“Okay, good. It’d be unfortunate to have to walk all the way back to Wysteria if we forgot it.”
“Couldn’t your dragon just fly us?” Lyra asks. “I’m already sick of walking.” She and Maeve are lagging somewhat behind us due in part to their shared dislike of mornings.
“Or maybe he could just eat you,” Raelan grumbles, his dark eyes cutting a look at her over his shoulder.
Lyra’s lips turn up on one side, and she tips her head. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
Maeve barks out a sudden laugh, and I shake my head.
Alina groans. “Ly, stop flirting with my fiancé.”
“Sorry. He just makes it too easy. Seriously.”
Raelan just slings an arm over Alina’s shoulders and pulls her close to press a kiss to her head.
We laugh together, walking through the cool air beneath the winter sunlight. The plan is to walk into Wysteria, where we’ll drop the design at the printer. Professor Silvermoon has already been in touch with the printing shop, and they’re going to do a rush printing for us—thank the goddess, since I was late finalizing the design. They should have the invitations printed by the time we’re done dress shopping, so we’ll pick them up on our way back to the academy. Maybe we’ll even have time to swing by the café and say hello to my mom. I could bring something back for Aric. He’s been studying so hard lately; maybe a sweet treat would cheer him up.
I smile to myself. I’m just reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear when a flash of red in my periphery catches my attention. My head turns, and my stomach sinks like a stone.
It’s Morgan, Aric’s ex. And . . .
Aric.
He must’ve just finished runeball practice—they’ve had more practices than usual lately, trying to prepare for the big game against their rivals, the Sigil Strikers. Morgan’s team.
Aric’s athletics bag hangs from his shoulder, and he’s got a towel draped around his neck. Some strands of dark hair have come loose from his topknot, and his skin gleams in the cool air. Seeing him makes my heart squeeze.
He and Morgan are standing close, their body language calm and confident. It’s clear how comfortable they are with each other.
I’ve never asked Aric how far he and Morgan went together, but imagining himwithher, their skin pressed together, makes me feel slightly sick to my stomach. And that feeling only intensifies when Morgan tips her head back with a laugh and puts a hand on his arm, making him smile.
“What is it?” Lyra says as she and Maeve finally catch up.
They both follow my line of sight.
“Oh, it’s Aric. Should we invite him to come to Wysteria with us?” Lyra asks. She takes a step forward and draws breath, as if preparing to shout his name, but I quickly grab her arm and tug her back.
“No, don’t.” My voice comes out sharper than I intended, and it makes Lyra turn back and arch a crimson brow at me.
“Why not? What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just... Aric’s had a lot going on, and I already dragged him into Wysteria with me the other day. I don’t want him to feel obligated to come. And besides, I already told him I didn’t want him to come dress shopping. Too embarrassing.” I give Lyra a smile and hope she doesn’t see right through it.
Maeve stands next to me, crossing her arms as she watches Morgan and Aric talk. They exchange a few more words and smiles, and then they part ways, Aric heading back toward the castle while Morgan walks toward the runeball field. Maeve’s sharp gaze follows Aric until he disappears, and then she glances down at me.
“Is everything okay between the two of you?” she asks. “You’ve both seemed a bit... distracted lately.”
So, Maeve has noticed something going on with him too? I’m glad it’s not just me.
“I think it’s just Aric’s stress over finals.” I resume walking, and thankfully, Lyra and Maeve fall in on either side of me. I’m glad Lyra didn’t try to catch Aric’s attention. “He’s trying really hard.”
“Okay.” Maeve doesn’t sound quite convinced, but she slips her hand into mine and gives it a squeeze. “But if you ever want to get anything off your chest, you know I’m here. Lyra, not so much, but—”
“Hey! I will scorch you, storm witch,” Lyra snaps, but her threat rolls right off Maeve’s shoulders. She links her arm through mine, tugging me away from Maeve. “I’m always here for Poppy. Right, Pops?”
Their argument over me makes me smile and laugh atruelaugh. After growing up a bit of an outcast as a child, I’ll never take these friendships for granted.
“Hey!” Alina calls from where she and Raelan are already standing under the barbican, waiting on us. “Hurry up! We’ve got shopping to do!”
