I glanced at Percy, but his expression was as confused as mine. Director Waverly quickly moved to the podium, clearly trying to regain control of the moment.
“Yes, the emergence of the Ophis designation is indeed historic. We are still researching the full implications, but we remain hopeful about what this might mean for our future.”
The applause continued as we were ushered off the stage, the crowd still standing, many of them trying to get closer, to touch me, to speak to me. I felt Percy’s arm wrap protectively around my waist as Aiden, Draco, and Eris formed a barrier between me and the reaching hands.
“What was that about?” I whispered to Percy as we moved through the crowd.
“I don’t know,” he admitted, looking troubled. “But we’ll find out.”
The formal part of the evening transitioned back to dancing and mingling, but I couldn’t shake the unsettled feeling that had settled in my stomach. People kept approaching, wanting to meet me, to touch my hand, to ask about my powers. Some elderly Assembly members actually had tears in their eyes when they spoke to me, talking about “finally returning home” and “closing the circle.”
I managed to escape for a moment, finding refuge near one of the tall windows overlooking the city. Theo from Stardust found me there, offering a glass of champagne.
“Quite the reaction you got,” he said. “I’ve never seen the Assembly elders so worked up.”
“Do you know what they meant? About going home?”
He shrugged, leaning against the window beside me. “Just old legends. The story goes that the original Ophis was the only one who could create stable portals between worlds. When he sacrificed himself during the First Crossing, we lost our way back to the home worlds.”
“But that was thousands of years ago,” I protested. “Earth is our home now.”
“For some,” Theo agreed. “But the oldest families, the purebloods—they’ve never stopped longing for what was lost. They pass down stories about the thirteen connected worlds we once traveled freely between.” He smiled ruefully. “Load of rubbish if you ask me. Even if those worlds still existed, they’d be overrun by bane now.”
Phoenix appeared, claiming me for a dance with a charming smile that was impossible to refuse. As we moved across the floor, I caught sight of the Nightfall Shield watching us. Through our bond, I felt their jealousy and possessiveness.
Good. Let them suffer.
I danced with James next, then Rowan again, deliberately keeping my distance from my own shield. Each time one of the Stardust members touched me, I felt the Nightfall’s rage spike higher. It was petty and probably childish, but after weeks of feeling their attempts to replace me, it felt like justice.
Besides, these four men were actually pretty nice, and incredibly attractive. I couldn’t say I minded being whisked off my feet. A small part of me was somewhat eager to go to London.
As the night wore on, I spotted a familiar face across the room—Lyssa, wearing a skin-tight red dress that left little to the imagination. When our eyes met, she actually smirked at me, leaning over to whisper something to the woman beside her while staring directly at me.
The wanna be axis candidate who thought she owned Eris, and probably had designs on the others too.
Something snapped inside me. I was leaving for London in just a few days, never to return. This was my last chance to take back some control, to leave them with a memory they couldn’t erase no matter how many women they fucked.
I reached through the bond for the first time in weeks, directing my thoughts specifically to Aiden.
‘Follow me when I leave the room. Don’t tell the others.’
I felt his shock vibrate through our connection, followed by confusion and desperate hope. Without waiting for a response, I set down my champagne glass and made my way toward one of the side exits, not looking back to see if he would follow.
The small smoking room off the main hall was empty, dimly lit with plush leather furniture and heavy curtains. I closed the door behind me and waited, heart pounding against my ribs. Would he come? Part of me hoped he wouldn’t, that he’d have enough self-respect to ignore me.
But the door opened less than a minute later, and there he was, Aiden Reece, golden eyes wide and uncertain as he stepped inside.
“Jupiter,” he said, his voice rough. “What?—”
I crossed the room in three quick strides and pressed my finger to his lips, silencing him. “Lock the door.”
He reached behind him without looking, turning the lock with trembling fingers. I could feel his confusion, along with a desire so intense it nearly took my breath away.
Without warning, I grabbed him, spinning him around, then placed my hands on his chest and shoved him backward until his legs hit the leather couch. He fell into a sitting position, looking up at me with those beautiful golden eyes that began to glow. His long blonde hair fell in waves around his shoulders.
“Jupiter, what are you doing?”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I reached down and hiked up my dress, the slit making it easy to straddle him in one smooth movement. His hands automatically came to my waist, steadying me as I settled onto his lap.
