Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,265

brother had gifted me too, liking the way it made me feel closer to him.

I’d wanted to go flying with him and Tory tonight, but the weather was only getting worse. When I checked my Atlas, I found a text from my brother saying there were storms all across the kingdom, but the sun would be out tomorrow so we should go then instead.

I pulled a navy hoody on over my sports bra, leaving the zip open as I dried out my hair. The last of the other girls filed out of the room and I looked over to Geraldine who was putting on makeup in the mirror.

“Going somewhere tonight?” I asked curiously.

“Justin and I are meeting up for a late supper,” she said, powdering her nose.

“Oh, like a date?” I asked curiously and she shook her head.

“Oh no my sweet Darcy, I do not date. I spread my lady seed as far and wide as I can until my days of unshackled courtship come to a close. My marriage to Justin, the little worm, will be the end of it, but sometimes…”

“What?” I asked as she sighed heavily, her shoulders heaving and dropping.

She glanced at me with emotion glazing her eyes and I rested a hand on her shoulder as my heart tugged.

“Well, lately,” she lowered her voice. “My Lady Petunia craves to have her garden watered by one single devilish dandelion.”

“Max?” I whispered, excitement running through me. I knew Geraldine’s political stance was holding her back from giving herself to Max, but I wished it didn’t have to. They were polar opposites but somehow they found a balance between them that just worked.

She nodded, sucking her lower lip then suddenly fell to her knees and wailed. “Oh, my Queen, I have wronged you by that admission! He is an Heir – a ghastly Heir! And I would never align myself with such a lout! Never!”

“It’s okay, Geraldine.” I drew her to her feet as she released a croaking sob. “Max is a good guy. Screw politics. If you like him, then go for it. Tory and Darius are meant for each other, so why not you and Max?”

“Oh my lady, if only it were so simple. And my lady Tory and her Darry man are an exception chosen by the stars themselves. He will eventually inevitably bend the knee when she puts a pin in his astoundingly large head.” She sniffed and I really hated that politics had to mean so much to her and that she wholeheartedly believed some pre-arranged engagement had to be stuck to. I didn’t care who she dated. Alright, I wouldn’t be thrilled if she joined the Clara party and started dating Lionel and calling him Daddy, but pretty much anyone else in Solaria was fair game. Except Orion. Nope, go away unwanted thought.

The door pushed open and Seth came walking in like he owned the world in just a pair of sweatpants with a bag slung over his shoulder. “Wanna walk back to Aer Tower with me, Darcy?” he asked. “The guys have gone.”

I looked to Geraldine and she nodded, waving me away as she turned to the mirror to reapply her makeup. “I’ll see you in the morrow. I shall have a feast of buttery bagels ready in the Hollow at dawn.”

“You don’t have to,” I said like always, but she waved me off again, because she always would. She was too damn good of a friend.

I headed out of the door with Seth, walking through the quiet halls together, relishing breaking Lionel’s little Orderist law. Ever since Orion had helped me with my illusion spells, I was getting seriously good at them. I could make myself look like a fluffy grey Werewolf padding along at Seth’s side whenever I liked, so hanging out with him and the other Heirs around campus had become a little easier.

“I wanna go for a run before we head back, I thought you might like the ride?” Seth asked and I scowled.

“I’m still pissed at you,” I reminded him.

“Oh right,” he said, cocking his head to one side and giving me a puppyish look. “Forgive me, babe. I just wanted to make Cal jealous. And did you see him run over? I think it might have worked.”

“I don’t think you should play games like that,” I said, clapping him in the ear. “It’s not cool.”

He whined low in his throat. “But jealousy is so fucking efficient at making people show their real feelings,” he reasoned.

“True,