Chapter 85 I want this
SOMA
Monday comes too fast. For the first time in my life, I find myself wishing I could turn back the hands of time to the previous day, just for a few more minutes in Brynne’s arms again.
Since I can’t, I focus on getting started with the day’s activity. I didn’t get any reading done until he left, but I’ll have to rectify that. People’s future here hangs on my ability to pass every exam. But I need a key to the annex because I’ve returned Sienna’s to her.
What if I collect his?
A small laugh shoots out of my lips as the thought sets in. I stand before the mirror, running a brush through my hair while picturing his face. Whatever this thing between us is, it’s only fair for me to demand more beyond cuddles and mind-numbing orgasms. Because I know for certain he’ll be back. As long as that connection exists, the prince won’t let me be.
“My lady,” a voice whispers behind me. I shake out of my trance, staring at Jade, who grins. “You’re happy. Did you enjoy your reading yesterday?”
“What?” I ask. I dump the brush and smooth a hand over my ironed blazer. She puts a foot of distance between us, her new skirt swishing. It’s obvious she had fun shopping. “I’m just happy to resume classes. Nothing happened.”
“But you attended classes on Friday,” she reminds me. My reflection in the mirror pouts. I rub a hand behind my neck, heat spreading over my cheeks. “And you weren’t this happy.”
“Stop questioning your lady,” I mutter.
Jade giggles, hiding her mouth behind her palms. I brush past her on my way out, grabbing my backpack from my study table.
“You look prettier when you’re happy,” Jade calls out behind me. The joy in her voice drives my feet forward in hurried steps. “May I ask who I have to thank for that?”
A muscle ticks in my jaw. I slam both doors shut, my heart pounding as I exit the suite. Leaning back on the wall, I place a hand on my chest, waiting until my breath returns to normal. She must have misread the sign.
Brynne is incapable of making me happy.
Speaking of the devil, his door opens. He arches a brow on seeing me, and I straighten up as he steps out. As soon as his mouth opens, I stretch my hand toward him.
“My apologies,” I say.
Yesterday was good, but it doesn’t change what he did in the past or how wrong it was. Demanding an apology was a random, spur-of-the-moment idea, but now I need it. I want to see if our connection matters enough for him to offer one. Or he’ll barrel his way out of the situation.
Brynne chuckles, coming to stand before me. As soon as his hand reaches forward to caress my face, I duck.
“Seriously?”
“That doesn’t sound like an apology to me,” I tell him.
The amusement lingering in his eyes vanishes. His mouth opens and closes. I wait for him to say the three words. It won’t change anything, but it might stop me from feeling so conflicted each time my body responds so well to him.
“Look—”
I walk away before he finishes the statement. My steps crash to a stop when I notice Tristan and Sienna standing by their doors. But only Sienna has the decency to act like she wasn’t listening.
A small smile stretches my lips. As footsteps close in on me from behind, Sienna lurches forward and tugs me to her side.
“She’s with me.”
My frown fades when I glance back. Brynne has bridged the gap, his teeth gritted as his eyes narrow at his sister. Sienna throws her arm around my shoulders, holding her brother’s gaze without missing a beat.
“Are you going to apologize to her?” she asks. I nudge her in the ribs with my elbow, but she shrugs. “What? He owes you that much. If I were you, I’d demand more.”
Tristan watches the scene unfold without a word, but I know he’s waiting for us to leave so he can catch up with Jade. Brynne stares at me, hurt bleeding into his features as our eyes connect.
Why’s he acting like I betrayed him?
Without a word, he walks out on us. I curl my fingers at my side to stop myself from running after him. This isn’t how I planned the morning to start or the conversation to end.
Sienna turns to me, her face stern. “I’m with you on this. Don’t speak to him until he apologizes to you. After that fire, he deserves worse.”
Tristan clears his throat, and her attention snaps to him. “The fire was an accident,” he says. “We both know this. Don’t you think he’s atoned for it?”
Atoned? How? When? But Sienna doesn’t give me that chance to voice any of my questions.
“Doesn’t excuse him from offering her an apology,” she hisses, her tone leaving zero room for argument.
Sienna tugs me downstairs without giving Tristan a chance to reply. We reach the dining table, and Brynne is gone.
Something unnamed flickers through my chest. I’m not happy Brynne didn’t apologize, but I’m not excited about Sienna’s interference. She talks while we eat, most of the conversation centered on the ball and the outfit she’ll wear. Jade already picked out my outfit, so I’m fine.
“Who are you attending with?” she asks.
Brynne immediately comes to mind, but if he can’t offer a simple apology, how can he ask me out to the ball? My appetite disappears, and I push my plate aside without finishing my meal.
“I haven’t decided yet,” I reply.
She nods and continues like nothing happened. Tristan doesn’t show up before we leave for classes, and that pang of longing hits me again. I’m certain he asked Jade to attend the ball with him like a proper gentleman.
The rest of the morning passes without drama. As we head for lunch, Helga blocks my path. My first instinct is to ignore her, but I’m curious after everything Brynne told me about their relationship, if I can even call it that.
“Get out of our—” I cut Sienna off by tugging on her hand. She frowns at me and sighs. “Fine. See you later.”
“What do you want?” I ask the moment she’s gone.
Students brush past us. A few glances at us while others hurry toward the cafeteria without breaking their stride. Helga bounces on the spot, her hands hidden behind her.
“Lady Soma, I’m really sorry,” she mutters. This again? I try to dismiss her, but she continues. “I can’t get over the fact that I ruined our friendship for Prince Brynne. He doesn’t even like me. It was one-sided from the start.”
“Didn’t look like that when he had you on your knees or with his hands under your skirt.
“Nothing happened,” she cries with a stomp of her foot. That sounds too much like what Brynne said. I roll my eyes, and it encourages her to resume her tirade. “He was teasing. Like always. I’m not sure why it took me so long to realize he would never like me back. I kept hoping that if I did that one thing, maybe he’ll see me as more. I’m sorry, okay?”
“Okay.”
Her eyes widen. “Are we cool?”
“We’ll never be what we were, but sure, we’re cool.”