Okay, sotechnically, he may no longer be my student. But I still had a few pressing issues that outranked a relationship. Like, oh—I don’t know, the upcoming Easter death games, my new erratic ability, being hunted by the Skell King, helping David research ways to relight Loveland’s Candela. You know, justnormalthings.
Shit.
I gently pressed a hand against his chest and pulled away.
“I—” My brain hiccuped. “We—we shouldn’t,” I said, my body hating each word. “With Feck Fest around the corner, and everything else going on, a relationship would justcomplicatethings.”
An eyebrow ticked up. “Feck Fest?” Finley huffed out a small laugh. But then his eyes fell like a beaten puppy’s as he let out a slow breath.
“I know,” he murmured, planting a gentle kiss to my forehead. “That kiss was selfishly for me.” A small smile tugged at his lips, and he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“I’m sorry,” I rasped. I meant it.
I didn’t want to hurt him. But right now, I was baggage. Baggage packed with confused emotions, razor--blade issues, and most likely explosive outcomes. He didn’t deserve that.
Finley shifted on his feet, a smile returning to his face. He almost looked sheepish, rubbing a hand over his mouth.
“I wanted to ask ya something,” he said, face sparking with that irritatingly cute mix of amusement and nerves.
I narrowed mine. “What?”
“Go to the Fortuna Ball with me?” For a moment, his grin faltered . . . but those hopeful eyes stayed locked on mine. “Asfriends, of course,” he added, wincing at the word.
The way he looked anxious, I expected the question to be something foreboding like digging into my past or dropping an unexpected bombshell. But no,thiswas his priority. Leave it to Finley to turn on his charm even after I rejected him . . . yet again.
I shook my head, giggling.
He really was the epitome of sunshine and rainbows. All wrapped up in cheeky smiles and toned biceps.
“Fine.” I said, letting out a dramatic sigh.
My eyes rolled, then landed on his. If his grin grew any wider, it’d border on maniacal.
“Asfriends,”I reminded. My lip tugged into a slow, inevitable smile.
Goddamn it.
Heading toward Emerald Falls,I took a different route through The Mounds than usual. This part of town felt more refined, quieter. The boisterous, beer-clanking chaos of the lower shops were closer to the Institute. Here, things had a bit more class.
My eyes caught on a rounded storefront window. Dresses, sparkly and elegant, displayed like jewels on a royal crown at the forefront of the glass.
One stood out in particular—a beautiful blood-red ballgown with a delicate sweetheart neckline. The skirt parted at one side, revealing rippling layers of gold silk beneath, a rose unfurling around its own buried gilded star.
The fabric didn’t need glittery beads or gemstone embroidery—it was exquisite on its own. It stole my breath away,calling to me as if the fabric itself were woven in a secret language only my soul could hear. Standing there, frozen, felt like looking up at a twinkling sky in the depths of winter, and finding a star sparkling. The one that if you stared at it long enough, flickered hues of red and gold just for you.
I was already late. But that dress needed to be mine.
“Fuck Pogue,” I spat. “He can wait.”
I could feel a smile growing as my hand gripped the door, ready to claim my North Star.
38
CARWYNN
My sneakers scuffedthe gravel as I raced down the trail, and the oak forest swallowed me whole.
I was late. Like . . .reallylate.
