Page 17 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

“Why does she lock the door during lunch?” I ask in a low voice.

Riley giggles. “I wouldn’t want to be interrupted during my only break of the day. Would you?”

“Probably not…” My voice trails off, and I look down the hallway.

Students are waiting to get into the academic wing. Caleb catches my eye, immediately frowning. His beautiful lips tip down, down, down, until I fear they might slide right off his face. Liam and Theo are horsing around, throwing a football, and Eli is in the middle of them trying to intercept it.

“Why’s he staring at you?” Riley whispers.

“Great question.”

“Caleb!” Savannah brushes past me, headed straight for him. She walks right up to him, unafraid, and touches his chest.

He glances at her, but his gaze switches back to me. His blue eyes sear a hole in my soul.

He touches Savannah’s shoulder and moves past her, zeroing in on me.

“Oh dear.” Riley gulps. “Why—”

He stops right in front of me, impossibly tall.

“Where do you go?” he demands.

“What?”

“For lunch, Sheep. You vanish.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, do I report to you now?” I cross my arms over my chest.

His eyes flick down, lingering on the opening of my shirt for a heartbeat before his eyes trail upward. His movements are slow and steady, everything in complete control.

In opposition, my heart is racing.

“You should,” he says. “Haven’t you heard?”

“Heard what?” I raise my eyebrows.

“That I’m the fucking king of this castle, Sheep. And you’re just that… a sheep.”

“You’re ridiculous,” I snap.

He grins. “Ridiculous.”

“Yes.”

“You think I’m ridiculous.” His voice is getting louder.

Riley edges away from me.

“How?”

I stare at him.

He takes a step closer, invading my space. I try not to show any fear. It snatches at me the way wind grabs at leaves in a hurricane. Without remorse.

His face is carefully blank, but his eyes show the storm inside him. He’s angry, unimaginably pissed, and it’s directed at me. His fury, his fire… I’m on the receiving end of all of it.

It’s easy to see that now, when we’re inches apart.