Page 113 of Storm Caller

If we find the cure, Rook is leaving New Manhattan. I love him, but we have our entire lives ahead of us. His father will never accept me, no matter what Rook claims. Can I truly leave everything I’ve ever known on the promise of a future that isn’t really possible?

A squeal of delight drags me out of my gloomy thoughts.

“Skies, look at the size of that rock!” someone exclaims as I glance up to find Winter Jenkins and some other members of House Fiama taking their seats a few rows below me.

Winter is surrounded by a group of girls as she shows off what is clearly a sizeable engagement ring on her finger.

I guess it’s official, then. She’s marrying Knox.

Silver and Hazel join the circle of her admirers to ooh and aah. I remember when they once claimed they couldn’t stand Winter. How quickly loyalty shifts in this place.

When Winter notices me watching, she turns and grins, thrusting her hand under my nose.

“Have you heard?” she asked. “Knox and I are engaged!”

She plasters on a smile, and I can tell she’s waiting for my reaction.

Suddenly, the room grows very quiet as I sense every eye falling on us.

Everyone knows our history. Everyone knows I defected from my House last year.

Do they understand that I did this on purpose? Do they think I still want to marry Knox?

“It’s beautiful,” I say, genuinely meaning it. It is a stunning ring. “I hope you’re very happy together.”

I blink down at her and smile, but she frowns.

Clearly, this wasn’t the reaction she was hoping for.

“The wedding planning is in full swing,” she says. “The Ardens are sparing no expense. After all, it’s not every day the scion’s daughter gets married.”

My brow furrows at that. I remember my father mentioning something about a leadership vote, but as far as I’m aware, it hasn’t happened yet. Either she’s confident about the outcome or she knows something I don’t.

She probably thinks I care if my father is ousted in favor of Cameron Jenkins.

“You’re absolutely right,” I say. “I’m sure it’ll be a spectacular event.”

“You should come,” she says. “So you can watch me and Knox tie the knot.”

I open my mouth and then close it. “Should I?”

“Of course. Everyone at Amery is invited.” She sweeps out a hand as whispers erupt around the room. I’m sure their wedding will be grand and that everyone will want to attend. I search inside myself, looking for any trace of remorse for the life I gave up. Is there any part of me that wishes I were in her place?

It’s then that someone else appears, and I look over to see Knox, Jackson, and Sal entering the room.

“Knox!” Winter calls, waving him over. “I saved you a seat!”

Knox looks at her and then at me, his jaw hardening. Slowly, he approaches. It seems like he’s healed from his injuries during the tunnel collapse.

“I was just showing Poet my ring,” she says, leaning against him. “You should tell her the story of how you proposed. It was so romantic.”

Knox’s frown deepens. “I doubt she wants to hear it.”

“Oh, of course she does. Every girl loves a romantic story!” She offers me a fake smile. “Right, Poet?”

“Sure,” I say. Honestly, I am a bit curious. Knox doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body, so what did he do?

“I think class is starting soon,” Knox says. He’s annoyed, but I can’t figure out why. Maybe because Winter is making a spectacle of them both. She’s obviously trying to make me jealous, but if she understood a single thing about me, she would know it’s pointless. The only reason I ever cared about Knox’s infidelity was that it made everyone pity me.