Chapter Forty-Five - Isolde
Wilder spins Leigh around the dance floor while the crowd surrounding them claps and cheers.
Leigh’s mother cries openly while Queen Jorina sways in her seat with regal composure.
But I hardly notice any of it. I desperately scan the room, searching every foreign face for one familiar one. Where is Soter?
All the Blades were invited to the ceremony and reception in recognition of our work, so he should be here. I crane my neck.
Jaxson bumps my shoulder, grinning. He’s already drunk. “Looking for someone?”
My throat tightens. Honesty has never been my strong suit, especially regarding my relationship with my commanding officer.
Still, I’m trying something new: trusting and being brave.
If I want it badly enough, maybe it will come true.
And I want Soter. I’m going to tell him how I feel, and if he doesn’t feel the same, at least I tried. “Soter.”
Jaxson groans. “Didn’t you get the memo? Work’s finished for the night.”
I manage a smile.
“Besides,” Jax continues as Wilder dips Leigh low, and the crowd hoots and hollers, “whatever you’ve got to say, you should say to Wilder instead.”
I frown. “Why Wilder?”
Jax looks at me sidelong. “He’s coming back to the force. Soter stepped down.”
My mouth falls open. “Soter did what?”
Jax takes another sip of his drink. “He left. Went back to Borealis. Probably should’ve stayed—maybe a party would loosen him up. He’s wound so tight, I bet he shits diamonds.”
A group nearby is laughing, but I don’t join in. “You don’t have to be so mean.”
Jax, with his jokes and carefree personality, will be a fantastic father. Something he never openly said he wanted, but now, I can’t see his future any other way. So why can’t Soter prove me wrong? Did he step down for me? I won’t know unless I ask.
Jax’s laughter falters. “Huh?”
I straighten. I’m not here to argue with Jaxson—we’re friends—but I am a little pissed about his remark about only friends using my first name.
I know what Jax said isn’t the reason Soter broke things off, though.
I can only blame myself for that. Me and my reluctance to make us public.
Enough is enough. I’m tired of feeling like I can’t trust the people I love because I am afraid they’ll let me down.
“You’re all so hard on him,” I say. “I know he gives just as good as he gets, but we’re a team. You may not live in Borealis anymore, Jax, but you’re still one of us—and Soter has been there since the beginning. If I have any say, he’s not going anywhere.”
I turn, heart pounding, determination burning away the last threads of doubt.
“Where are you going?” Jax calls after me.
“To the train station,” I shout. “I’m getting my boyfriend back.” I don’t care who hears me.