“You’re lookin sexy, Lyd,” I replied, taking in her fitted blue dress that perfectly complemented her dark skin. “Ready to raise some hell?”
She grinned, linking her arm through mine. “Absolutely. Let’s get fucked up.”
As we headed toward the Sagittarius dorm, I felt the weight of the past weeks lifting from my shoulders.
We arrived at the party a little after nine, and I immediately felt the thrum of magic in the air. The Sagittarius recreationparlor had been transformed completely. The ceiling was a breathtaking illusion of the night sky, constellations swirling and shifting above us like we were standing beneath an open universe. Stars occasionally shot across the darkness, leaving trails of silver light that lingered for seconds before fading.
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “This is incredible.”
The large room was packed with bodies moving to the low, pulsing beat. Most of the lighting came from glowing drinks that people carried—cocktails infused with luminescence magic that cast pretty blue, purple, and green glows across faces.
“Sagittarius always throws the best parties,” Lydia said over the music, leading me toward a makeshift bar in the corner.
They were astral projectors if I remembered right. Many of them specialized in the entertainment industry, and I could see why.
I braced myself for the usual stares and whispers that followed me everywhere, but surprisingly, people just nodded or smiled as we passed. No one seemed particularly bothered by the presence of the infamous Ophis in their midst.
“Two cosmic crashes,” Lydia told the guy mixing drinks, who nodded and began pouring glowing blue liquid into glasses.
“People seem oddly normal tonight, should I be worried?” I asked, scanning the room.
Lydia handed me a glass pulsing with blue light. “That’s because everyone’s here to forget about zodiac politics for one night. It’s a party rule—leave your designation drama at the door.”
I took a sip and nearly choked. “Fuck, that’s strong!”
“That’s the point!” She grinned, clinking her glass against mine. “To forgetting for one goddamn night!”
The drink burned going down but left a pleasant warmth spreading through my limbs, along with a slight tinglingsensation I recognized as magic. Not harmful, just a buzz enhancer that made colors more vivid and sounds more intense.
After a second drink, Lydia pulled me into the crowd of dancers. The music had shifted to something with a deeper bass that I could feel in my chest. We moved together, and for the first time since the Abyss incident, I felt like myself again, just Jupiter.
Three songs and another drink later, I realized someone was watching me. A tall guy with dark hair was leaning against a wall, his eyes, a striking green even in the dim light, fixed on me. When our gazes met, he didn’t look away. Instead, he smiled, raising his glowing drink slightly in acknowledgment.
He was gorgeous in that effortless way that some guys managed, with broad shoulders, strong jawline, and arms that strained against his shirt sleeves. A Leo, based on the glowing golden flecks I could see in his eyes even from this distance.
“Go talk to him,” Lydia nudged me, following my gaze.
“I don’t know...”
“Oh please, he’s been eye-fucking you for the last ten minutes. Besides, you’re not technically committed to anyone.”
She was right. The healers had made it clear that while the preliminary bond was established, it wouldn’t be permanently fixed for at least another two weeks. I was still my own person. The Nightfall Shield didn’t own me. Besides, they were clearly fucking other women.
Maybe this was exactly what I needed to remind myself and everyone else that I wasn’t just an extension of those four men. I could make my own choices, including who I wanted to spend my time with.
“Fuck it,” I said, handing Lydia my empty glass. “I’m going in.”
“Get that dick, girl,” she said as I left.
I made my way across the dance floor, never breaking eye contact with the Leo. When I reached him, he straightened, his smile widening.
“I was hoping you’d come over,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “I’m Leo.”
I laughed. “Yes, I can tell. Your designation is pretty obvious.”
He grinned, showing perfect teeth. “No, I mean my name is actually Leo. Leo Daniels.”
“Of course it is,” I said, rolling my eyes but smiling. “Jupiter Black.”
