Page 79 of Volatile King (The Kings of Wayward Academy #6)

R en

Dean Henry sat quietly observing. I smiled, and his eyes warmed. Then the corner of his mouth twitched up.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you sitting across from me, aside from Thanksgiving, but I don’t think that counts.”

I blushed at the memory and how we must have looked to him.

“No, doesn’t count.”

“Well, I’m very impressed with how quickly your speech recovered,” he said, sipping the tea he’d made when I first sat down. I couldn’t help wondering if he made a cup for every meeting. That would be a lot of tea in a day.

“Not perfect, but…getting there.”

“Alright…tell me, why did you want to see me?”

Sighing, I took a moment to gather my thoughts. “Why you let Sabastian in?”

He leaned back, and the large leather chair squeaked.

“Did Nash send you in here?”

I shook my head. “No…but worried what he will do,” I said honestly. Dean Henry looked away and stared at a photo on the wall. The seconds ticked on, and I started to wonder if he was silently telling me to leave.

“Ren…this isn’t really a conversation for me to be having with a student, but considering the circumstances, I’ll tell you what I can without breaking confidentiality.

” He slowly turned to face me again. “Has Sabastian hurt you?” I shook my head.

“Has he threatened you?” That was another no.

“Has there been anything that you would say has happened that would give me cause to deny him entry into the school?” He held up his finger.

“And it can’t have anything to do with Christov or Lawrence. ”

It was my turn to stare at the wall and think. The wildlife photo of wolves was oddly relaxing.

“No. If he did…I don’t know,” I said, and knew exactly what Dean Henry was going to say before he opened his mouth.

“Then, as you can see, my hands are tied. Wayward is neutral, a safe space of learning for those who need one. No family drama is brought through the doors. So, unless Sabastian hurts you or is actively threatening you, I can’t deny him from registering or remove him now that he has been accepted.

If I were able to deny students based on their parentage, then neither Nash nor Myles would’ve been enrolled. ”

I understood his position and I agreed that Sabastian was most likely innocent of any wrongdoing where his father was concerned. But I was genuinely worried about what might happen when Nash and Sabastian collided…and they would. Like two stallions in the same field, a fight was inevitable.

“I wish I could be more help, Ren, truly I do. But when it comes to student attending Wayward, I must follow the school guidelines. The plus side of having Sabastian on the property is that he is now under the same rules as everyone else. He cannot attack you or any of your friends. If he does, that is cause for…permanent removal,” he said, and I swallowed hard.

I was pretty sure that he didn’t mean expulsion.

Dean Henry finished off his tea and stood up. He walked around to sit on the corner of his desk. “May I ask you a personal question?”

“Of course.”

“Do you want Sabastian to leave?”

I searched my heart for the answer and wished that I could just say yes. But my anger for Christov hadn’t bled over to Sabastian. So much of what happened had affected him, too.

“I want him stay…to stay. He is angry at me. But…want to repair damage,” I said, and Dean Henry smiled. It was small, but it was as warm as the one when I first sat down.

“You’re caught between two very difficult positions.

So how about this? I’ll ensure that when Sabastian moves in after Christmas break that his dorm room is at the other end of the hall from Nash.

They won’t share any of the same classes.

Swim is over for the season, but if they both decide to continue training, they won’t be allowed in the pool at the same time.

I’ll do my best to keep them separated.”

I wasn’t sure why I felt compelled, but I stood and wrapped my arms around him in a hug. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said softly as he gave me a one-armed squeeze in return.

Pulling back, I wiped the tears from my eyes.

I’d been emotional since Monday, and my run-in with Sabastian had kept playing over the memories of the two of us.

How he smiled, held my hand, and made me laugh.

Once upon a time, we’d been friends…no, we’d been family, and both of our lives had been changed forever when my mum ran.

“Have a good day,” I said, turning to leave.

“Ren,” Dean Henry said as I reached the door. I looked back.

“Your mother would be proud of who you’ve become.”

I bit my lip to keep from crying as we stared at one another for a moment, then he walked over to his window. I slipped out before I started bawling in his office.

Stepping out into the hall, I took a deep breath and then decided to visit Blake.

Nash and Liam didn’t have exams today, and Theo had finished this morning.

Myles was still here for a meeting with his lacrosse coach, and Blake was in his tutoring session.

