Page 103 of Stormbreaker

I show up late to the cafeteria and scarf down my meals before he even has a chance to notice I’m there. Cadet training occupies most of my time, and with my move to Aria’s dorm wing, I’ve become nearly inaccessible.

I might be a social pariah, but I accomplished the two things I wanted, at least.

Unfortunately, it’s all overshadowed by my parents, who have continued with their silent treatment, and it’s slowly eating me from the inside. Maybe it was naive to think I wouldn’t lose them, too. Still, I cling to the hope that our estrangement is only temporary. There has to be a way to make this right.

I’m heading for the gym after classes when someone grabs my arm and spins me around.

Knox stands before me with wild eyes, his hair disheveled, his brow furrowed with what I interpret as worry and frustration. He doesn’t look great, and the smallest flare of guilt burns in my chest.

“Poet,” he says. “Stop avoiding me.”

I huff out a breath through my nose and step back, trying to put some distance between us.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“We have to talk about it.”

He’s so uncharacteristically earnest that I find myself nodding.

“My mom said you called her.”

I sigh and tug on my ponytail. “Yeah. My mom is icing me out. And my dad . . .”

“That’s what I want to talk to you about,” Knox says. “I’ve spoken with Grady and my dad about you and this whole thing.”

My spine stiffens. Of course they’ve been talking about me.

“Can we go somewhere to talk?” Knox asks. He says it gently, and it occurs to me that I do owe him a conversation. Some kind of closure on this chapter of our lives. But I’m also not sure I’m ready for that. Now or maybe ever. I’d prefer it if we could just pretend the last few years never happened.

“I have to get to the gym. I’m already late for training.” I thumb behind me, but I realize that was the wrong thing to say because his eyes narrow.

“Training. You’re still going through with the cadet program.”

Not this again.

“Is that why you haven’t been in class? I thought you were avoiding me.”

“Well . . .” I wince, unwilling to finish the thought. It’s been a bit of both.

“After everything you’ve done, you still want to join the Storm Guard.” His lips press hard enough to go bloodless. “Poet, you’re walking the thinnest line here. I’m trying to help you. You have to stop.”

I shuffle back as he advances a step. “Absolutely not. I’m not dropping out.”

Knox sighs and runs a hand through his hair before he begins pacing.

“Why do you care?” I add. “Just marry Winter instead and forget about me. It’s what you want.”

That stops Knox in his tracks. “Winter?”

“Yeah. I’m pledging to Aria. You need to marry someone from Fiama.”

He shakes his head. “No. Winter . . . What? Who gave you that idea?”

“My father said . . .”

He holds up his hands. “No, this is what I wanted to talk to you about.” A group of people appears at the end of the hall and passes us, casting sly looks in our direction.

Knox sighs and reaches for my hand. “Can we not do this out here?”