Wicked Games Academy

CHAPTER 37

Make my father the new king?

I sat between my brothers and Clive the next morning. We waited in silence for the sisters who came down late, because they had to dress up, fix their hair, and even accessorize.

I had declined and Clive didn't seem surprised, and then he pulled me up and I sat on his bed for a while before I left.

Even now, I was stunned to know that I didn't want to be a knight anymore. But I'd have to continue to succeed in Graycotts unless I wanted Clive to fail.

Since now it didn't matter which sister Jonathan chose, I asked Richie when father was returning.

"Strangely the master changed the date recently without giving reason, he'll arrive after you return to Graycotts Academy, so the middle of August," Richie said.

"As expected," I murmured.

I left the hall feeling sick to my stomach. Jonathan might be swayed by father now that his new family will be a new pawn, and Daniel wouldn't fight back. But father betraying His Majesty seemed so unthinkable.

I thought of Goldenvale and how we children all wanted to be a knight—to be of use to our country of gold. What a joke!

A few nights later I invited Clive over to my room. I had a bottle of wine from Daniel and although I hadn't drank it before I prepared two glasses and poured myself a drink first.

It tasted sweet and bitter and I enjoyed it. Daniel had called it "dry" but to me it tasted fine.

Clive sneaked in and I lit lanterns so he could sit at my small bedside table on my bed.

"Are you still not feeling good after that night?" he whispered. We didn't want to be heard.

"You know something? It's the most loyal people who have access to ruin you most." I looked at Clive. "The person you trust most can hurt you most, too."

"And?" Clive held in a smile. "Getting philosophical when drunk, huh? I didn't expect this from you, Rottings."

"Shut up. Drink," I slurred.

The light danced on Clive's face as he drank, like a grownup.

We were eighteen now. We didn't celebrate birthdays after we reached five and ten because it meant we would 'most likely' survive, so every new year we had we were that age.

"We will be twelve years soon, and then take the knight exams." I reached out to touch Clive's hair and his ears again. "We will kill again. I don't want that."

"We have half a month before that," he said.

"No. I want the pleasure I had with you, but I won't be returning to the academy," I said. "I'm sure."

"You're leaving me?" His voice grew and his wineglass hit the table in shock.

"What can I do? I guess I shall match with Daniel. Two sons with eyepatches." I laughed to myself, feeling warm and 'tipsy' or how people describe the feeling.

Clive stood up and dragged my out of the chair and to my bed.

"Don't leave me, Nathan, you're all I have!" He kissed me without cease.

"No! I can't go back to academy now!" I was shouting with my voice as low as possible, thinking and fearing that white mask on that eerie Headmaster. "Leave. I can't believe this."

"No! We are partners. I need to be with you—I will be with you."

I closed my eyes and I couldn't cry, I simply disregarded my sadness to hold onto Clive. We fell to bed, clothed and just warming each other, fitting like two jigsaw puzzles.