The silence shattered like glass underfoot, replaced instantly by a rising rush of whispers. First-years surged toward the entrance where counselors were being assigned, Shakari among them. A moment later, she came sprinting back, excitement and worry tangled in her expression. I already knew what she was going to say before the words left her mouth.
“My counselor is Ugo… and yours is Lorik Draventh.”
Of course it was. I’d told her about him and our encounter on our way to the atrium. How he seemed to hate me for reasons I still didn’t understand. How Thalen had offered me almost nothing in the way of explanation. Whatever grudge Lorik held against my family, it would find me now. And if I were ever going to prove I was more than the legacy I carried, this was where it would begin.
Shakari clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Come on. Let’s steal a little freedom before it’s gone.”
“I’ll catch up,” I murmured. My gaze already locked on Lorik.
She followed the line of my stare and softened. “Whatever your family did to him… It’s not your fault. You know that, right?”
I didn’t move. Didn’t say a word.
“You want me to stay?” Shakari asked.
I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. It’s not like he can kill me.”
She didn’t answer right away. Just gave me that look, the one that said she didn’t entirely believe me but was choosing to trust me anyway. Then, with a half-smile and a flick of her braid over one shoulder, she turned.
The twins followed without a word, their boots echoing as they slipped into the corridor beyond.
I turned and made my way toward Lorik Draventh.
He stood unmoving, arms crossed, the room slowly emptying around him as he spoke to Rory Rey. He didn’t look up. Neither of them did.
I wasn’t even sure why I was going. Maybe to apologize for whatever my family had done to him. Or maybe I just wanted him to see it: I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t afraid. I had been placed in Dragontail, hadn’t I?
By the time I reached them, they still hadn’t turned. I had to clear my throat, louder than I meant to.
They turned, slowly, clearly annoyed.
“Well, look who it is,” Rory said with a smirk. “The Princess herself.”
“My name is Thea,” I snapped. “Not Princess.”
“Is that short for Theodorena or something? Never did learn what they name noble females with crowns these days,” she said, voice dipped in mockery.
Lorik didn’t react. Not even a twitch at the corner of his mouth. His eyes stayed on me, dark, unwavering, unreadable. Did he ever smile?
“That was a joke,” Rory added, almost bored now.
“Can I speak to you?” I said to Lorik.
Lorik looked at Rory, giving her a nod. I could tell already that he was not the expressive type, always mysterious and extremely hard to read.
“Anyway, I’ll leave you two.” She stepped past me, pausing just long enough to toss over her shoulder, “Tell your friend to stop staring like she owns something. We’re sleeping together. That’s none of her business.”
Her footsteps echoed through the nearly empty atrium as she disappeared under the far archway.
“That was… something. My friend…She’s…” I said softly.
“I don’t have time for explanations,” Lorik cut in. “And I doubt you came to discuss my sleeping arrangements. Or did you, Princess?”
His voice hit me like ice. Cold, controlled. His eyes didn’t blink, didn’t soften.
“My name is…” I exhaled, annoyed. “Forget it. I came to apologize, given that you are my counsellor, and wanted to start on a good foot. I wanted to apologize for whatever my family did to you. For whatever reason, you hate me. But maybe you just hate anyone born with a crown. Maybe you’re one of those people who can’t see past the bloodline.”
I crossed my arms, pulse hot behind my ribs. He didn’t say a word. Was he always so cryptic? So I continued since I couldn’t bear the silence.
