Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Elari

I didn’t go back the next day, or the day after that.

Or any other day that week.

I saw Kade around campus, we did a pretty good job about ignoring each other but sometimes I caught the look on his face when he knew I had walked into a room and it broke my heart.

He thought I was rejecting him and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do to dispel those thoughts. It wasn’t like I could run over there and tell him I loved him, I was just busy.

That wasn’t a lie. Between my friends, and I only seemed to have two of those now because our group had split down the middle when they found out who I really was, my professors trying to get me ready for what was rapidly approaching and Rivan alternating between protests I’ve doting boyfriend and pushing me harder and harder into training, I barely had time to do my homework and sleep was completely off the table.

I walked around like a zombie.

I knew on the outside world, spring would have sprung. There would have been parties starting to take place on the beach. Blossoms would have filled the branches of the trees. People would have been happy. There was none of that here in Frostveil. We were locked in a constant hellish winter.

That was part of the reason I was feeling so down as well. I knew that. I wasn’t a cold weather person no matter my powers and the line of winter wolves I was related to.

I just wanted to feel the sun on my skin, just for a day. Hell I would take even half a day.

“Are you ok? You’re distracted today.” Rivans voice was soft but it snapped me out of the day dream I was having about laying on the beach in the sun, with Kade next to me in shorts that showed off his tanned and perfect body.

A blue crept  up my cheeks. It was a good thing Rivans power wasn’t mind reading otherwise I would be in serious trouble.

I was in trouble.

“Yeah.” I flopped down on the hard blue mat. Pushing my sweaty hair out of my face and sucking in a shaky breath. “Yeah I’m fine.”

With a sigh he sat down cross legged next to me. “You’re not paying attention. You’ve not been here all week.”

My head snapped around. “I have been here, Rivan. Every single day and I am exhausted.”

Softness flickered into his eyes. “I know it’s hard work. I know I’m being a ball buster but this is important Elari. I don’t want you to fail.”

I didn’t want to fail either. I hadn’t wanted to come to Frostveil but that didn’t mean I wanted to leave now. I had friends here. Kind of a life that I liked. Apart from the lack of sun on my face.

“I know.”

That’s it, all I had to say. I knew he cared for me. Just like I knew he was pushing me so I didn’t fail, or die which was a very real possibility. And the fact he cared made me feel even more guilty.

“Ok.” A sigh escaped Rivans lips as he flopped down next to me. “I get it. You need a break.”

I didn’t answer that.

“Let me take you out tonight.”

I peered at him through my sticky lashes. He had turned on his side to look at me. His face eager and open. There was so much hope in his eyes that my heart twisted.

I needed to end this. I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt him. And if this carried on then that’s what I would do. I loved Rivan.

Just not in the way he wanted me to love him.

“I meant I need a proper break.” From us I added silently. “I need a few days rest and-“

He sat upright. And for the first time since I had met him I saw real anger in his face. “You mean you need a break from me.” His voice shook with anger.

I couldn’t help myself I reached for his hand. My fingers curling around his. “That’s not what I mean. You’re one of my best friends. I love you. I’m just-“

Why did he have to look at me like that? Like I was his entire world? Slowly his hand gripped mine. His thumb rubbed up and down the back of my hand.

“I love you too Elari,” he whispered. “I have since I first saw you. You’re first day here.”

“Well isn’t this sweet?” A familiar drawl echoed around the room.

Rivan jumped to his feet before I could even sit up. His whole vibrated with anger as he faced off against my older and much bigger step brother.

“What are you doing here Kade?” At his side Rivan's hands curled into fists. “We have this space booked.”

Kade's eyes travelled up and down his body with a sheet before settling on me.

I climbed to my feet as well.

“You had it to train her.” Kades eyes narrowed when he took in my disheveled clothes and sweaty hair. “Not to whisper sweet nothings in her ear.”

“I was not-“

Kades look silenced him. And that meant he had heard at least part of our conversation. “Look it’s none of my business. I mean who am I to come between two young pups who are sooo much in love?”

My blood drained from my face. Yep. He had definitely heard. My eyes glued themselves to the tops of my bare feet. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at either of them.

“And it’s not my place to pry.”

My eyes snapped up. Oh he was definitely going to put his nose in where it wasn’t wanted. He was going to pry and make things even more awkward.

“But Lari is my-“ his lips rolled under his teeth as his eyes clashed with mine. “Sister. I care about her. She’s running on fumes. She needs a break.”

Rivan bristled. “I think I know her better than you do Phyrros. And we have discussed it. That’s why I’m taking her out tonight and she can take tomorrow off.”

He was taking me out tonight? I was pretty sure I had just said no to that. What was it with these boys and not listening to a word I said?

“And has she-“

Grabbing up my shoes, I marched passed both of them. I was so tired of this. Every single male in my life seemed to not give one shit about what I wanted.

They all tried to run my life for their own gain and I was tired from it.

“You guys hash out my schedule.” I snapped over my shoulder. “I have to get to class.”