When he cups my chin, gliding his lips over mine, a shuddering exhale sighs from the depths of his chest. And I know he believes it.
We communicate in slow touches and lingering gazes, and later, in the early hours of the morning, I lean away when a question forms in the back of my mind.
“Before—you said you weren’t trying to reverse your wish. What was it?”
A faint smile materializes. “I’d hoped you’d see me the way I see you.”
I’m afraid my fragile heart may burst. I splay my fingers through his, and then out tumbles my biggest fear. “I don’t want to forget. Or be forgotten.”
My words hang between us. He tugs me into his chest, and I tuck myself there as his lips press against the crown of my head. Outside, the wind whistles a muted screech. Trees shiver and bend. The world spins on. My eyes grow heavy, my breathing slowing. And then, just when I’m somewhere between lucid and dreaming, a hoarse whisper releases from his lips.
“I don’t think I could ever forget you, Delaney,” he says under his breath. “Not in a million lifetimes.”
39
Sometime in the night, Sumnerleaves without notice. I wake up to a text saying he’s ensuring everything’s under control. For a fleeting moment, I allow myself to believe it.
We have a plan. The Space Weather Prediction Center website expects a significant geomagnetic storm tonight—that hasn’t changed—but we won’t know if our area will witness an aurora display until hours in advance. This will likely happen sometime after midnight, based on previous patterns. Since the isoborometer is directly dependent on the geomagnetically induced current, we’ll need to place it within the strongest point of the vortex. Then, when geomagnetic activity reaches its strongest point, we’ll make sure William is within range of the current in order to reverse the time path.
In the meantime, Sumner and Lionel will measure the parameters, set up the isoborometer, and then join William and me at the gala. When it ends, we’ll send him back. Everything will return to how it was before.
Hopefully.
My hand feels emptier without my dad’s ring, but I try not to fixate on it. I also try not to fixate on other things that may have disappeared without me noticing. I’ll see my mom and Mads later.They got on a plane this morning. That’s all that matters right now. Nothing about tonight can go wrong.
I’m busy with gala preparations for the rest of the afternoon. Because of the unprecedented turnout from our community and alumni, Ivernia has opted to utilize the gym instead of the Langley Center, which means there’s more square footage to decorate. I help set up silver-and-white balloon arches with Sabine and Inessa, who ask twelve dozen more questions about William when no one else is around. Once we’re done, Mrs.Vidar-Tett waves us away to get ready.
All the presenting seniors utilize the athletic center’s locker rooms to prepare for the evening, so we don’t have to hustle from the houses in the snow. Anticipatory chatter echoes through the space, underpinned with clacking heels, spritzes of perfume, and occasional squeals of laughter. Bodies in formal wear slide by and claim space in front of mirrors. Lip gloss and oil-blotting sheets and curling irons are everywhere.
I’ve kept my hair down and straight—simple—mostly because the dress Mads sent me doesn’t need overpowering. Silk drapes over me, lying nicely over my hips and transforming into the detailed, shimmering gradient as it cascades down my legs. My heart pounds. I haven’t felt ready until this very moment.
“Delaney?”
I set my lipstick on the counter as Mrs.Vidar-Tett strides toward me, concern prevalent on her face. She beckons me out of the locker room. When I turn to Sabine and Inessa, they only shrug.
Once we’re in the hall, she gives me a strained smile. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” I glance around. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but the school is dealing with a delicate situation involving Enzo. I’m afraid he won’t escort you this evening.”
My stomach cinches under waves of anxiety. “What—why?”
Her expression falters. “Nothing you should stress about right now. Let me focus on what to do from here, okay?” She’s already moving away from me, heading toward the gym. “We’re still set to begin in thirty minutes.”
Dread, hot and panicked, sinks into my bones. They found out about the Enzo situation. It’s the only explanation. Buthow? And where is William?
My hands lunge for my phone; then I remember I’ve left it in the locker room. I’m about to dart inside when someone else calls my name.
Analiese.
Built-up frustration morphs into simmering anger. “Did you do this?”
She looks taken aback. “I wasn’t going to publish the article,” she says, approaching me slowly. “Iswear, Delaney. We pulled it, but then Mr.Volpone asked Tyler why I abandoned a piece I’d been working on all semester, and Tyler sent him the draft. And then it just—it escalated.” Sympathy flickers across her face. “Enzo’s in Ellerby’s office.”
There are many well-known scientific laws that help explain our physical connection within the world. Newton’s laws of motion. Kepler’s laws. The law of inertia. And then there is Murphy’s law, which states,Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. It may not be rooted in science, but it doesn’t mean you cannot feel it in full force when it’s happening to you.
Now is one of those times.
