“Yes, but seeing as my tutor just walked away...” I let out a big sigh and shake my head. “I’ve gotta blow off some steam. You comin’ or what?”
“Fine. Kicking your ass around the field will probably make me feel better anyway.”
I let out a laugh—a big one—and the librarian immediately materializes around a stack of books and shushes me.
And I’ll take that as my cue to go.
Even if I’m not any closer to understanding these runes...
Or rescuing my spot on the runeball team.
Chapter 3
Poppy
THERE’S A BURST OF LAUGHTER from up in the loft, where Maeve, Alina, and Lyra are, and I smile to myself at the sound of it. I’ve never had friends like them, have never really felt at home with other girls my age. For as long as I can remember, it’s just been me and my mom, in the café, baking and frosting and laughing until our sides hurt.
But this summer, I really missed the girls. I missed Alina’s royal eye rolls and Lyra’s infectious laugh and Maeve’s easy smile. And now that we’re all together again, it feels likeI’mall together again, like missing them made me feel like a part of me was missing.
The thought makes me shake my head, and I take another sip of my lavender tea before turning the page of my book. Alina gifted it to me, and I just started it this morning, but I’m already halfway through. It’s about a mortal healer who saves a fairy prince and is then kidnapped and taken away tohis court of shadows. I don’t read a lot of romance books, but after the first two chapters, I was hooked.
And as my eyes scan the page, my cheeks start to heat up.
Alina didn’t tell me it wasthatkind of book. Not that I’m complaining.
I keep reading, body growing warmer as the prince’s mouth explores the healer’s ear, then her neck, then her—
A loud knock at the door startles me, and I almost spill my tea on the book. That would’ve been a tragedy.
None of the girls seem to have heard it, if their continued conversation is any indication.
“Someone’s at the door!” I call up to them. But the only response is more laughter.
There’s another knock.
I bite my lip, look at the door, and then glance into the loft again. No one is coming down.
Setting my book and teacup on the table next to the couch, I push to my feet, then cross our sitting room and pull the door open.
And my gaze immediately has to goup.
“Hey.” Maeve’s half-orc stepbrother smiles down at me, his tusks pronounced where they extend up from his lower lip. “I know you. You’re that smart witch in my cooking class.” He leans in the doorway and crosses his arms. His very big, very orcish arms.
My cheeks get a bit warmer.
“I-I’m Poppy,” I say, immediately hating how timid my voice sounds. “I’m Maeve’s roommate. We... uh... met last year, actually.”
Aric tips his head, one of his brows arching. “We did?”
I nod. “I fell in the snow on the runeball field. You... helped me up.”
I’ve not been able to get that embarrassment out of my mind since it happened.
Another moment of consideration ticks by. Then Aric’s hazel eyes brighten, and his lips pull up into a smile. “Yes! I remember now.” His laugh is a low rumble, and it serves only to make my cheeks tingle. “I’m glad you were okay.”
My heart thumps hard, though I’m not sure why.
“Who’s at the door, Pops?”
