That was another nightmare. Rin had taken a page out of his brother’s playbook and ignored every single call his father had sent to Sila’s multi-slate, but that could only go on for so long. When he asked his brother about it, he’d mentioned he’d been doing the same with Rin’s device. So basically they were both icing out their father, who no doubt would realize—if he hadn’t already—that their tuitions had been paid for and they no longer needed him.
Except, Rin couldn’t even be excited that they could finally cut their father off, because he was too busy freaking out about potentially having the rug pulled out from under him. On the one hand, he was pretty certain this was all a game to Kelevra, a punishment of sorts for refusing to spend the night at the penthouse. But on the other…
What if the rumors weren’t actually rumors? What if Kel really had grown tired of him already? The tuition had been paid, Rin had checked, and he didn’t think there was a way the money could be refunded but…If they blew off their father indefinitely now, and then later Kelevra tossed them aside like used goods…
Which meant Rin had to keep his interest, whether he wanted to or not.
Did he want to?
He swore, this time out loud, as he reached the other end of the pool and came up, slapping an arm against the water as a burst of fury coursed through him.
“Breathe, brother.”
Rin wiped water droplets from his eyes and looked up to find his brother standing a couple of feet away.
He was dressed in the Academy uniform, his spine straight as he held himself with poise and authority the way Rin Varun was known for. His face was unmarked, but so was Rin’s, the cuts he’d received during the fight with Flix having healed a lot sooner than everyone else had assumed.
Mostly because Rin had been easing ever so slightly away from the impacts. He’d taken the hits, sure, but that hadn’t meant he’d been willing to suffer the long-lasting consequences. It’d irked him that his brother hadn’t realized.
“What?” Rin tugged at the golden earring cuff he was wearing—Sila’s earring—and glared.
“You’re doing it all wrong,” his brother said. “Anyone who glances in here will easily see you’re in a mood.”
“I’m allowed to be every now and again.” If his brother hadn’t recreated Sila’s personality, this wouldn’t be such a problem anyway. “There are too many eyes on us here. I hope you’re pleased.”
“It was necessary.”
“Yeah, sure, but for what?”
“To handle my problem.”
He meant Rin’s problem, but fine. Rolling his eyes, he moved over to the steps and climbed out, water pooling at his feet as he rested his hands on his hips. “What are you doing here?”
His brother turned ever so slightly to the left, almost as though he’d seen something in that direction but didn’t want to alert whatever—or whoever—it was that they’d been caught. The only reason Rin caught on was because he was so used to his movements. Still, he didn’t verbally point it out.
“I came to check up on you. See how you’re doing,” his brother motioned toward the door that lead into the locker room, “Why don’t you get dressed?”
“Ah,” Rin nodded, “checking up to see if your problem is affecting me?”
His brother shrugged. “The betrothal is all anyone can talk about, it seems.”
That’s not what Rin had been referring to and they both knew it. He rolled his eyes and started for the gray door, not bothering to hold it open for his brother when he passed through. It was childish, but he really was in a mood.
He stripped out of his wet swim trunks as soon as he was standing by his locker, glancing over at his brother when he stopped in the center of the room. “Aren’t you going to check?”
“It’s empty,” his brother said confidently.
Whatever. If he said there was no one else in there, Rin believed him. “Why’d you actually come?”
He started to remove his clothing as well. “Let’s switch back.”
“Right now?” Rin paused with one leg through the gray pants.
“It’s not like being here instead of the Academy is helping you,” his brother pointed out, handing over his combat pants before curling his fingers indicating Rin should switch.
With a huff, he did. But he wasn’t happy about it.
“This couldn’t have lasted anyway,” his brother continued. “Your Imperial can tell us apart. Swapping places on him isn’t going to work.”
