“Mom and dad…might have pulled some strings before we enrolled as candidates,” Rafe says, “just in case we got admitted as cadets.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, which just makes me burst out laughing. “Nepotism!?” I chide, shaking my head at him. “You used nepotism to get the best suite in the
I hurry along with my brother and my cousin, staring around at the stone hallway that meets in gothic arches above our heads, at the windows scattered along the right-hand wall that look out over the landscape. I grin, because I thought I’d gotten used to the view from the barracks – but this high
I am instantly at home, and instantly in love. “I mean, I know it’s small,” Rafe says, running a hand anxiously through his hair, “but we thought you’d want to room with us, and we wanted to give you a little more privacy –“ “I love it!” I shout, hurling myself at my brother and wrapping my arms
The next thirty minutes are…the most indulgent of my life. I think I groan in pleasure at least sixty times as I soak my body in the steaming hot water, as I soap every inch of my skin, as I finally – finally – wash my hair with real shampoo and conditioner instead of that horrible stuff we were s
“I’m two fights down and do like it,” he says, giving me a warm smile. “I mean, it’s nothing like this…” he gestures around at our rather expansive room. “Really?” I ask, genuinely curious. “What’s different?” “Well, it’s just me,” he says, shrugging. “I think that’s pretty normal though – after
Rafe looks at me with a little grimace, slowly taking the envelope out of the box and moving to tuck it into his back pocket for later, not wanting to make me watch. “No, read it!” I say, flapping my hands at him and working hard to tuck my disappointment low in my stomach. Because, I mean, I know
Jesse groans, covering his face with his hands and falling back in his chair, but Rafe just leans forward, his tone still dangerous even if Jesse and I have given it up. “Who the fuck have you told, Ben?” Ben is silent for a second, the picture of shock. But then he leans forward, staring into R
I continue glaring at Jesse, but Rafe moves on with his interrogation of Ben. “What makes you think Luca hasn’t figured out that Ariel’s a girl?” Rafe says as he leans forward, eager for Ben’s answer and apparently deciding to trust him. “I don’t think Luca knows because he hasn’t tried to hit o