Page 9 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

Aksel’s jaw ticks.

It’s Ezra who says, “Princess, we can’t be sure, and with you rooming together…”

“Stay with me,” Ryker says. “Just at night.” He glances toward Ezra. “The terrace is secure. I need two stationed outside my room.”

They nod, but I’m already preparing my refusal. There are already enough rumors without me moving into Ryker’s room.

“You can’t be serious,” I say through clenched teeth. “I can’t just move in with you.”

Ryker turns to face me fully. “Soraea, it’s for your safety. It makes it easier⁠—”

“I don’t care. I can’t move in with you. You think the gossip is horrible now?” I scoff. “What’s everyone going to think when every morning I’m sneaking back into my own room? Besides, Aolyn isn’t guilty.”

Ryker sighs, shoving a hand through his hair. He looks like he’s about to argue back, but the transport stops moving, and I feel the anti-gravity turn on. All at once, the back ramp opens.

“Time for that princess smile,” Ryker says, tugging me close, though I can see his frustration in the way he clenches his jaw. “Let’s put that charm to use.”

I blow out a long breath and follow him down the ramp, keeping my hand interlaced with his. Chancellor Xara is waiting. She can always tell when something’s wrong, so I fake a yawn and lean against Ryker.

“Hi,” I say with false enthusiasm, pasting on a tight smile.

I can feel her eyes scrutinizing every inch of us. “So it’s true?”

The chancellor looks past us to see our security team, armed, and heading down the ramp behind us.

I almost ask what she’s talking about when Ryker says, “That I love Raea or that our security team has grown? Because the answer to both is yes.”

I pretend to swoon while panic claws up my throat.

The chancellor looks us over and nods. “Keep it professional. No slipping grades, no skipping class, and—” She blows out a long breath. “No Bonding.” She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Now, I’ve been waiting for you both because Professor Ainslyn wants to see you in his office.” She throws her hands up in surrender, shaking her head as she backs away, muttering something about this being a huge mess. She turns and strides back into the administration building.

Ryker nods to the men, and they spread out, keeping their distance, but closer than before. “Shall we?” He tilts his head toward the Executive Yard. Taeolyn still looks beautiful, but something about it feels duller now. Like the world shifted while we were gone.

Maybe it has.

We make it up the steps of Taeolyn, the doors slicing open, before I’m assaulted. “Oh my gods, Raea,” Ciara squeals, jumping on me and tackling me to the ground.

Chapter 4

Ryker

Raea is catching her breath when I help her off the floor. I try not to snap at Ciara for tackling her to the ground, but I feel on edge. I can’t stop checking every corner, every alcove. Why have I never noticed how many places there are to hide in this building?

“Where have you been?” Ciara asks, looking between us. “We thought you might not return.” She laughs, but I feel Raea tense beside me.

Raea grimaces. “Sorry⁠—”

“There she is!” Tate bellows from across the common space, arms open.

Raea smiles and runs straight into his arms. He picks her up, spins her, and makes her giggle. He’s one friend of hers I don’t mind, though I don’t appreciate the way she’s wrapped up in his arms.

Has no one heard of boundaries?

I turn and see Trysten walking down the steps, analyzing his surroundings the same way I do. He reaches us, slapping me on the back as he leans in for a hug. “Ryker.” His eyes hold every question he knows I can’t answer here. Being friends for most of our lives has taught us to read each other’s tells.

“Later,” I respond quietly.

He nods, stepping away as Raea pulls him in for a hug. He lifts his arms like he doesn’t know what to do. Finally, he lowers them and awkwardly hugs her, patting her shoulders.