She slowly moved my hand back to her cheek, and she looked up at me. Her eyes flitted to my lips and I leaned in. She smelled like roses with a hint of sandalwood—it was the first time I had picked up a scent from her. And it was enticing.
My lips gently came down on hers, and she welcomed them. Her hands moved to the back of my head, pulling me closer. I could feel her heartbeat against my own chest as if it were my own. My magic swirled inside me, bouncing with joy.
The door to the gym opened. A slight hesitation in Selene’s movements told me she heard it too, but we didn’t part ways just yet. We kissed one more time before she pulled away, her dark brown eyes searching mine for answers I didn’t have.
“I knew you were trouble,” she whispered, almost inaudible, and I grinned at her words.
“Now what makes you think—”
“Sorry to interrupt, Sal,” Sydney said as she stopped halfway down the path, grinning. “I wanted to see if you still wanted to have that movie night we were supposed to start a little bit ago?”
“Oh. Yes.” Selene’s cheeks flushed as she looked from Sydney to me. “Bye, Ender.”
“Bye, Selene.”
One thing Selene didn’t excel at was socializing, but that wasn’t a flaw by a long shot. Her small amount of social quirkiness amused me. It matched my hate for public socializing.
My hand grazed down her arm as she walked away, slowing at her palm before my fingertips completely left hers.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt the you-know-what with the you-know-who that you aren’t interested in,” Sydney whispered to Selene when she reached her.
I caught enough of a glimpse to see that Selene gave her the classicSelene Look, pinning her with a glare. After they were through the doors, I leaned back against the gazebo’s fence and gazed up at the stars.
That was the most remarkable kiss I swear anyone in eternity has ever had.
Chapter Twenty-One
Selene
Myfingersgrazedmystill tingling lips and my head spun as my magic danced across my nerves like they were its own personal dance floor. My own thoughts berated me for leaving Ender, especially after that kiss, but Sydney and I had some late-nightresearchto do.
A slow song played inside the gym-turned-winter-forest-wonderland, and there was an overwhelming buzz from everyone talking, adding to my inability to focus.
“Did Viv leave?’ I asked Sydney as we weaved through students I barely recognized, wishing I could blame it on their formal attire.
“Nope.” Sydney nodded toward the dance floor, and my gaze drifted in that direction.
Viv had her arms around April’s waist, swaying back and forth, smiling as they chatted. I had admired Viv’s beautiful deep-plunged purple dress, and she had curled her hair into long,black ringlets. Now, I admired it in a different light—along with her intense reaction when I had asked her to keep a low profile, which meant hanging out with her new friends less. She had a thing for April—who also looked beautiful with a floral dress and matching flower crown seated in her curled, short red hair. April was very social and always out, which would leave Viv alone in their room.
“Come on.” Sydney nudged me as she grinned. “We gotta go.”
We had research to do.
My math teacher was stationed at the sign-in and check-out book near the door. She seemed to be holding the attention of a guard as she chatted away. I tucked my head and quickly walked past, following Sydney out the door and disregarding the sign-out book.
We made our way inside the main building, its doors typically unlocked until late at night. But getting in wasn’t the problem—it was the locked doors on the inside that would slow us down.
“You couldn’t have picked this pantsuit in literally any other color?” I glanced down at the vibrant white that was a beacon in the dark academy halls. Staying in our dress attire was included in the plan in case we were caught—easier to make up some alibi about post-dance shenanigans.
“White is good for the soul.” Sydney smiled over her shoulder. “Plus, I like white when I use fire magic. It’s a bold look.”
It was too bold.
“You seem very casual about this,” I whispered as she led the way toward Headmaster John’s office. I’d done myexplorationof the academy at night to become familiar with the grounds, but I hadn’t expected Sydney to feel at such ease—but with her skill set, which I would be utilizing, I shouldn’t have been surprised.
“Do you know how I told you my parents sent me here to try to strengthen my magic?” she asked.
“Yes.” I also remembered April telling me how she would sneak off at night, though now I knew it was due to her panic attacks. Sydney had mentioned she was very good at picking locks—the reason she was coming with me tonight.
