Chapter 23 #2
And the mocking voice that answers fuels my anger. "I have a feeling Evelyn is getting exactly what she asked for."
"Achilles!" the three voices of my friends shout at him.
An arm wraps around my waist, lifting me with ease before Achilles drags me to the side.
I see it all. The phones pointing at me. The shocked gazes. And Evelyn's bleeding mouth as people help her sit up. Even my friends are lost as to why I reacted so wildly.
"Nyx," Alex says as I try to pull away from Achilles. "What happened?"
"Let me go, asshole," I rage at the man holding me. "You told her? Let go!"
Evelyn approaches us, tears rolling down her face as she shakes.
"I told you, Achilles," she sobs. "You can take the girl out of the North Shore, but you won't take the North Shore out of her."
I'm released so quickly, I lose my footing. Peach is the one who catches me, and Ella takes hold of my hand to reassure me.
"Repeat that," Achilles bites out as he gets in Evelyn's personal space. "Open your fucking mouth and let me hear you say what you think of her."
The violent tone has us all frozen in place. The room falls silent, held in this specific moment in time.
Achilles Duval, the blasé genius who’s above all of us, lost his cool.
"Pathetic, jealous bitch," he says as he steps back and points a threatening finger at her. "Your life is over, Evelyn. Your career, your future. It's gone. You're done for."
The words sound new from his mouth, and the shock on students’ faces tells me I'm right. That the respect people have for him has always been enough. That he's never had to utter such threats before. And that the reason he's using the power he has over everyone is me.
He turns around, heading toward me. Grabbing me by the upper arm with an unforgiving grip, he forces me to let go of Ella and follow his rhythm as he strides out of the common room and through the castle’s dark hallways.
"You told her about…about…" I choke on my own words. "You were fucking her! Sharing my secret!"
He stops so suddenly I bump into his side before he turns around and slams me against the stone wall.
"How could you?" he snaps as he slaps the stone above my head. "How could you put your dream in jeopardy like that? Never risk your hands, Nyx. I can't believe I have to tell you that. Am I the only one who takes your career seriously here?"
I push at his chest, but he presses me back with a hand around my throat. I notice the way he loosens it the second my worried eyes snap to his.
"She said you told her about my secret at a point in time you guys were fucking. And you only learned about it when you were already sleeping with me. Have you been seeing her behind my back?"
He shakes his head, a look of disappointment clouding the gray in his eyes.
"Always think with this," he says as presses his index finger against my temple. "Not with your pride."
"But she said—"
"She learned about it from your conductor," he says plainly.
"Have you learned nothing about this world, Nyx?
How can you believe a single word that comes out of anyone's mouth around here?
You gave Evelyn exactly what she wanted.
Attention, proof that you're just another violent girl from the wrong side of town.
Something for people to film and talk about.
Do you see me react to any fucking thing that is said about me?
To Hermes's posts? This isn't the North Shore.
You never know who your enemies are here. "
I pause, finally breathing since the situation started. My eyes fill with tears as I realize what I've done.
"Mon trésor," he whispers with care. "Don't be upset. You know I won't let any of it affect you."
"But it already has," I rasp, my lower lip trembling. "I punched her."
He grabs my hand delicately, looking at it intensely. "Looks like you've got a weak punch." With a subtle smirk, he kisses my knuckles.
His words pull a reluctant laugh out of me.
"I'm not a fighter," I admit. "Not really for a North Shore girl." A huff deflates my chest. "I'm so stupid."
"You're jealous," he corrects with a knowing smile. "It's kind of cute."
My mouth drops open before I say, "You threatened her."
"Ah, see, that she deserved."
"Is she really done for?" I ask, worried about the power he holds over all of us.
His face becomes blank again, and he simply nods.
"Yes. I don't go back on my word, baby. If she knows what's good for her, she won't be at rehearsals on Monday."
"But—"
"She tried to embarrass you in front of everyone. That was the last thing she used her influence for, believe me."
I gulp as a surge of guilt moves through me.
"Nyx." He chuckles. "You can't be serious. You’re feeling bad because I’m destroying the future of a woman who is trying to destroy you."
He shakes his head, holding my hand as he starts walking again. "You're one complicated case, I'll tell you that."
"I'm not a case, Achilles. I'm your girlfriend."
He stops dead in his tracks, and I do too. My heart beats harshly, barely holding on as I try not to pass out. Did I really just say that?
"My what?" he asks, as shocked as I am.
"Nothing. I said nothing. I don't know…why…it just came out."
He looks down at me, cupping my cheek with his free hand. "You know I've been dying to hear this. Say it again."
I shake my head.
"Say it again, Nyx." The previous request turns into a stern order. "What are you?"
"Your girlfriend?" I squeeze the words through my tight throat.
"Again." His arrogant demand only makes me want him more.
"Shut up. I will risk my hand again and punch that smirk off your face."
"Ooh," he mocks me. "My girlfriend's in a mood. What is one meant to do?"
"Achilles, shut up," I groan as we start walking again.
"What will I get my girlfriend for Valentine's Day?" He keeps teasing me.
"You won't have one by then if you keep going." But my heart is exploding with confetti in my chest.
"Should we do a couple's costume for Halloween?"
"Shut up," I repeat for the hundredth time.
"Sure thing. I wouldn't want to upset my girlfriend. And you know what they say, happy girlfriend, happy life."
"Happy wife, happy life," I correct him.
"Please, Nyx, one thing at a time. You just became my girlfriend."
I slap his arm as we get out of the castle. "God, you're unbearable."
"And yet you still want me as your boyfriend."
It's still raining, and the cold air hits me right in the face. It's a painful reminder that there's a real world outside of our bubble, and that I should cherish moments like this. Because when Achilles finds out the truth, he'll never look at me the same way.