Page 26 of Ruler

As soon as I’m done eating, we gather our things and head to class. I’m surprised when some of the people we’re sharing our mythology class with head in a different direction, or walk into different classrooms.

“Hey, did they change the room?” I ask a Hatt Protégé when she stops in front of the door to the debate room.

Turning she gives me a scathing look before her gaze runs from the top of my head to my toes. “Don’t speak to me, bitch” she hisses.

Both Gus and Liam take a step closer. “What did you say?” The girl visibly pales at Liam’s growl. “Show some fucking respect.”

I’m so taken aback by the girl’s reaction that it takes me a second to catch up. “It’s fine,” I murmur as soon as I can process what she just said. “This bitch obviously doesn’t want to be late for class.”

There’s the answer to one of the questions I’ve been too scared to ask or dig into yet. Is Arthur upset with me? Well, it sure as hell looks that way when his Protégé dares to disrespect me.

We practically run the rest of the way, and reach the door at the same time as Ana shows up. Instead of commenting on our almost tardiness, she ushers us inside. As soon as we’re through the door, I decide it’s good we’re late because there, taking up the back row, is Remus, Flavio, and Lupa. The middle row is occupied by Arthur, Isolde and Mordred. And in the front row is, you guessed it, Morgana. She sits in the middle, making it clear we’re intended to sit around our Leader.

“Come on now, don’t dawdle,” Ana sing-songs. Her hand goes to the small of my back and I almost stumble as she nudges me forward.

“Sorry,” I mumble. Then I straighten my back and walk towards the seat closest to Morgana, making sure to meet everyone’s gaze during the short walk. “Morgana.” I incline my head, knowing that I have to keep up pretenses.

“Hi Acacia.” Her voice rings out, steady and clear. “Augustus, please sit on my other side,” she says when he tries to sit down next to me along with Liam.

“Of course,” he almost growls, anger swimming in his blue eyes.

With a dead look in his eyes, Liam asks, “And where should I sit?”

Morgana’s expression softens. “You’re fine where you are,” she says, and I feel bad for her as I notice the unhappy look in her eyes.

I wish I could lean closer and ask if she’s okay, because she really doesn’t look it. But that wouldn’t be very prudent of me, so I resist and instead do what we all do best, keep up pretenses.

“Right, now that everyone is here we should begin,” Ana says. If she’s noticing the tension in the air, she isn’t letting on. “I know that this class has so far been heavily influenced by Greek mythology. Can anyone tell me why that is?”

No one says anything.

“Okay, let’s try another question, and this time I expect an answer. What are the Four Theories of Myth?” Her eyes sweep across all of us. “Yes, Flavio, please enlighten us.”

“Rational, functional, structural, and psychological. Each offers a different explanation of why myths were invented—”

Ana interrupts the Russo Heir. “Very good, Flavio. Now, I want to hear someone else explain the core principles. Isolde, would you mind?”

“I-I’m not sure,” the Hatt Heir mumbles. “I think the rational myth theory claims that myths were created to explain natural events and forces. The umm… functional is more what you call the myths that were created as a way to exert social control. Structuralism is said to be patterned after our mind and nature. I’m sorry, I can’t remember the last one.”

Nodding, Ana says, “Mordred, can you help your fellow Heir out?”

“The psychological myth theory is said to be based on human emotion.”

Ana beams at Mordred’s answer. “That’s correct, very well done, everyone.” Turning her back on us, she taps away on her laptop for a few seconds. “So if I were to say that the Greek gods each had a seat of power on Olympus, could you draw a parallel directly from the Four Theories of Myth to this classroom, Acacia?”

My lips pull back in a genuine smile. This is what I love, what excites me. Bringing the ancient tales to life by seeing how some things still reflect in our everyday life. “That could be explained with the third Myth of Theory.”

“How so?” Ana says, smiling back at me.

“The groups we’re sitting in, and the seats we’ve taken could all be said to be our seats of power. Which proves the third Myth of Theory that states myths were built on human patterns.” I’m feeling pretty good about my answer, especially after Morgana asked Gus to sit on the opposite side as me, thus making sure she has an Heir on either side.

I’m surprised when Ana begins to laugh. What’s more surprising is how infectious it is, and before long, most of us have joined her for no other reason than it feels good—at least that’s my reason.

“Exactly. And that’s why we’re going to be switching it up. So if you all gather your things, I’ll assign you new seats that I expect you to keep every Friday afternoon for this specific class.”

As I look around, it becomes clear I’m not the only one staring uncomprehending at her. It’s not that I mind, it just seems… odd that she wants to mix and match. Or maybe it’s pure genius, I can’t decide.

In less than fifteen minutes she has us seated in different groupings. I’m teamed with Mordred and Flavio. Gus is with Isolde and Lupa. The three Leaders are all in a group of their own, which makes a weird kind of sense. We’re all taught to obey our Leader, so who’s in charge between all three of them?

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