It was ending soon, and I really wanted to see him in action.

The classroom he was using today was in this building down the hall. I found it easily enough. The door was open and I snuck closer until I could see in and hear what was going on. Blake was strutting up and down the rows while his class watched him.

He suddenly pointed at one of the boys.

“Remy, what is one adaptation that helps birds survive in different environments, and how does it improve their chances of survival?”

“Ha, give me a harder question next time. Beaks are one adaptation. For example, hummingbirds have long, narrow beaks for reaching nectar deep inside flowers, while eagles have sharp, hooked beaks for tearing meat. These beak shapes help the birds get the food they need to survive in their specific environments.”

“Very good,” Blake said, and continued like he was choosing randomly. But I knew Blake. He’d designed his questions to help each student with their weaknesses.

He was in his element. I’d never seen him so confident in the way he walked and how he carried himself. I loved it and loved that Dean Henry had asked him.

Blake turned around and spotted me lurking. He smiled and waved me into the class. All eyes turned to me. It was…unnerving, and I felt like more of a spectacle here than on my first day at Wayward. I sat down in the teacher’s chair.

“Everybody, this is my girlfriend, Ren,” Blake said, and I waved at the class. “Ren, do you want to give Camden a math question? It has to be bird-related,” he said, and I swallowed hard.

“Who Camden?” A boy raised his hand before he crossed his arms and stared at me. “Bird flies constant speed twenty-five…MPH. How far fly in three and half hours?”

I shook my head, knowing I’d screwed up so much of that sentence, but I had to get more comfortable speaking under pressure.

“Um…why do you talk like that,” Camden asked, but he didn’t seem to be making fun, more curious.

“You don’t have to answer that,” Blake said, glaring at Camden.

“What? I’m curious,” he said, and I smiled.

“Blake…it’s okay.” Taking a moment to glance around the room, I smiled at the kids. “I was in…a car…accident,” I said slowly, making sure to get all the words correct.

“Damn…will you be like this forever,” another one of the boys asked.

I shrugged. “Hope not.”

“So, you’re learning how to speak again,” one of the girls asked.

“Yes. I miss words…when I talk…too fast. Or I can’t remember word needed.”

“No cap, you’re legit,” the boy Remy said, making me feel a bit less self-conscious.

Blake’s phone went off, and I jumped.

“Alright, that’s it until next semester. Remember, you all have my number. If you need anything, call,” Blake said, grabbing his backpack. He pulled out small, wrapped packages. “Troy…catch.” Blake threw one of the gifts. “Angel.” He tossed another.

“What are these for,” a very soft-spoken girl with large earphones on asked.

“Because you all killed it. Merry Christmas,” Blake said as they came up to hit his knuckles before leaving.

“You’re not as lame as I thought you were going to be,” Angel said on his way out.

“Thanks, I think,” Blake answered, making me laugh.

Camden stopped and stared at Blake, and then at the gift in his hands. It looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words.

“Eighty-seven and a half,” Camden said.

“What,” Blake asked, but I smirked.

“The answer to the question is eighty-seven-and-a-half miles,” Camden said, looking at me. “Sorry about the accident, hospitals suck ass,” he said, then walked out. He seemed to be carrying a lot of metaphorical weight on his shoulders, and it hurt my heart to see it.

Blake couldn’t hide the strain on his face. He wanted to run after the kid. I stood up and closed the door to give us some privacy. Then, I placed my hand over his heart, and he smiled.

“He’s been through some really dark stuff,” Blake said, shaking his head. “I just wish there was more I could do, you know?”

“You have given him…a safe…” I stopped talking, and the word flitted away like one of the birds they had discussed in class. My brain still felt like that, like the window had been left open to let words and thoughts escape.

“Space,” Blake finished for me.

“Thanks.” My cheeks warmed, still hating that I needed so much help. It didn’t seem like much to everyone else, but to me… it felt like a lot.

My hair was down today, and Blake ran it through his fingers.

“I know, but it doesn’t feel like it’s enough. A safe space is the bare minimum. I could be doing so much more with these kids to make sure they don’t end up like…well, like me, or worse. If you hadn’t been there that day?—”

Placing my finger on his lips, I stopped that train of thought right there. Blake had been doing so well since his overdose. The thought picked at the back of my mind all the time, but thinking about it only made me panic.