“It’s not something that can be forced,” Kieren says. “Don’t move; I’ll be right back.” He points at his sister, but his eyes plead with me to keep her under control. She is a ball of energy, maybe eighteen? I’m not sure, but she bounces with an exuberance that I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s like pure light. “You’re not staying here. Evander’s going to take you right back. Don’t get comfortable.” He thuds down the hall.
“Whatever, big brother.” Aisling takes my hand and leads me past the guys’ office to a room three doors down.This room’s bright and cheerful, where the guys’ office and den are dark, like from an academia office in a movie. Here, the curtains are light blue and there’s a fuzzy white rug in front of a fireplace. “From the look on your face, you haven’t been in here before.”
“No.”
“It’s the female study. It’s yours.”
“I haven’t?—”
“But you’re going to. Kieren says you’re his mate. That the thunder is complete with you.”
I nod and sit on a light blue velvet sofa. “Kieren didn’t look happy about you coming with him.”
“I was hiding next to theThessari,and when he activated it, I jumped through with him.”
“Oh.” I stand and move over to the dark fireplace. “Why were you hiding?”
“My parents think they can make Kieren’s thunder do what they want by using me.”
I nod.
“Right, they don’t want me to be queen. But they’re keeping me from the academy because of... I don’t know, I guess all the rumors around Firested.”
My father taught me if you want more information from someone, the best way sometimes, with some people, is to just keep quiet and let them fill the dead air with their voice. So I wait.
“And if they mate you, they can’t rule. Not unless you have the lightning.” She clamps her hands over her mouth. But I already knew that. The guys haven’t kept it a secret. But Aisling... they haven’t kept her a secret either. If she hasn’t gone to the academy, how can she rule? If they keep her locked away, she won’t find her mates. She’s Kieren’ssister. I’m sure in time she’d make a good queen with or without mates.
“What happens if your parents don’t have someone to take over?”
“A challenge. It’s a bloodbath. It hasn’t happened in a long time, though. And a good thing too.” She tilts her head. She’s holding something back.
“Aisling!” Evander’s voice echoes down the hall. The door opens. Evander’s eyes widen at the two of us. Or maybe it’s just me in this room. “Time to go. You can’t stay here.”
“I know, I know. If the portal closes, I won’t be able to get home...”
“Come.” He holds out his hand. “I’ll see you tonight, Raine.” Evander takes Aisling’s hand, but she rips away from him and flings herself into my arms.
“It’s like we’re sisters already. And sisters do anything for each other.”
“Now, Aisling,” Evander commands.
Sisters do anything for each other. What would I do for Wren, if she was the one being controlled by our parents? Wren took me into her apartment. Saved me from having to go home. I can’t let Aisling be locked back in the tower.
73
RAINE
It’s snowing when I open my shades. Light, fluffy snow peppers down from the sky. It’s not the type of day that goes with my mood. Outside, Hallmark movie snow drifts out of the sky. Blue sky snow. Not lost-in-the-backcountry-woods-with-a-dark-sky snow.
Today’s the day. Six months.
There’s an impression on the pillow where Roark was last night. Two nights ago, it was Evander. There’s no pattern, but I’m never alone. But I haven’t asked to be.
I dress and head to the dining room, where I’m shocked to find them all. That’s something that doesn’t happen very often. Not with Roark searching the sky for Firested dragons. Not with Kieren playing cat and mouse with his parents over his sister’s wellbeing.
Kieren reaches for me first. “Raine, you look beautiful today.”
I hug him good morning. It’s hard to look him in the eye. My six-month contract was up two weeks ago. Today’s thesix-month anniversary of the ceremony. I’m trying not to back down. I have to go through with this. Walk away with my dignity. Let them fulfill their commitments.
