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Warmth blossoms from his touch, but before I can enjoy it too much, I shove his hand away. A soft chuckle parts his lips and I can feel his eyes on me as he places it on my leg once again.

“Have you ever been told no before?” I grumble, hands fisting on the table as I glare at him. My annoyance with him only seems to make his smile spread wider.

“When you mean it, let me know.” He squeezes my thigh, punctuating his statement, before turning forward, leaving me to narrow my eyes at the side of his head.

“What did you expect would happen after you let him between your thighs?” Kryll asks, and I whip my irritated stare his way, but he doesn’t react.

“We were getting it out of our system. Nothing more. I expected him to fuck off,” I bite, not entirely sure why I’m even answering him.

“Not out?—”

“I know. You’ve made that very clear since the fact. Thanks,” I snap, interrupting his repetition of the same line he’s been giving me since the moment we finished.

Kryll chuckles behind his hand, trying and failing to hide the smugness that naturally exudes from him.

They’re all assholes. That hasn’t changed. Good dick or not.

A projection screen descends against the wall at the front of the classroom, drawing everyone’s attention, and a moment later, Dean Bozzelli appears on the screen. She’s sitting behind a desk, fingers laced together on the table as she sits tall. A lime-green blazer sits perfectly on her shoulders, with a silk white shirt beneath. It seems her love for neon colors knows no bounds.

“Good morning, students. I hope you are all doing well and settling into your new surroundings.” The corners of her mouth lift just enough to be considered a smile. A fake one, but most people won’t care to notice. “Now that the introductory period is over, it’s time to buckle down and start looking at the trials and challenges the academy has to offer. We do have to find our new heir after all,” she declares with a real grin this time, excitement dancing in her eyes.

It’s contagious. I’m desperate to focus on the challenges laid out for us instead of the drama that has sought me out. Anticipation zings through me, but I can feel the nervous energy in the room from some of the others.

“Have you ever seen someone look so excited for people to die?” Brody whispers, fingers flexing on my thigh. His question leaves me speechless. The truth in his words is startling.

“In three months’ time, we will begin the first Heir Academy battle.”

Battle?

“You will spend the lead-up to this learning the intricate details of what will be required of a leader within the kingdom, which will include a field trip to the dormant castle. It will be a great opportunity to breathe in the power it holds, leaning into the history of our kingdom, along with the etiquette you all need to embrace in order to lead the realm. While all of that is somewhat whimsical, combat classes will be the opposite. I think it’s safe to say this will intensify, and it must, if we are to find our strongest citizens. Combat classes will begin to prepare you for the battle with smaller, less vital training sessions. Information on those will be given as they are confirmed, but please bear in mind that they may be sporadic and declared with short notice because, of course, a kingdom can come under attack at any time without warning.”

I can barely breathe as I cling to every word when she parts her lips with a twist of venom. The castle? Whimsical? Battles? They’re definitely turning the heat up. We all registered to be here, but the details of what that would entail were never specified—until now.

“I’m sure some of you are nervous. It’s understandable, but the purpose of this academy is to weed out the weak and find our inner strength. Our new heir.”

“I bet she thinks she’s going to weed out all of the fae. But not you, Dagger,” Brody breathes against my ear, making me tense. The words leave a chaotic feeling in their wake. I shouldn’t like them, but I do.

Suppressing the smile tempting my lips, I keep my gaze focused on the projector.

“The main battle you will be preparing for will take place outside of the academy. A specific location will be declared closer to the time. It’s important to express now that origins will be mixed together to create teams that will be designated by the origin guidance team.” She presses her palms flat against the desk in front of her, nodding to someone off-camera before continuing. “All further communications regarding the matter will be shared at the earliest opportunity. To the future heir, whoever you are, we’re watching.”

The screen cuts out and murmurs pick up around us as students talk among themselves.

“I’m choosing you for my team,” Brody declares, bopping me on the nose. I swipe at him, but he already moved.

“They just said it’s assigned,” I retort, pointing to the blank screen, and he shrugs.

“Yeah, but I’ll get Raiden to put in a good word.”

“I’d rather you didn’t,” I insist, and he pouts.

“You would rather go up against us instead?”

I falter.

Fuck.

He has me there.