Amund and I exchange a quick, shocked look.
“Just a moment,” I call, panic pounding through me. Nils absolutely cannot find us together. Especially not alone in my room like this, after whatever was just about to happen.
Amund opens his mouth, but I hold up a finger to my lips, widening my eyes.
We both look around the room, desperate.The closet.I hurry over and pull it open, motioning for Amund to get inside. He looks reluctant, to say the least, but nods. He’s so large he can barely fit inside. That has to be uncomfortable, but I force the doors shut before he can protest, sealing him away.
After straightening my dress, I rush to the door. “Sorry, just finishing getting ready.”
“You look beautiful.” Nils beams at me, holding out a bouquet of flowers. “This is for you.”
He wears a tan-colored suit with a dark bow tie. He looks rather sophisticated, and I suspect his mother had a hand in getting him ready. Except for his hair—it’s still all curly and loose.
“It’s an assortment of wildflowers,” Nils continues nervously. “Arctic thyme, sheep sorrel, harebell. It seemed fitting for you.” A blush spreads across his cheeks. “I hope you like it.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking the bouquet from him. I breathe in the scent—they’re fresh and still fragrant, the light floral scent reminding me of running through a field blanketed by wildflowers, wild and open and free. “They’re perfect.”
Nils grins and holds out his arm to me. “Ready?”
I pause, my fingers tightening around the stems of the flowers until I’m strangling them.
“Of course,” I say, forcing a smile.
But as I take Nils’s arm, I can only think of Amund.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIXAMUND
I head inside the Unity Dance.
Balloons and streamers are festooned everywhere I look, but the low, thumping music sets me on edge. The gymnasium is packed with people. Not just current students but alumni, friends, and family.Allof Skallagrim is gathered tonight. Helga is making the rounds already. Parents are seated at the various tables, eating salmon canapés and pickled herring bites, and keeping an eye on their children. Students are standing around and chatting with their friends while sipping punch.
Val leans against the wall, nursing her own glass as she surveys the crowd. She’s dressed to kill, wearing a plunging black gown with a long slit up the side. Probably so she has better movement. Unlike most people here, she’s all alone.
“You’re late,” Val says once I join her.
I grimace, recalling being crammed in the closet while overhearing Edith and my brother talk. Of course he brought her flowers. The thought never even occurred to me. It’s better for all of us he’s the one accompanying Edith, even if I can’t forget the way I almost loweredmy lips to hers. How badly I wanted to kiss her then.
How badly I still do.
It was agonizing hiding in the closet. Even after I heard her leave with Nils, I remained a few moments, taking the time to collect myself. I had to prepare myself toseethem together at the dance. Just listening to them was difficult.
But I’m not about to tell Val any of that. Not when she’s staring longingly at Tala while she talks with Isaac. Her gaze lingers on Tala’s strapless bloodred dress. I have a feeling Val knows all too well what it’s like to have to watch someone you want being with someone else.
“Anything yet?” I ask her instead.
Val sighs. “Nope.”
I check my suit pocket for the canister of lupine that Father helped me prepare. If—or when—the killer attacks tonight, I’ll be ready this time. Val and I look over the dance floor, watching everyone chat and laugh and have a good time, occasionally sipping from their glasses of punch. I find myself searching the sea of faces for Edith, even though I know she’ll be with my brother. Part of me longs to see her in that dress again, even if she’s dancing with Nils instead of me.
Isaac glances our way. He leans in and whispers to Tala before jogging over to us with a glass in hand. “What’s up?”
“Still on lookout,” I tell him. “Have you scented anything?”
“Not yet.” He turns to Val. “You know, if you want to ask Tala to dance, now’s your chance.”
Val scoffs. “Why would I want to dance withyourdate?”
“She isn’t. We broke up.” Isaac rubs the back of his neck, giving an uneasy laugh. “We’re just friends. That’s all we’ve ever been, honestly. We only pretended to be dating because she didn’t want to disappoint her parents, but she finally told them about our breakup. Tala is here by herself.”
