trust Coach?
I don’t know, I replied quickly. He was there when I fought Landon, so…
“Come on, kids,” Coach said, exasperated. “I know. I saw the whole thing. I saw you fight Landon, and I saw you get struck by lightning and not die.”
We both stared in silence.
“Aria,” Coach pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t feel guilty. Landon’s death isn’t on you, everyone saw you trying to stop him.”
I opened my mouth to say…I don’t know what, but then Aiden put a hand on my arm and stopped me.
“Don’t feel guilty, Skye. I’m serious. I read the final report. One of those attackers was a Telepath, and they did a number on him. His brain was practically mush. The Palace’s head Healer was so disturbed, she personally took the Prince to see it.”
I blinked several times.
Telepath?
Mush brain?
The Prince?
Palace Healer?
My brain was turning to mush, but a sudden surge of irritation grounded me. It wasn’t entirely mine, I realized as I looked back to Aiden, whose ears had gone a little pink.
“The Prince himself?” Aiden asked slowly, to keep his voice even.
Coach nodded, though his expression held a bit of understanding that didn’t make sense to me. He was looking at the two of us as if he knew more than he was letting on, especially in reference to Rafe.
And I didn’t like that, not one bit.
Especially not after last night.
“Change out, and then we’ll start training.” Coach said.
Once inside the locker room, I was met with more irritation. Most of the girls had changed and were already back in the gym. I made my way to my locker, the same as last term, and a flash of blonde hair bumped into me.
Carla Martin looked like a deer caught in headlights as she realized who she’d bumped into. She lurched back away from me as if I were about to attack her, which was weird, but I didn’t exactly mind.
I didn’t hate Carla. I wasn’t being performative with Willow the other day. Aiden being a dumbass wasn’t Carla’s fault, and I didn’t blame her for it. She’d said some bitchy things to me, but I sort of understood it.
I got a good look at her for the first time since last term, though.
And…she looked like shit.
Dark bags marred the skin under her eyes. Her lips were dry and cracked, looking like she’d been chewing at them. There were some open sores just at the lining of her collar, and she awkwardly shifted her shirt to hide them.
“Sorry,” she croaked before darting around me.
She kept her head down as she dove out the locker room door, and I just stared, dumbfounded. That was…weird. And very different from our other encounters, where she’d looked perfectly put together.
I remembered what had me so irritated as I changed, so I decided to confront Rafe.
Rafe, I called out to him.
He answered me in his usual seductive purr. Hello, darling. Miss me already?
I did, but I was mad at him. Coach says Landon died from a telepathic injury. Says you knew because the Palace Healer showed you. When were you planning on sharing that bit of information with me?
The answering silence stretched so long I almost gave up. I was getting angrier the longer he took to reply, riling myself up while I spiraled.
I wasn’t keeping it from you, Rafe said, and it sounded reassuring.
With everything that happened in the islands, I hadn’t found a good time to mention it.
I’m also confused by what I saw. I watched the whole thing between the two of you, and yet I saw the telepathic injury for myself. Was someone else in there with you?
I slipped on my gym shirt and fought off sudden tears.
Yeah, I replied quietly. They didn’t sense me, though.
Interesting, Rafe replied smoothly, not even the slightest bit annoyed that I’d kept this from him.
Was I an idiot, or was I just determined to be pissed off at this man forever?
He’d kept things from me, but I’d also kept things from him.
Strong enough to control him like a puppet, not strong enough to sense my elusive little Key. This is good information, love.
I blinked at how easily Rafe had changed the mood. My anger toward him melted away.
Would you recognize this presence if you felt it again?
Yes, I replied easily.
After a few beats of silence, I blew out a breath.
Sorry, I said, feeling a little sheepish. After last night, I thought things had changed.
Yell at me anytime, my love, I don’t mind. I encourage it. Things have changed.
I shivered slightly, shaking my head to dispel the sudden horny thoughts. After a beat of silence, Rafe spoke again.
Talk to me any time, Skye, I’m serious. You’re not bothering me.
I didn’t reply. I left his mind a moment later as I walked into the gym, freezing when I realized everyone in class was fucking staring at me.
“Thanks for finally joining us, Aria.” Coach snarked, and my cheeks flamed. Aiden was glaring at Coach as I awkwardly trotted into the crowd. Aiden grabbed me as I got near, and he pulled my back to his front, tucking my head under his chin.
“As I was saying,” Coach said with a scowl. “Today we’re just practicing the basics. We were just on break, and I know some of you aren’t allowed practice time at home.”
I furrowed my brow at that, but Coach went on while a few students murmured.
“I know shit is weird. Landon’s not here anymore. The attack on the academy was bad. It made me realize you all aren’t as prepared as you should be.”
“The attack wasn’t a normal thing, though,” someone said, and Coach sighed dramatically.
“Do you not watch the news? Family Chains are going missing. More and more attacks are happening across the territory. The Crown hasn’t had time for a coronation because it would put too many people in one place. It’s dangerous out there. Pay attention.” Coach said gravely.
A cold sweat drifted down my spine.
Rafe hadn’t mentioned anything about the coronation, either. Was it really being held off because of these growing attacks? Or was Coach just trying to scare us?
“I thought the coronation was being held up because the King didn’t name a successor,” someone muttered in the crowd.
Coach didn’t hear. “Basics today. Pick a partner and get to it.”
Aiden and I didn’t move as everyone around us began pairing up.
The King didn’t choose a successor? What about Rafe’s mom? I asked Aiden.
Aiden sighed audibly above me. She’s a woman. There’s never been a lone woman on the throne.
That’s so fucking stupid, I snapped as Coach made his way over to us.
I agree, baby. Aiden replied smoothly.
Coach shook his head as if he knew we were speaking telepathically.
“Brandt, you’re with me in the affinity gym.”
“Come on,” Aiden said in disbelief.
Coach moved in closer, and I straightened up from my spot in front of Aiden, lifting my chin in a bit of warning. Coach only raised his eyebrows at me before focusing back on Aiden.
“Unless you want everyone to know you have a new affinity you haven’t registered, then you need to come with me.”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“And you,” he said, narrowing his eyes right back at me. “You’re with Mac.”
“Who the fuck is Mac?” I said back.
Coach looked exasperated. “You’re not supposed to be cursing in front of me.”
“What-the-fuck-ever,” I muttered and Coach pursed his lips like he was trying not to laugh.
Aiden shrugged. “I don’t know a Mac. I’m pretty sick of being in the beginning class. We need to get moved.”