Epilogue- Annika
One month later
Isabelle and I are on our way to Eilish’s office to try to convince her to go to the party with us.
Myrridin House is throwing its first party of the year. Since we’re in the heart of winter, we decide on a snow and ice theme.
Everyone has been looking forward to it. Everyone except Eilish, because Lucian is heading to Russia tonight.
Eilish has been putting on her game face and acting like she’ll be okay, but she’s not. I saw her crying in the garden this morning.
She was there for me a lot when I was going through hell and couldn’t tell anyone. She has been there for Isabelle too.
“I think Eilish will love this. No one can say no to a little sugar.” Isabelle holds up the pastry box full of cupcakes she got and gives me an uncertain smile. “These are her favorite.”
“Then this was a good idea.”
“I hope so, and I hope she got to see Lucian before he left.” Isabelle grimaces. “She was talking about not saying goodbye to him because it’s so hard.”.
“I hope she changed her mind. I felt guilty this morning when I saw her. I was with Thorne. When she saw us together it was clear she was missing Lucian.” Thorne and I were kissing in the snow. Since we’re the only two people on this planet when we’re together, we didn’t notice her straightaway.
Isabelle giggles. “Don’t feel bad about that. Eilish and Lucian have been so-called best friends forever. They’ve had time to get it on. You and Thorne didn’t waste time.”
I smile back at her. “No, we didn’t.”
“Does he have another surprise for you tonight?”
I blush. Since we got back from the Bahamas for the holiday of a lifetime, Thorne has been on this quest to shower me with gifts and surprise getaways.
“I think he will.”
“You lucky girl.”
“Hey, you’ll be lucky too, soon.”
“I don’t know, but we’ll see, right?” Her tone is flat. “I guess I’d have to date first wouldn’t I?”
“Yes you would.” I place emphasis on my words to show my intense agreement. She hasn’t attempted to date anyone since she found out that asshole Kade was screwing with any guy interested in her.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Or just do it. I saw Curt Matthews looking at you earlier.”
“I noticed him, too, but since he has his own teeth, is under the age of sixty-five, doesn’t dress like Dr. Seuss, and is good looking I doubt he’ll be allowed to slip through the net.”
“I’m sure Kade isn’t still playing that game. That was several months ago.”
“I don’t know for sure, but it would certainly explain why every guy who is remotely interested in me changes course like the wind and backs away from coming near me.”
“Do you want me to talk to Thorne?” I’ve asked her that before.
“No. It’s silly and I need to deal with it myself in whatever way I can.” She nods.
My shoulders slump. “Okay. Let me know if I can help.”
“Of course.”
We reach Eilish’s office and knock on the door. There’s no answer but I’m sure she’s in there. I can hear muffled sounds.
Isabelle and I glance at each other when she knocks again and there’s still no answer.
I’d hate for Eilish to be in there crying again so I brave the task of opening the door and hope she won’t be mad at me. People say it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
When the door swings open my mouth drops, so does Isabelle’s and the two of us stand frozen to the spot as we stare at Eilish and Lucian kissing against the wall.
They’re so engrossed in each other that they haven’t even noticed our intrusion. And I’m so happy for them I can’t stop staring.
Thank God, my common sense kicks in and I realize they’ll be bound to notice us if we stay any longer.
I grab Isabelle who is so entranced by the sight of them she hasn’t thought to move.
It’s only when I ease the door shut that she snaps out of the trance.
On seeing that she looks like she might scream I tug her away and wait until we get a very safe distance before I stop.
She shrieks and jumps up and down, nearly dropping the pastry box. “Holy shit. This is such good news.”
“I know and there we were thinking she was depressed.”
Isabelle laughs. “I feel like shouting the news from the rooftop. But oh my God no, I would never do that.” She covers her mouth and giggles. “But you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean.” I smile.
“I thought he’d left campus already.”
“Looks like he stayed a little longer for her.”
“Yes, but damn it, he’s going away for a year. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait that long to find out what happens next.”
“Let’s hope so. Come on, let’s go to the party.”
“Yes,” she answers in an over-excited voice.
