40. Ivy
Chapter 40
Ivy
I’m back at Raventhorn and everything looks and feels amazing to me.
I arrived half an hour ago and decided to go for a walk by the river. I’m seeing Thorne later, but I wanted to get reacquainted with the campus.
I’ve been away for a total of two weeks. The bulk of that time was spent with my mother and father.
The Knights gave Dad a two-story mansion in Lexington and released all his assets so he has access to everything he previously owned.
He’s been given that part of his life back, but my parents have a lot to figure out for themselves.
I have no doubt that they’ll get back together, though. Mom is talking about relocating here in Boston, so that’s a good step. I want them to get back together.
I know we won’t forget Levgen’s’ treachery anytime soon, but focusing on him taints the goodness we have received in getting Dad back. It also prevents us from moving on.
With my parents taken care of, I now step back into the shoes of my life here, but I don’t feel like the same person I was when I left.
For the first time since coming here, I feel like I belong.
I’m not a stepchild anymore, who has to be careful with her secrets. I’m here as the daughter of a Knight who is no longer disgraced.
That’s why everything feels so different.
I walk along the river and spot Isabelle and Mackenzie crossing over the bridge. The two see me, too, and start running toward me.
No one knows the truth yet. It will be announced next week as part of the protocol to clear my father’s name, but I want to tell them.
Especially because I’m going back to my old name— Annika .
I never really stopped being her so it won’t be hard.
“Oh my gosh, you’re actually back.” Isabelle hugs me.
“I’m back.”
“We missed you, girl.” Mackenzie gives me a hug too. “I hope everything is okay at home.”
“Yeah, how are your parents?” Isabelle stares at me with concern.
“There’s … some stuff I have to tell you. Can we grab a coffee?”
“Of course,” Isabelle says and Mackenzie nods, then the two exchange worried glances. “Come on. It will be our treat.”
“Thanks.”
We head down the path. I look at them and feel grateful to have them as my friends. That feels good, too.
Thorne is standing by my living room window when I return to my room.
My heart lifts at the sight of him.
Talking with Isabelle and Mackenzie was quite emotional, but I did it. I feel better for getting everything off my chest and my life feels more real now.
I’m no longer a secret shared by a handful of people.
Thorne turns to face me. An easy, sexy grin slides across his handsome face as he looks me up and down. “A word of advice, Bambi. It’s not good to keep your lord waiting for you when he can’t wait to feast on your body.”
“Sorry, my lord, I was talking to my friends.”
“How did that go?”
“Good. They know I’m Annika Bershov now.”
His smile widens. “That’s good, Annika . I’ll bet your father is happy about that.”
“He is. My mom is too. I finally feel like I can be myself and not hide in someone else’s body.”
“You were never in someone else’s body. You were always Annika to me, and I like this body.” He gives me a scandalous look that has my body temperature rising.
“Do you now?”
A cheeky grin dances on his firm lips. “Come here to me, Annika.”
I love the way he says my name and the ravenous look in his eyes. I walk over to him, and he pulls me in for a kiss.
“I have something for you,” he whispers across my lips.
“What is it?”
Thorne reaches into his pocket. He pulls out my ring. The ring my father made for me. The ring that sent me on this wild, crazy path with Thorne Ivanov and led me here.
He holds it up to the light, then hands it to me. “You can wear this with pride now.”
I beam back at him, then I look at the inscription engraved on the inside of the band. “Thank you. You’re right. I can wear it with pride now.”
“You can wear it until we’re engaged. Then you’ll only wear my ring.”
A tremor shoots through me, then my blood drains from my face and I know I’m pale. Fire rushes back to my skin when I truly process what he said and suddenly I’m so hot I can’t breathe. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. I told you, you’re mine. I meant it, so I’ll never be done with you. Not even death can keep me away from you, Annika Bershov .”
His words leave me breathless, as if the air has deserted my lungs. But my mind and body are filled with him.
“Me too. It’s the same for me too.”
“I love you.” He smiles again and brushes his nose over mine.
“I love you, too.”
We fall into a kiss that’s filled with promises and all my dreams come true.
It turned out that Thorne Ivanov was my Knight in shining armor, and I can’t wait to be with him for the rest of forever.