Page 5 of A Dose of Agony
They’ve been surprisingly calm these last few days, considering the prince they’re bonded to is off fighting a war and they’ve been left behind. I expected frustration and nervousness.
“You arenotin a good mood,” Laithe counters.
I wrinkle my nose. “I know I’m only human, but if I don’t get some coffee stat, I’ll be the most dangerous creature in the school.”
“More bad dreams?”
I shrug. Are they dreams? I suppose maybe they are. Tricks of my imagination seem more likely, but I guess tomato-tomahto.
“It’s hard to sleep in there without him.”
Laithe nods slow and deep. Their movements are smoother today, I realize. I glance over their nails—black, sharp, and shiny—and up to their eyes—brighter red than usual.
“You’ve fed?” I guess.
Laithe’s lips twitch.
I take that as a yes and file the new information away.
As we continue walking, my stomach tightens. It’s almost tempting just to turn and run back out of Elite Hall. I’d get a taste of freedom and Jarron back for a little while.
If only it wouldn’t require a gamble of his safety.
I don’t like that he is not around. He’s off in another universe, dealing with a potentially violent conflict. I get updates from Laithe, but they’re vague enough it usually requires multiple pointed questions to draw more understanding.
According to Laithe, no major action has taken place during this “war” yet—no fighting, no attacks, and nodirectthreats—but there are groups of rebels in camps surrounding the capital that are growing in size. More and more people are traveling from the outskirts of the world to the capital island. More and more rebels buying into the idea that Jarron shouldn’t be the next king.
When we make it back to the sunroom, I find a few more familiar faces.
Did they wake because I left the hall too?
“Hey, princess. How’s the ivory tower feeling these days?” Stassi grins at me from one of the armchairs beneath the glass panels. Neither he nor Manuela, who sits across from him with her girlfriend, Lucille, appear annoyed at me, so maybe it’s just chance that they woke this early.
“I haven’t grown my hair long enough to escape just yet.” I cross my arms and lean against Stassi’s chair.
He frowns like he has no idea what I mean.
“You’ve got a long way to go,” Lucille remarks. I absently run my fingers through my shoulder-length brown hair.
Manuela snorts. “You don’t need the long hair, Candice. No man can keep you locked away if you want out bad enough. That’s the takeaway from Rapunzel.”
“Is it?” Laithe asks with a rise of their brow.
“It is for me.”
I smile. “Just feeling a little stuck. I need todosomething, and this one won’t let me work on my potions.”
“You’re studying. That’s good for now, isn’t it?” Lucille says. Her eyes tell me she’s sympathetic but agrees that I should remain where it’s safe.She’s a petite red-headed shifter that’s possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I don’t know her all that well, as she keeps mostly to herself.
“Her boyfriend is at war. Would you feel content studying?” Manuela challenges, squeezing Lucille’s thigh gently.
Lucille’s eyes soften. “I suppose not.”
Manuela leans forward and whispers, “If you need help skirting Jarron’s rules, let me know. I’m always in for a bit of rebellion.”
“I heard that,” Laithe complains.
Manuela winks at them.
