8. Ivy
IVY
My fingers curl around the windowsill behind me as I watch chaos ensue.
I should have been prepared for it when I went to Archer in the first place, but I was too caught up in the moment to see anything but the panic consuming me.
Now, my room feels as though it’s shrunk, filled with all four of my hated mates, who take up far too much space like they have a right to be here.
Baron paces back and forth by the door while Sax sits at the foot of my bed, elbows braced on his knees as he shakes his head at something.
Teddy is a little too composed, leaning against the wall beside the bathroom door, foot propped behind him, and his arms folded across his chest. Then there’s Archer, who is standing an inch closer to me than necessary, a fact that hasn’t changed since the moment I declared I needed him.
To top it all off, my brother’s voice booms from the device set up on my desk, threatening to return.
It’s impossible to think when they’re so vocal about their thoughts. I’m too stuck on processing their words to decipher my own.
“Lucky can have me there in ten minutes,” my brother declares, and I shake my head.
“Don’t do that.”
“Don’t downplay this, Vee,” he retorts, and I sigh.
“That’s not my intention, Hugo, but my space is already crammed as it is, and I’m still struggling with exhaustion,” I grumble, dragging my hand down my face as I earn a round of concerned looks from everyone in the room.
I can feel their eyes boring into my skin, but I refuse to return any of their stares.
“I want to see that letter,” Hugo insists, and I part my lips to reply, but Archer beats me to it.
“I’ve told you everything that’s in the letter. Seeing it with your own eyes won’t make a difference.”
“Tell me again, then. We have to pick it apart.”
I tilt my head back, defeat consuming me as I try to take a deep breath.
“We’ve already done this,” I grumble, when a hand lands on my arm and I stiffen.
“We’re just trying to keep you safe, Angel,” Archer murmurs, so quietly that I’m sure no one else could hear as he stares deep into my eyes. It’s unnerving and threatening my resolve.
Shaking his hand off me, I nod. “Then let’s get it over with so the four of you can get out of here.”
He scoffs, filling me with tension as he slowly shakes his head. “Angel, if you are under the guise that we’re going to leave you alone once all is said and done, then you’re truly mistaken.”
I pout as a heavy weight settles on my chest.
I should have prepared for him to say that.
Sax clears his throat from the bed. “The letter?” he prompts, trying to redirect the conversation, and I let him, hoping to have the time to build a stronger case for why that isn’t going to happen.
“Watching your father’s certainty flourish before my very eyes is a sight to behold.”
I freeze, watching Baron’s mouth move, but Archer’s voice slips past his lips.
“What the fuck?” I blurt, a shiver running down my spine as everyone slowly turns to me.
“Did my sister just cuss?”
I roll my eyes at my brother, even though he can’t see, as I aim a finger at Baron. “What was that?”
Everyone blinks at me for a moment, and I stare back, looking for answers, until understanding washes over Baron’s features. “She hasn’t seen my abilities before.”
“Abilities?” I repeat, my eyebrows gathering in confusion as my head tilts to the side.
He nods, but Sax is the one to answer.
“Baron has the rare ability to be able to hear from a distance and repeat back what is being said in the voice of the person. In this case, he can repeat the letter based on Archer reading it to him through the device.”
That sounds insane and simple all at once, but I’m quickly reminded that I’m a damn phoenix, so anything is apparently possible.
“I’m basically a giant parrot,” Baron mutters, and the smallest huff of a laugh parts my lips.
“I’ve considered you many things, a giant parrot isn’t one of them.”
His eyes sparkle with amusement as I blink at him. It feels like an eternity since we were outside dealing with Alaric. He must sense the thought in me as his eyes widen and he clears his throat.
“I’m not the only one to have communication abilities,” he states, and I sigh, feeling the confusion ratchet up a notch.
“We’ll come back to that. The note for now,” I insist, preparing for push back, but nothing comes.
“Well, that first line definitely refers to my father killing Ivy,” Hugo grunts, thankfully taking the redirection, but it does nothing to calm the tension inside of me.
All it does is serve as a reminder that my father is worse than I ever thought possible.
