Iwas the one in control of myself. No one else.
I focused on my magic, on bending it to my will, and slowly, the starlight started to recede, flowing back into me in a swirling, sparkling maelstrom.
“That was magnificent!” Ndrita praised, as I slumped against Calix. I was thankful for his unyielding strength in this moment, when I felt too spent to stand on my own.
“As much as your rage becomes you, seeing you take control of your power is truly just as sexy,” Calix murmured in my ear, his sister rolling her eyes in my peripheral. I couldn’t help the small smile that slipped out, tilting my head back to look up at him.
“I have to admit, having someone beside me that I know I can lean on, someone I can trust, helps more than I expected,” I admitted lowly.
It felt like my heart beat double for a moment, and I realized I was actually feeling Calix through the bond. His genuine awe at my thankfulness for his presence made me unspeakably sad. He truly deserved a better mate than me. Someone less closed off, more put together, willing to jump into the relationship destiny laid out for them.
But I’d always been difficult.
* * *
I’d only just managedto wash up after training before Delia was barreling into my room to help me get ready for our afternoon plans.
“What exactly are we doing?” I asked, confused, as she laid out a supposed outfit on the bed.
She huffed in amusement, brown eyes sparkling. “We’re going swimming!”
“And… what is that?” I raised a brow at her as she came to a standstill, seeming to shake herself.
“Right.” She paused, before clapping her hands, her smile appearing once more. “Out back, we have a pool. It’s for swimming or just lying by it. A pool party, specifically, is when a bunch of people get together by the pool. Swimsuits are the preferred attire, though women often wear cover-ups over them.”
She indicated the bed, where she laid out my outfit. I’d, of course, seen the pool out back, but I’d never really understood its purpose. I was told it was a pool, and that was about all the explanation I’d gotten. There was always some new thing around here to discover.
I rifled through the options Delia had laid out, and found myself drawn to the dark purple swimsuit.
“It’s a bikini.” Delia smiled, “Here, wear it with this!” She held up a silvery see-through dress. I changed into the bikini, admiring the way it complimented my body, before throwing the dress over it. It fell to my mid-thighs, and it clung to them for dear life. The top half fell off my shoulder on one side, and it billowed loosely around my midsection.
I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, loving that I was free to choose my own outfits. That I could dress sexy whenIwanted to and cover up when I wanted to. Such a simple thing that meant so much.
Delia ran to get herself ready once I was done, and I made my way down to the pool.
“Are you ready for this?” I turned with a smile as Priscilla’s voice reached me, her arm landing around my shoulders.
“I can’t wait. I’ve never done anything like it.” I was truly excited, and knowing Calix had set this up for me, just so I could relax and have fun with my friends, made that warm feeling I refused to name rise inside me once more. Pulsating with the need to reach out and bring him to me.
And he’d likely be shirtless for this.
Nox, I was in so much trouble.
“So, how are things going with Callisto?” I elbowed her, dying to hear the latest news.
Priscilla blushed, ducking her head and bringing a grin to my lips.
“They’re really good.” She admitted, the pink blush still staining her cheeks, even as her brown eyes nearly glowed. “We’re going slowly. She knows my past is…”
She trailed off, and the grin slipped off my lips. I knew Priscilla had dealt with horrors of her own in Dusk, but she always obfuscated when it was mentioned.
“But she’s willing to go at my pace,” she murmured quietly.
“That’s great, Pris.” I enthused with a broad smile. “You, of all people, deserve happiness.”
Priscilla smiled at me, but there was something in her eyes that had me grabbing her elbow and bringing her to a stop in the hallway. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wron—” She cut off when I gave her my bestI don’t believe youface. She sighed after a moment. “I don’t want her to fight.”
