“He’s notmyanything,” I growl out. I go to shove my chair back, forgetting briefly that I’m sitting on a long bench alongside perhaps half a dozen potential knight champions. The chair doesn’t budge, and it probably just ends with me looking stupid. I groan and slide out, narrowing my eyes at the bewildered look that Bryon is giving me. I grab a roll since I’m still hungry even if I’m mad and turn, stalking out of the banquet hall.
Chapter Fourteen
Thefirstsignoftrouble is the pounding of feet behind me. I’m following the mist through the academy; I had asked it to bring me to the library so I could have a hopefully quiet place to gather my thoughts and figure out why I’m shaking right now.
I rip a bite out of my roll and glance over my shoulder, groaning when I see that it’s Byron chasing after me. And here I was hoping it was someone racing to collect the books they left somewhere.
“Hey, Lo, wait up!”
My foot stalls and I throw him the most irritated look I can conjure. “It’sWillow, Byron. I haven’t gone by Lo for years.”
“Sorry,” he says shooting me a lopsided grin. “I guess old habits die hard.”
I huff a loud sigh in return.
He glances at me out of the corner of his eye as he falls into step beside me, easily keeping up with the fast pace that I’m already setting. “Are you all right?”
“What do you mean?”
“You just looked upset when you left the banquet hall. Marvin said that you probably just needed to cool off, but I was worried especially after the very trying day we had yesterday. I wanted to make sure you were okay after all that. I mean… someone did die.”
I pinch the end of my vest, rubbing my thumb across the bottom of my vest. “Marvin does know me well; I usually need to cool off on my own.”
“But?” Byron prompts.
“No buts,” I reply with a shake of my head. “My friend knows me well that is all.”
“So, youareupset?” Byron prods, not seeming to take the hint that I want some space. But then, he did just follow me as I hurriedly raced off. I doubt he will catch any hints I drop when he ignored that sign of me wanting to be left alone. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Does he really think I would be acting this evasive if I wanted to talk about it?
I purse my lips. I’m about to tell him to take a hike, preferably off the edge of the academy, but what pops out instead is, “So, have you decided on your next dalliance? It seems you have a lot of potential volunteers to be your arm warmer.”
Byron barks a laugh. “Wait, so this is all because you arejealous?”
I feel my cheeks color, although I can only assume that it is because of rage. Fortunately, the mist disappears behind a door that likely leads into the library, I shrug it open ducking inside looking for an escape.
My sanctuary is short lived since Byron follows me a second later.
“Willow, you don’t have to be jealous of me. You know I was just wondering yesterday why we never courted back in Woodsbury.”
I grab a book off the shelf and move over to a window seat, plopping down on it. “I amnothaving this conversation.”
“And what conversation would you rather have?” he asks, crossing his arms and leaning back against the shelf.
“I’d rather read,” I reply opening the book and holding it up, although I’ll admit I can’t focus on any of the words on the page. My ears are ringing, and Byron’s words are cycling through my head. He was wondering why we never courted back in Woodsbury? As if the decision was only his to make? Did he not take into consideration that I despised him?
“Your book is upside down,” Byron says after a long moment.
I slam my book shut and glare up at him. “What do you want from me?”
He lifts his shoulders slightly in a shrug. “I don’t know, Lo.” He holds up his hands in a pacifying gesture. “I’m sorry,Willow. I suppose I would settle for us clearing the air between us.” He tilts his head, a lock of his parted bangs falling into his eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re cute when you’re grumpy, but I also don’t like seeing you upset so I’m in a bit of a bind here.”
“If you wanted to make me happy then leave this academy and never come back,” I say before I can fully comprehend the words leaving my lips.
Byron steps back a puzzled frown taking over his carefree grin. “What are you talking about? Why would you want me to leave? We’re in this together, isn’t that what we said when we got here?”
“That’s whatyousaid.”