“You are a sight to behold,” Baron continues, and it’s only slightly less weird for Archer’s voice to be coming from his mouth this time.
“That’s just creepy,” Teddy grunts, and everyone hums in agreement as an eeriness weighs me down.
“Don’t worry, my Evergreen, times are changing,” Baron continues, and Archer scoffs.
“My Evergreen?”
“His choice of nickname isn’t the issue, it’s the promise of change,” Hugo states through the device, and I scoff.
“The nickname is definitely an issue,” I declare, shaking my head, still in disbelief that this is happening right now, as a few snicker at my acknowledgment.
“You will be the catalyst to my plans and the center of my desires.”
I cringe.
“What does that even mean?” Sax grumbles, and Teddy scoffs.
“Nothing good, that’s for sure,” the Water Protector bites, and everyone nods in agreement.
“We shall meet again, L.”
“It has to be Leonardo Corrigan, right?” Teddy mutters, and my veins turn to ice at the mention of his name.
I’ve spent the entire day crying in my room, mourning a life I didn’t realize I lost, while replaying the horrors of that cell. My father may have been the one to put the bullet between my eyes, but he wasn’t alone in that tiny space, and the man with him was creepy as hell.
I didn’t know who he was at the time; all I knew was that I didn’t want his eyes on me.
I had been naked, but my bigger concern was him.
I can’t forget the way his tongue slipped across his bottom lip, or the way his eyes narrowed with delight, and the way his fingers repeatedly flexed at his sides.
That man has already scarred me for life. Thinking about him being in my personal space is enough to make me nauseous.
As if sensing my thoughts, Baron clears his throat, and when he speaks, it’s his own voice this time. “Corrigan wouldn’t be able to get on campus, right?”
“It would be easier if we knew he could,” Archer replies, the room growing thicker with tension. “Because if it were someone working on his behalf, it could be anyone at the academy, and that’s a lot more people to be wary of.”
I gulp as a thunderous screech comes from outside.
Spinning on the spot, my lips set into a thin smile as I peer at Alaric. It seems the green-scaled dragon is just as hellbent on protecting me as these guys are, only he’s not able to fit in here. Yet, he’s the one I would rather be with.
At least he didn’t betray me two years ago.
Frustration claws at me, my mind struggling to keep everything together as I try to step back mentally to see the bigger picture.
It doesn’t help that there’s so much going on; it’s too much to handle.
Add to the fact that my memories flooded me this morning, all of my old wounds feel fresher than ever, and I’m a jumbled mess.
“If that’s everything. We can reconvene tomorrow to figure out some other things, but for now, I need you all to leave so I can rest.” I’m impressed at the firmness in my voice, but as I look around the room, it’s not really a surprise to see four incredulous stares aimed my way.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Archer repeats, and I sigh.
“Your attempt at protectiveness is suffocating, and I’ve been through enough today,” I grumble, earning me a pointed look from my neighbor.
“Right now, Angel, there are bigger threats to worry about than your fated mates.”
His words hit me square in the chest, escalating the frustration that clings to me, but I can’t deny the truth.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I exhale, exhaustion dragging me down despite the urgency of this newest situation.
“I need some space,” I declare, moving toward the bathroom, desperate for an escape, when Hugo’s voice cuts through the air.
“Vee?”
Pursing my lips, I glance over my shoulder to find my brother’s face filling the screen of Archer’s device. His eyebrows pinch as he stares at me.
“Hewy,” I rasp, and he smiles. I don’t return it.
“Your safety is paramount. Father hasn’t been seen since he pulled the trigger…
” His words trail off, the sentence incomplete, and I’m happy for it to stay that way.
The memory is still living in my mind rent-free; I don’t need to hear it, too.
“If that letter states anything, it’s that you are still a bargaining chip. ”
“Still?” I repeat, and he grimaces.
“The wedding.”
I gulp at the reminder of the day my life changed entirely, and not in the way I intended at all.
There was no “for better or worse” that day. There wasn’t any “in sickness or in health”, either, only chaos. But it was clear at the time that I was being used for my father’s gains. I just hadn’t realized it had reached new heights. Like, the leader of the Second Kingdom high.
