Page 116 of Godless Saints

Sawyer kicked the door shut behind him with a casual flick of his heel. His gaze flicked over me. Still suffocating in Cillian’s oversized sweater, hair wrecked, shame I couldn’t scrub off. Smile sharpened, but something almost soft flickered underneath. “You look like absolute shit, hyung.” He crossed his arms. “We’re going to the cafeteria. No arguments.”

I pressed the heels of my hands into my eyes. “Ugh, fine. Just… give me ten minutes to shower.”

Sawyer dropped onto the edge of my bed, pulling out his phone. “I’ll wait here. Don’t take forever. You’ve been marinating in Ashbourne’s scent for three days. It’s getting concerning.”

I didn’t dignify that with a response. I just grabbed clean clothes and locked myself in the bathroom.

The hot water felt like penance. I stood under the spray longer than necessary, letting it beat against the fading bruises on my hips and thighs.

When I finally stepped out, Sawyer was exactly where I’d left him, sprawled on my bed scrolling through his phone.

He looked up, eyes narrowing as he took in the fresh clothes and the way I was still moving.

“Better,” he said, standing up. “Marginally. Let’s go before you fuse with the mattress and I have to peel you off it.”

I didn’t argue. I knew he’d literally drag me out if I tried, and not in a dignified way.

We walked through Aster Court in silence for a while. The halls were lively, loud, and full of peers pretending not to stare. Sawyer stayed glued to my side, closer than usual, ready to throw hands at anyone who tried anything.

“You’re hovering,” I muttered.

“I’m protecting you,” he shot back, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

“You’re useless to me if you waste away. Eat. Get your icy bitch energy back. Court needs you functional, not moping.”

I let out a tired breath, the corner of my mouth twitching despite myself.

“I hate you.”

“You love me,” he said cheerfully, squeezing my shoulder. “Deep down. In your cold, repressed little heart.”

I didn’t push him off.

I wanted coffee. I wanted to be alone. I wanted everyone to stop looking at me.

Sawyer grabbed his tray first and started walking ahead. I followed a few steps behind, eyes on the back of his head, already regretting leaving my room.

Then he veered toward a table in the far corner.

No.

Absolutely not.

Cillian, Aleksei, Mikhail, Vivienne—all sitting together. I approached slowly, tray in hand, feeling like I was walking into a minefield.

“Have we all collectively lost our minds?” I asked. “Why the hell are we eating together like this is ordinary?”

Mikhail opened his mouth, already grinning.

Cillian didn’t even look up from his plate. “Aleksei and Vivienne are fucking,” he announced casually.

Vivienne threw a piece of bread at his head. Cillian caught it without glancing up.

I looked at her.

Vivienne arched one perfect brow, completely unruffled. “Hyun, I may have convinced Aleksei to protect you.”

I stared.