Elle
The sun’s dipping below the horizon, rays of orange, pink and lavender streaking through the gothic-style pointed ceilings of Beaulieu’s many roofs.
Long golden shadows stretch across the sprawling campus and bounce off the stone walls, bathing Aria and me in a dream-like glow as we head for Maple House.
It’s strange, being back on the foreboding campus where my torture started and now where my happily ever after is in limbo.
I know that Mistress’ unique critiques are just around the corner once I’m no longer excused from the advanced class in two weeks. I know some students and gossipy teachers still see me as a gold digging bitch for the article I’d blasted to Beaussip. And I know that whoever put that glass in my pointe shoes is here, too. But I’m comforted by the thought that Gant will find them. We will find them before graduation.
What Gant did to his own father… what he’ll do to the one who hurt me… I’m excited to find out because being back feels like being home as much as being with Gant feels like being home. And that’s where my dilemma settles in.
I’m used to spending every night on top of or under him.
Even leaving him in the car park as he was mobbed by his horsemen in congratulations on finally riding in a private car was painful until I spotted Aria.
“Did you find Etienne?” I ask as we roll our trunks along the cobblestones. I’d expected Etienne to accompany her for as far as the school rules would allow, and even then, I doubted it would stop him.
She shakes her head, her curly braids whipping her shoulders. “He lied. He was never there.”
I freeze mid-step because, despite her light tone, I can feel the heaviness of her words. Did she know Etienne was really at the hospital all this time? “How do you know?”
“I broke and went to his mother’s home. The butler said Etienne hadn’t been there at all,” she says, her voice cold and flat. “Maybe the butler was lying, but he seemed genuinely confused.”
Guilt gnaws at me. “Are you going to ask Etienne about it?”
“Nope,” she says with finality. “Why would he tell the person he’s trying to escape from?”
“But you don’t know that.”
“I do. He was with Rin.”
“I was with Rin,” I say timidly, though it’s not a secret. She knew since I was in the hospital. “She wasn’t with him.”
“Really?” I don’t miss both the doubt and relief in her voice.
“Really.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m about to be his sister, and I need to start acting like it. He doesn’t have to share all of his secrets with me any more, and I don’t have to share all of mine.”
“What secrets?” I grin mischievously at her.
“I don’t know yet. I plan to have a slew of them come Christmas though,” she grins back. “I’m in my senior year. What do I look like, sulking over my stepbrother when there are so many options? Options I can pursue without any backlash or fallout.”
I follow her gaze to a phantom Rolls Royce, where Bae slips out in his usual attire of head-to-toe black, his dark hair fluttering in the wind.
I glance back at Aria, who’s looking at him like…like he isn’t just Bae.
“You know, I swore Rin liked him,” she says thoughtfully. “I guess I was wrong.”
“Aria,” I say, gripping her arm and trying to pull her back to reality, but she drags us along toward Maple House with a pep in her step. “I’m all for diversifying and going after what and who you want, but there’s a circle outside the horsemen, you know? There are tons of men on campus.”
She gazes at me like I’m insane. “Have you seen Bae?”
“I have. He’s gorgeous.” I admit. Painfully beautiful. While Gant’s haunting, Bae’s ethereal.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Nothing, I just…that’s maybe not the best idea?” I ask, my chest tightening. “You know, going after Etienne’s best friend?”
“Well, I can’t go after his dad because he’s my stepdad.”
My stomach plunges into my ass. “Wait! Aria!”
But Aria stops skipping as our phones buzz in unison.
Fuck. It’s Beaussip
Well, well, well,
It looks like the inauguration of our new king is underway, but it also looks like one of his highness’ royal invitations has been declined.
Silly rabbit, royal, didn’t Stassi already tell you that diamonds are a girl’s best friend?
Not silicone.
Maybe she would’ve liked it better if you made it out of glass or crystal.
It’s not the same, but imitation is the best form of flattery, right? Besides, it would still be sanitary and sparkly, and that’s what matters.
A throne fit for our pretty princess to seat herself on.
Too bad it doesn’t fit.
For now.
Aria’s wide eyes spring to me, then without a word, she’s springing up the steps to our dorm, her trunk banging carelessly against the stone steps.
I follow her with far more care for my new luggage, thanks to Delphine’s contribution, but then something, or rather someone, stops me dead. I swore it was a mannequin at first, but as I peer through the massive glass window, I see that it’s Miss Trix posing on the chaise as Mr Lexington passes by.
In our dorm room, Stassi’s already there, as Aria clearly expected. She’s facing the window, her head bent over her phone that’s gripped tightly in her palm.
“That fucking bitch,” she mutters to herself. “Beaussip was in our room! She had to be. How else would she have seen… When? When the fuck was she in here?”
“We just got here,” I shrug. “But how did she see what Hale got you?”
I zone in on a matte black box with a pretty baby pink ribbon. It’s long, almost like it’d hold a singular rose. Aria gets two steps toward it before Stassi swats her hand away.
“Ouch! Is that what Beaussuip was talking about?”
Stassi nods, tugging a lock behind her ear in sheer frustration. “Hale gave it to me as a birthday gift. No, ‘a fuck you and fuck off’ gift.”
Aria’s eyes grow wide. “What is it?”
But Stassi’s not listening. She’s lost in thought as her eyes lock onto that seemingly innocent ribbon with a fury that makes her grind her teeth.
“He thinks I’m some little girl. A little spoiled princess. Someone who can’t fuck with him back. Well, I can, and it’s about time I did.” She tucks the box under her arm and storms out.