Page 78 of Storm Caller

“You were cleared.”

“Like that matters.” I pause. “And besides, we are lying.”

“With a valid reason, and they don’t know that. Anyway, people are on your side.”

I huff out a breath of tepid agreement.

“I think it must have helped with your trial. Public sentiment swung in your favor, and they cleared you to prove they aren’t just randomly accusing innocent people.”

“Do you think Sol is responsible for that?”

“It would make sense. I guess that’s what she was doing when she left us in the Veil.”

I don’t answer, still not convinced I ever want to leave this room.

“Henry’s running a training session for second-year cadets this afternoon,” Rook says. “Are you planning to skip that, too?”

“Maybe,” I say, and he rolls his eyes.

“I had no idea you could be so dramatic, Poet Graves.”

I snort a wry laugh. “You know exactly how dramatic I can be.”

He smiles brightly and leans in to kiss me. “That’s true. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

I glow even brighter at those words, like I’ve swallowed drops of sunshine. It feels good to be loved. For real this time. Not Knox’s brand of faux ownership. Nor my father’s brand of exerting control.

“I like being alone in this room with you,” I say softly. “Can’t we just do this forever?”

His smile turns catlike. “I mean, I’ll stay in this bed with you until the end of time. Gladly.” He rolls me over and gives my butt a firm slap. I yelp-laugh as my stomach tightens and warmth tingles down my thighs. “But eventually, someone will come looking for us. You want your parents to see you like this? Hair mussed. Lips swollen. You’re a fucking goddess.”

I scoff. “I don’t care anymore.”

He tips his head, his expression softening. “You know that isn’t true.”

I nod, my hair rustling against the pillow. “I’m dreading dinner with them. Is that a terrible thing to say?”

“They betrayed your trust. Abandoned you when you needed them over something completely trivial.”

“I’m surprised they want to see me at all. Though it was my mother who asked. I could tell my father wanted to object.”

“None of this is your fault,” he says. “You know that, right?”

“I guess.” I sit up and peer out the window, watching the clouds gather. “I want to ask my dad why he didn’t turn Raine or me in. I just can’t figure it out.”

“I’ll come with you,” Rook says. “To dinner. I can be your buffer.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. I refuse to subject you to whatever they might say or do.”

“I’ll be fine,” he says. “I can handle it.”

I shake my head. “You shouldn’t have to handle anything. Though I do wish they could get to know you as I do. To see how good and brave you are.”

He sinks onto the edge of the bed. “Then let me come.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Perfect. Let me know when.”