House of Ash and Shadow (Gilded City, #1)

by Leia Stone

“You said I couldn’t control how people treated me, but I could control my reaction to their mistreatment. That it would define who I was.”

“Well, the moral of the story is to be kind to others but defend yourself if you must.”

“Come back with me tomorrow and see Headmaster Clarke at The Academy.” My head reeled back in shock. “Why the Nightling would I do that?” He looked me up and down again, slowly, and my stomach warmed. “Because you have more magic than anyone I’ve ever met. I can smell it on you, like a sharp, aged whiskey. You belong here.”

I knew in that moment that no matter what Ariyon did to me, no matter how cruel my four years here were with him at The Academy, I would never be able to hate a single hair on his head. I owed him everything.

Sometimes I rolled myself really tightly in a blanket just to feel pressure on my skin, but I would never admit that to anyone. Oh, how I longed to be full-body hugged or picked up like the boys did to their girlfriends. I’d bet it felt good.

“Ayden!” I ran for him, but Ariyon put out a hand to stop me, placing it right on my bare chest. “You’ve done enough, Fallon. Please leave,” he growled, and shame burned through me so hot I couldn’t help the tears that burned the back of my eyes. He thought this had to do with me? “Don’t talk to her like that!” Ayden snapped from his place on the ground. “Let’s go home.” Eden tugged on my sleeve.

‘Let’s get one thing clear. I am loyal to you and you alone, Fallon Bane. If you need my help, I offer it without question. If your heart breaks, my heart breaks too. If someone seeks to harm you, I will harm them no matter who they are or what title they carry. And if you go insane with darkness and become a Nightling, then I too go with you.’

“And what if I go dark?” I whimpered. His face sobered. “Then I will jump into the shadows and pull you back to the Light.”