Chapter 35 Take your time
SOMA
Since the front door is still open, I see the three Rybak brothers bound down the staircase, their steps perfectly in sync. Sienna follows at a slower pace, unhurried, as if the world itself bends to her timing.
They’re all dressed in the academy uniforms. Unlike Sienna and me, who are wearing black blazers and pleated skirts, their blazers and pants are grey, forest green, and deep blue. Grey for Brynne, deep blue for Tristan, and forest green for Kade.
Even at that, there are differences between mine and Sienna’s uniforms. Her skirt is shorter. Only one end of her shirt is tucked in, and a tiara sparkles from her hair. Still, she wears the attire as if it were made for her, the fabric obeying the sway of her hips as all of them step out of the building. With her gleaming red hair and those sharp amber eyes, she looks like an untouchable angel.
“Oh, there you all are,” Lilith greets. Her soft smile fades when she turns to the princess. “Sienna.”
“What?” Sienna barks. “I’m following the rules.”
“We discussed this already,” Lilith says, but Sienna only folds her arms, tapping her shoe to the ground.
“Sienna,” Brynne growls. “You’re wasting our time.”
Still grumbling, she removes all the rings adorning her fingers and dumps them into Lilith’s outstretched hand. But Lilith doesn’t move until she tucks in her shirt. No one mentions her makeup, the heeled boots, or the black fishnet stockings that fit too well with the uniform.
“Thank you very much,” Lilith says. Sienna huffs and rolls her eyes, mumbling something about having to wear a uniform even in college. “I was about to inform Soma that she’ll be sharing a car ride with you all.”
“What?” The word slips out in a squeak.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kade mutters.
“Seriously? You want to put her through the horror of sharing a ride with these three?” Sienna asks. Turning to me, her lips curl in a knowing smile. “Good luck with that, Soma.”
She breezes past me, her perfume lingering in the air.
Lilith ignores her warning. “The princes know to be on their best behavior. You’re a lady now, and you’ll be the crown princess soon. As such, you must be treated right.”
Her eyes flick deliberately to Brynne as she adds that.
“It’s alright,” Brynne says. His voice is strangely calm. “Soma can share a car ride with us. It’s not a big deal.”
Kade quirks a brow at him. “It’s not?”
Brynne shrugs and strides past me. I catch the faintest trace of his cologne, and it fills my lungs before I can stop it. I hold my breath, desperate for the scent to fade.
“Okay then.” Kade mimics his brother’s shrug, flashing me a grin I interpret as a danger sign. “Come on, Soma. You don’t want to be late for your first day of school.”
Kade brushes by me, bumping his shoulder into mine. I know it’s not an accident, but I keep that to myself.
Tristan follows quietly without sparing me a glance. I haven’t heard him speak since the day he helped me.
“Good luck, Soma,” Lilith says as a parting remark. Her voice is gentle, but her words carry weight. “Have a great first day at the academy. Don’t forget your promise to the king. We’ll be expecting great things from you.”
Casual as her tone is, pressure coils in my chest all the same. I leave her and follow the brothers toward the fountain, where a limo awaits them. It intimidates me, but not as much as the brothers who disappear inside.
The driver keeps the door open for me. I mutter a quiet thank you and enter. The interior is sleek, smooth, and spacious, but the Rybak siblings manage to fill up everywhere. Brynne sits on the other side with Sienna, while Kade occupies the seat with me. Tristan is missing, but none of them seems to be bothered by his absence.
Sienna chuckles as the car pulls out of the palace. “Are you always this scared, Soma?” The question doesn’t come from a place of genuine care, so I ignore her, clutching my backpack to my chest like a lifeline. “You look like you’re about to faint.”
As my lips part in a reply, Brynne glances at me, and my head instantly drops. That makes her laugh harder.
“God, Soma. You have no backbone. The kids at school are going to eat you alive if you don’t develop one soon.”
“Don’t worry,” Kade cuts in. “She has her Prince Charming to protect her.”
Brynne snarls, and Kade pretends to zip his mouth shut. I don’t need protection from either of them. I’ll be happy with them staying away from me for the entire semester.
The car falls silent, and Brynne brings out a book from his backpack. I didn’t expect him to be the studious type, but his brows furrow in concentration as he devours the words on the pages. None of his siblings bothers him. I squint, trying to make out the title, but all I get is Flame.
“I’m bored,” Kade announces moments later.
“Shut the fuck up,” Sienna fires. Brynne ignores them.
Kade keeps it together for a few more minutes until he mutters, “I’m still bored.” Sienna exhales, but doesn’t tell him anything. He turns to me. “You, get out.”
The car slows to a stop, and Brynne shuts his book. I wait, not sure why I expect the guy to speak up for me.
Nothing happens, so I reach for the handle and step out. If they want me to beg, then I’m sorry to disappoint them.
Gravel crunches beneath my shoes as I straighten, and I notice how strange everything looks. Where are we?
The road stretches out endlessly in both directions, framed by tall iron lampposts that bear the royal crest. Beyond them, rolling fields sweep toward the horizon in gold and green, broken only by the dark silhouette of woods farther off. I don’t recognize a single thing.
Kade shuts the door and pokes his head out the window.
“This is too easy,” he says. His grin is sharp as ever, and his eyes shine with mischief. He nods toward the gigantic building in the distance. “Race us to the academy?”
“Kade,” Brynne calls, his tone low with warning.
“Fine.” Kade sighs, but his smirk doesn’t fade. He ducks his head back inside the car. “No racing. Take your time to join us.”
The engine purrs. Before I can think to protest, the car lurches forward, and I’m left standing in the settling dust.