Ronan could tell just where Stacia's reaction was going the moment she clenched her jaw. It resembled his own body language whenever someone pissed him off or just irritated him. But the way she spoke and the words she said reminded him of Declan. His contained rage that leaked through whenever Ronan defended their father.

Niall Lynch hadn't helped Declan and, Ronan knew that his father hadn't helped him either. Those were words he could say just as easily. His father hadn't taught him anything, even when he dreamed a flaming sword that nearly burned down his room. His father hadn't warned him about the people who wanted to kill them. His father had died.

If Ronan looked uncomfortable, it was from more than just Stacia's reaction. Some truths he just wasn't ready to face.

"Makes sense," he said quietly. And then, "I was never expelled. I dropped out."