We share the cupcakes and finish them before we reach the hall, then we
notice the absolutely beautiful ice sculptures on the terrace. And it’s just started to snow.
It looks like something pulled from a fairytale.
“Oh my, look at that,” Isabelle gasps.
We head outside, away from the music and dancing students to walk around the sculptures and admire their beauty.
We walk the entire length of the terrace, getting lost in the artwork. They make me hear music. Happy music.
Since my father was released from prison my music doesn’t sound so much like death anymore. I can be versatile whereas before I couldn’t.
“These are so gorgeous.” I mull over the sculpture of the ballerina at the end of the platform.
Isabelle joins me and twirls around it as if she’s the ballerina, then she spins me around and we laugh as if we’ve been drinking all night.
“Maybe I should be a dancer.” She continues twirling.
“It would suit you.” I scan her little dress. It’s not as doll-like as some of her others but she still looks like a doll.
She’s about to say something but then stops abruptly. The smile on her face cracks and falls as if someone smashed it, and she stares ahead at the snow-covered garden below.
I follow her gaze and my smile fades too when I find Kade standing there watching us.
No. Not us.
He’s watching her.
He’s standing by the willow tree with his hands in his coat pockets clearly watching her .
Kade isn’t even bothering to hide it. And the look on his face…
In the moonlight it’s haunting. He looks like an otherworldly creature sent to kill.
Kill.
That’s how he’s looking at Isabelle. As if he wants to kill her.
She sees it too and her pale skin becomes paler. It’s also as if the realization has rooted her to the spot and she looks like she can’t move.
My spine tingles with that get-the-hell-out-of-here sensation that tells me to take her and run. The last time I saw anyone look so demented was when I encountered the scar-faced man.
Just the thought of him sends icicles racing over my lungs and I have to remind myself that he’s dead.
“Bambi.”
Thorne’s voice snaps me from my daze.
The moment I look at him, I feel safe again. I glance back at Kade but he’s gone. Isabelle is still staring ahead though, as if she can still see him.
Thorne comes up to me and slips an arm around my waist. “Hey.”
“Hi. We were just admiring the sculptures,” I explain, trying to keep the wariness out of my voice.
“They just started serving those strawberry cocktails you like. Thought I’d come and get you.”
“Thanks.”
He glances at Isabelle. “You okay Izzy?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.” Isabelle looks at him and tries to smile but the smile doesn’t quite reach her lips.
“It’s freezing out here. Come on let’s go inside.”
“Sure.”
She follows us when Thorne ushers me ahead but I keep my eye on her. I see the nervousness still in her as she looks over her shoulder at the spot where Kade previously stood.
When we get to the door and Thorne opens it, Isabelle schools her expression and tries to look like her usual sunshine self but I can see she’s not okay.
I feel like she needs to be careful of Kade. I don’t know why or what his problem is but that’s how I feel deep down.
Mackenzie and the other girls join us once we’re inside.
After a few minutes of talking with them Isabelle looks better and more relaxed, so I don’t feel too bad when Thorne pulls me away from the group.
He leads me back outside to the winter wonderland where we walk through the woods and over to the river. We’re alone now, and the moment and surroundings are so beautiful that I make myself forget about the unpleasant encounter with Kade.
Instead I think of the gorgeous amazing man I’m with as we walk along the river.
“I’m going to marry you in snow like this,” Thorne says, speaking against the silence.
From time to time he says things like that. We’re not officially engaged yet but he keeps dropping hints as if it’s coming. He also acts like we’re already married. The other day he called me his wife. It would have been a swoon worthy moment if he hadn’t said it to my father.
It was still nice to hear him say it. Dad smiled at me, then he looked at Mom who couldn’t stop herself from laughing. My parents are back together now. Thorne and I were visiting them for Sunday dinner.
“A wedding in the snow? Not a hot summer day?” I glance up at Thorne.
“No, that’s not us. It will look just like this and we’ll take our vows under the moonlight. This reminds me of you.” He picks up a platinum lock of my hair and allows it to coil around his finger. “What do you think?”
“I’d like that.”
“Good, because I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.”
He grins back at me. “Come here, Bambi.”
I move into him and he kisses me. Like with all his kisses, I get lost in him.