Chapter 47 Taken
SOMA
Saturday morning drags. No classes or scheduled activities. I sit on the edge of my bed, trying to decide whether to be grateful or restless. Jade moves quietly around the room, tidying as though her life depends on it.
At first, I think nothing of her actions since she loves to fuss, even knowing the cleaners will stop by, until I notice how she smooths every folded corner of the blanket twice. How she lingers over my desk, straightening pencils, pens, and books already aligned. She wipes the same spot on the dresser with small, precise motions until it gleams like polished silver. Nitpicking at dust that isn’t even visible.
“Jade,” I call out to her. “The cleaners will do it.”
The cloth in her hand almost drops, and she pauses. Her expression doesn’t change, but there’s the faintest twitch of her lips, like she wants to argue but decides not to.
“My lady,” she says, smoothing a fabric. “I really don’t mind.”
“Fine. Have fun.”
She giggles like I offered her the world, and I wonder how I didn’t notice she was such a neat freak until now.
Bored, I flop back against the bed and pull out my phone. The school website has a section listing weekend activities. Archery, chess, and dueling exhibitions. They all require skill, confidence, and, unfortunately, talents I don’t have. And the thought of stepping into a crowd only to embarrass myself is enough to make my chest tighten.
So, I pull my phone out of the bedside drawer and text Helga instead.
Me: Want to hang out?
Her reply comes quickly.
Helga: Busy with homework. Catch you later?
Tossing the phone onto the bed, I drape an arm over my eyes. I keep forgetting Helga is a Year 2 student.
When Jade finally finishes perfecting every surface in the room, I’m famished. As if hearing my thoughts, my stomach growls, and her feet pitter-patter against the floor.
“My lady,” she calls. I look up, and she’s frowning.
“Let’s go grab breakfast,” I suggest.
“Of course. I’ll be down in a moment.”
Desperate for a change of scene, I exit the room without waiting for her. The door across from mine swings open, and curiosity makes me pause. It’s the first time it’s ever been open. I was almost convinced that no one used the room.
My pulse skips when Brynne steps out in a matching black shirt and pants. He shuts the door behind him, but not before I glimpse a girl’s silhouette.
What’s he doing here? That’s not his room, right? As my gaze locks on his, he cocks his head, daring me to speak. Realization sets in, and I almost retreat into my suite, but the door is locked.
The corner of his mouth lifts in a taunt, and his mocking voice slides over me. “You’re not going to run from me?” I clench my hands at my sides, and he adds, “Impressive.”
Anger flares in my chest, and my lips move in a string of barely audible words before I can stop them.
“Who cares about impressing an asshole like you?”
“Oh?” His brows shoot up. “What was that?”
“Nothing.” My back presses against my door, and my heart slams against my ribcage. “I didn’t say anything.”
Brynne smiles, but it lacks warmth. “Are you trying to tempt me into touching you again? Couldn’t get enough the last time? Want me to feel you up against your door?”
He puts a foot forward, casual menace packed into that single step. I don’t think. I run.
His laughter follows me down the hallway, but I don’t care or slow down until I’m in the middle of the staircase. My pulse races in my ears, and I grip the railing, trying to steady my raging heartbeat.
At the foot of the stairs, I make the mistake of looking back. Brynne’s a few strides behind, his long legs eating the distance between us with ridiculous ease.
They’re all fast. Kade, Tristan, and Brynne. Maybe it’s a royal thing since they are all born predators and bred for the hunt.
Jade trails behind him, her eyes wide with panic as she tries to keep up. I shove my legs harder and make for the dining room, the only safe place I can think of now.
The long table stretches out before me, empty but welcoming. I dart for a chair, trying to slide into it before Brynne makes another attempt on my life.
“That seat is taken,” his voice drawls behind me.
My body freezes as he comes into view and walks past me. Fine. I scurry to the next chair, and his voice booms.
“Taken.”
What was that Helga said about him not engaging in low-level pranks? She doesn’t know him very well. The second I move to another chair, he wags a finger, his smile proud.
“Also taken.”
For every attempt I make, he tosses the same infuriating word into the air. Finally, he drops into the chair at the head of the table. His eyes glint when they catch mine.
This is a trap.
The words echo in my head, and I curl my fists at my sides, trying to keep my emotions in check.
“If all the seats are taken, where am I supposed to sit?”
A smirk takes over his lips, and he pats his lap. My face burns, and I huff. He’s lucky he’s stronger than I am.
“You.” I release a breath, pointing a finger at him. “You—”
“Me, what?” he mocks, coaxing me to finish. To grant him that satisfaction, so he has an excuse to touch me again.
“You’re an—”
“My lady,” Jade blurts. The urgency in her voice slices through the haze clouding my mind. “You can eat in your room.”
Everything stops.
It’s as if the entire room exhales and holds its breath. Brynne’s smirk dies mid-curve, and his expression turns blank. His gaze snaps to Jade, and my spine locks. I didn’t feel fear earlier when he teased me or made threats with a smile on his lips. But now, I do.
“Who gave you permission to speak?” he asks.