Reluctantly, Amund opens the door, revealing a flight of stairs.
No sign of them.
The muscles in my legs are screaming by the time we finally reach the top. Outside, the tower isn’t empty at all. Two berserkr boys whisper to each other, sharing a romantic moment. There are hunters and witches too, but everyone here is… embracing, actually. Or more. I clear my throat, suddenly feeling awkward as I look around at all the couples, their mouths locked together.
I lower my voice until it’s a whisper. “Seems like the tower is a popular spot tonight.”
Amund frowns. “Normally, by the time I come here, I have the place to myself.”
Tala and Isaac are standing on the opposite side, their backs turned to us. Unlike the other couples, they aren’t making out. They lean together on the wall, having a heated exchange.
“I shouldn’t blame myself?” Isaac asks. “Seriously, Tala?”
I try to listen in but pick up another conversation instead.
“The northern lights were supposed to be visible tonight,” a hunternear us says. “Damn it, I really wanted to watch them with you, but there’s too many clouds.”
The witch he’s with grins. “Lucky for you, I think I can do something about that.”
I lean closer to Amund. “Can you hear what they’re saying?”
He shakes his head. “Too much chatter.”
“Come on,” I say, tugging on Amund’s sleeve. “We have to get closer.”
I claim one of the free spots along the wall, closer to Tala and Isaac. They must not have noticed us. Yet. I lean over the ledge as I look out at the campus. Amund was right. You can see all of Skallagrim from here. The aurora borealis is covered, but it gives the clouds a gentle green glow, reminding me of one of Bea’s watercolor paintings.
Amund and I fall silent, listening.
“This is such a mess.” Isaac leans on the outlook, hanging his head. “It’s all my fucking fault Emilía is dead.”
Amund and I exchange a look. Sounds like a confession to me.
Tala rests a hand on Isaac’s back. “If it’s your fault, then it’s mine, too.”
He pulls away from her like she burned him. “When are you going to tellthem?” Isaac asks, suddenly emotional. “How long are we going to keep pretending?”
Tala sighs heavily. “Soon. I just don’t want to disappoint them. You have no idea how much trouble I’d be in if they found out I was lying to them this whole time. My parents are both on the board.”
Isaac frowns, turning toward her. “I know, but your feelings matter more.”
He’s looking in our direction. Shit.
I whirl around to face Amund, hoping Isaac didn’t notice me. I end up staring at Amund instead of hiding. The white button-down he’s wearing emphasizes how broad his shoulders are. Our eyes meet. Silent understanding passes between us. I reach up for his shoulders and restmy hands on them, running my fingers over them gently. Just so we blend in with everyone else.
There’s a break in the clouds, revealing bright green ribbons of light in the dark sky. Everyone around us gasps, tilting their heads up to look at the aurora. A sense of awe and wonder expands inside my chest as I take in its beauty.
Behind us, Isaac and Tala turn around to leave.
I can’t be seen with Amund. Especially nothere.
If they realize we’re tailing them, it’s all over. Before they can see me, I grab Amund by his collar and pull him against me so he’s blocking me from view. Behind him, the aurora borealis dances in the sky. I press my lips to his to make it more convincing.
Amund’s eyes widen, taken aback by my boldness.
I’m not sure he realizes it’s just to blend in and avoid being caught. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. But as my mouth moves over his, it’s hard to stop myself from kissing him. At first Amund seems caught off guard, like me kissing him was the last thing he expected when he brought me up here.
But then his hands close over my hips. He pulls me against his body and kisses me with a hunger. Something inside me responds, meeting his mouth with equal intensity. My heart pounds and my head spins as I kiss him like it’s a competition.
