I glance back. He’s finished doing up his vest buttons, and now he leans in the doorway, reminding me of one of those flowers that lures you in with its pretty petals, only to swallow you whole. Vampires are terrifying like that. I almost take anotherstep back.
“He will?”
Felex nods. “He’s planning on it. And I wish I could watch him try to waltz with those two left feet of his, but alas, I have another engagement. So you’ll have to watch it for me.” His mouth twists into a smirk, and he tips his head. “You’re still going, aren’t you? To the ball?”
I blink, then quickly say, “Um, y-yes. I’ll be there.”
“Good.” This time when Felex smiles, his teethdoshow, and I can’t help but wonder how many necks he’s sunk them into. It makes a shiver go down my spine. “Aric will be pleased.”
My heart jumps.
He will?
I open my mouth, wanting to ask Felex what he means, whether Aric has said something, but he’s already straightening up and reaching for the open door.
“It was lovely meeting you, Poppy Waverly. Remind Aric that he’s damn lucky. And also a bloody idiot.”
Then the door closes in my face, and I’m left standing in the stairwell, blinking in confusion.
But behind my ribs, my heart beats with just a bit more hope.
Because if Aric is going tonight, I might have one last chance to talk to him and tell him how I feel.
I turn and start back down the east tower, more resolve settling into my bones.
Whatever happens, I’m going to that ball, and I’m going to wear my pretty purple dress, and I’m going to tell Aric the truth—the truth I’ve been concealingeven from myself.
That I think I might love him.
And above all, I’m going to have courage. Because falling in love is terrifying, but I’m going to do it anyway.
Chapter 53
Poppy
THE GRAND BALLROOM OF RAVENSCROFT Castle takes my breath away.
I’ve been here before—for the Yule ball the first year I knew Alina—but I’ve never seen it like this. The massive space has been transformed into something out of a dream, all moonlight and magical beauty.
Expansive windows line the soaring walls, the curtains drawn away from each one to reveal the night sky beyond. The blue moon rises against the darkness, flooding the room in silvery radiance. Hundreds of candles float overhead, drifting in lazy patterns, their flames reflected in the polished marble floor below. Enchanted snow falls from the ceiling, vanishing as soon as it lands. And everywhere—winding around the columns, pooling in elegant crystal fountains, swirling through the air itself—is the memory mist Aurora gave us, luminous and ethereal, responding to the emotions of everyone in the room.
It’s breathtaking, and it makes pride warm my chest.
We did it. After everything that happened this semester, Professor Silvermoon and I still made this happen.
“You ready for this?” Alina asks softly, squeezing my hand. She stands beside me, wearing an elegant midnight-blue gown, her long blue hair held back from her face with a sparkling silver headband. Raelan lingers one step behind her, his hand on her low back as his dark eyes sweep the ballroom.
AmI ready for this? My stomach is a knot of nerves, and my heart has been beating hard since we climbed into the carriage back at the academy. I’ve been rehearsing what I want to say to Aric all day—different versions, different phrasings, trying to find the words that will make him understand that I was wrong and scared and, most of all, that I’ve fallen in love with him.
But now that I’m here, standing at the threshold of this beautiful ballroom, all those carefully practiced words feel inadequate.
I take a breath, smoothing down the skirt of my floor-length purple dress. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn—soft fabric that flows like water, colors that shift from lavender to deep purple as I move in the candlelight, with delicate beading along the bust that sparkles with every movement. And thanks to a clever charm Alina did for me before we left, my glasses are invisible, which makes me feel strangely exposed and elegant all at once.
I feel... different. Like someone who might be brave enough to tell a man she loves him.
I draw a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “I’m ready,” I say, and I mean it.
I’m done running, and I’m done letting fear dictate my choices.