“I don’t want any of this, Hugo. I just want to enjoy Neverbound Academy for what it is. Have fun, learn, make life-long friends, and find my place in the world.”
“That’s what you’re already doing, Vee,” he insists, and I scoff, my hands slapping against my thighs as defeat rattles through me.
“No, it isn’t. Not with this bunch of assholes dictating my every move.”
My brother’s lip twists before he clears his throat. “I’m sure it’s with good reason.”
I stomp toward the device, jabbing my finger at him like he’s standing before me. “There is no good reason, Hugo. I’m as trapped here as I was there.” My chest heaves with every breath. “It’s suffocating.”
“It’s just for the time being, Vee. I—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” I interject, lifting my hands in defeat, aware of the four sets of eyes tracking my every move right now, but I don’t care.
“I’m going to shower. It’s clear I don’t get a say in any of this, but I’m too tired and drained to care.
You know, since I died and all.” I hate how dramatic I sound, but I hate how helpless they make me feel even more.
“While I’m gone, someone better figure out some food before I get hangry on top of all of this,” I declare, pointing my fingers at myself. “And then I’m going to sleep.”
With a huff, I spin for the door, not waiting for a response as I stride across the room and slam the bathroom door shut behind me.
The wood holds me up as I sag against it, drowning in my emotions while reeling over my father’s corruption, Leonardo’s desire, and the suffocation coming from my brother and hated mates.
All I need to do is sleep. Let the day drift away, and hope tomorrow is better.
But even I’m not delusional enough to believe that will be the case.
I don’t move from the spot as I let my breathing settle, each inhale weighted as I press my fingertips into my temples.
Why is everything so messy?
Hated mates: couldn’t get any messier.
My father: the messiest.
Leonardo Corrigan: messier than messy.
I need a break from it all.
I need a friend.
My spine stiffens as I think of Meadow, and I instantly regret not locating my device before I disappeared in here.
My chest tightens at the thought of the last time I had it, and I’m quickly reminded of the moment I gave in. I exposed my vulnerable side and ended up losing my virginity.
Dragging a hand down my face, I make a mental note to ask Teddy about my device when I’m done.
I probably shouldn’t be so mad at him over the whole medical center situation. It isn’t his fault I forgot, and he didn’t omit anything for his own benefit. A tingling in my mind makes it clear it was for me, but that does nothing to my scorned soul.
The truth is, I would do anything to go back to that moment in his room. When nothing else mattered but feeling.
I want to chase that sensation again, but everything has changed.
Pushing off the door, I’ve only taken a single step toward the shower when a knock rattles from behind me, making me leap a few feet in the air. Startled, I plaster my hand to my chest as I glare at the wood accusingly.
I’m under no illusion that it’s not one of them waiting on the other side, but despite the distance I so desperately need, I find myself reaching for the handle regardless. Opening the door an inch, I find ocean blue eyes staring at me.
Teddy.
My heart clenches at the raw emotion on his face. His eyes shimmer with words I can’t describe as he rubs his jaw and swipes his tongue over his bottom lip.
I clear my throat, ready to dismiss him, but he finds use of his tongue before I do.
“I thought you might appreciate this.”
As if sensing my prior thoughts, he extends his hand, my device in his grip. I gape at it for a second before I even consider reaching for it.
“Thank you.” My manners are like razor blades in my throat, impossible to swallow down as I take a step back, but before I can close the door, he plants his foot against the wood, forcing me to look at him.
The sadness in his eyes has gotten worse.
I can’t stand it.
“I know you’re hurting right now, Ivy, and I’m sorry for the role I’ve played in that. But I just need you to know that you don’t have to hide away in your bathroom to acknowledge what you’re really feeling. This isn’t a show here; there aren’t any cameras this time. Don’t isolate yourself.”
Shaking my head, I sigh. “That would mean being vulnerable in unsafe hands.”
The hurt is unmissable, but it’s the truth.
“Isolation is pain’s best friend, Princess. You’re never going to find true peace in solitude.”