Chapter 16
Luna
Nico and I stand behind the glass as we wait for our names to be called. He says something, but I barely register the words. All I can hear is the pounding of my heart and the blood rushing through my ears.
I shouldn’t be nervous. We’ve nailed this routine in practice over and over.
To make matters worse, I can’t stop thinking about that stupid kiss. It was just a kiss and didn’t mean anything. I’m more upset that I let it happen.
A round of applause breaks me out of my thoughts as the pair before us finishes.
We’re next.
Nico and I step onto the ice, and everything else disappears.
Except for him. Even in a room full of people, I feel him.
My eyes scan the stands until they land on Zayden near the back. His eyes are locked on me like I’m the only one here.
He’s not cheering, clapping, or smiling. Just watching me, and that’s what calms my nerves.
Not the deep breath I took in the locker room.
Not Nico’s steady hand or the hundreds of hours of practice.
Just him.
I look away first, because if I don’t, I won’t move at all.
The music starts, and we glide to our starting position. I bring my necklace to my lips and kiss it, like I always do before every showcase or competition.
I close my eyes for a second, blocking out everything. The lights, the crowds, the judges. When I open them, I’m at the Shadow Rink, skating with Zayden. I move the way I do when it’s just the two of us. Free, no holding back, not trying to prove anything to anyone.
Nico’s hands rest on my waist, and we go for the final lift. He pushes me upward until I’m balancing on his palms, arms extended, one leg stretched upward. And he spins me through the air like I’m weightless.
Then he lowers me. I touch down on one blade, and we glide into our final position as the music comes to an end.
The arena is quiet before the applause begins. I look up to find Sophie and Annika in the audience, clapping and jumping. I smile and wave at them.
Nico squeezes my hand and leads me aside. We stop near the corner of the rink with the rest of the skaters and coaches as we wait for the results.
He bumps his shoulder against mine, and I glance up at him.
He gives me one of his boyish smiles. His brown hair is a mess from the routine, falling in loose waves across his forehead.
His fair skin is pinkish from all the movement.
He’s kinda cute, but definitely not my type. I don’t think I’m his type either.
Then the announcer’s voice cuts through the arena. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. The results are in for the Valcérre Ice Pair Showcase.”
The room stills. Every sound fades, except the pounding in my ears.
“In third place…”
Names I don’t fully register. Applause.
“In second place…”
A pause.
My lungs lock.
“Luna Del Sol and Nicholas Morriseau.”
It takes a second for it to sink in, like my brain can’t process what I just heard, until Nico turns to me, grinning, and throws both arms around me.
“We did it.”
My breath finally releases on a laugh as I grip him back, squeezing tightly.
Second.
We qualified. We’re going to the Continentals.
I can hear Sophie and Annika screaming my name across the stands. I wave and smile at them.
The noise, the lights, the congratulations, they all start to blur. I mumble something to Nico about needing air and slip out of the group. I stop at the bench outside the rink where my bag is. I grab my skate guards and put them on the blades before heading to my locker to change.
The sound of the arena fades into the background as I swap my skates for my boots. I don’t bother changing out of my costume, just pull my coat over it.
I sling the bag over my shoulder and push open the side door, the cold hitting me instantly.
It’s dark outside, except for the light coming from the single street lamp across from the building.
I haven’t even looked yet, but I know he’s here. My body senses him before my brain can catch up—like it always does.
I fucking hate it.
He’s leaning against the stone wall of the arena, a few feet away from the exit, half-wrapped in shadow. His black puffer jacket makes him look broader, his hands shoved in his pockets.
“What are you doing out here?” I ask.
His eyes lock on me like he’s trying to decide whether to answer or not.
“Seriously, are you stalking me now?” I snap.
He lifts an eyebrow, telling me that he was here first.
Okay, he has a point there. Even though I never agreed to speak fluent Zayden Aldenhurst.
“Second place. Not bad for an ice princess, right?”
Before I have time to see his reaction…
Buzz.
My phone vibrates, and I pull it out of my coat.
Unknown Number: You’ve been invited to the Midnight Challenge. Shadow Rink. At midnight. Be there.
My throat goes dry.
I look up.
Zayden’s already staring at me. “What is it?”
“It’s another anonymous message.”
“Let me see.” He grabs the phone from my hand, reading the message before he gives it back to me. “You’re not going.”
Not a suggestion, but an order. Who the fuck does he think he is?
“Excuse me?” I blink at him.
He steps toward me. “I’m not letting you go back there.”
I straighten my back and adjust my bag over my shoulder. “You don’t tell me what to do, Zayden.”
“This isn’t a joke, Luna.”
“Then maybe start telling me what’s going on. What the hell is a Midnight Challenge?” I glare at him. This time, I’m not letting him dodge the question.
“Not here,” he exhales, like he’s already tired of this argument.
“Then where?”
“The cabin. I’ll explain everything there,” he says, already walking away.
“No.” I stand my ground. “You keep saying you’ll explain everything, but you never do. I’m not moving until you tell me what you know.”
“Don’t make me carry you to the car.” He steps forward, closing the space between us. We stare at each other, neither of us moving. And for one wild second, I think he might actually do it.
“You better not lie to me again,” I mutter as I shove past him.
Did I mention I loathe him?
I fucking do.
The inside of the cabin is colder and darker than last time. Zayden tosses wood in the pit, starting the fire like it’s just another normal night and we’re just here to hang out.
It catches quickly, and the orange flames light up the sharp lines of his face, making it hard to look away.
I cross my arms over my chest and wait. When it seems like he’s not going to talk first, I snap. “You said you’d tell me. I’m here, so fucking tell me. What’s a Midnight Challenge, and why am I getting invited to it?”
He doesn’t answer or even look at me.
And I’m getting fucking tired of being ignored.
I move toward him, my fists clenched at my sides. “Zayden.”
He finally looks at me, and something in his expression shifts, like whatever he’s been holding back is heavy. Like saying it out loud will cost him something.
He tosses the last log onto the fire and stands slowly, dusting off his hands. “It used to be a secret competition.”
“Used to be?” I ask.
He nods. “Back when the Shadow Rink was open. Invitation only. No coaches. No rules. Just the best athletes, underground bets, and a shit ton of pressure.”
“And?” I whisper. “What happened?”
His eyes meet mine. “Someone got hurt. Afterward, the rink was shut down.”
I take a step back. “And you knew all that and didn’t say anything until now?” The words cut through the space between us.
Zayden flinches. “It’s not that simple, Luna.”
“Bullshit.”
“You don’t understand how things work around here.” He looks tired and frustrated, kike this conversation is taking everything left in him.
I scoff. “Right. Because I’m not a legacy like y’all. Got it.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He runs a hand over his mouth like he’s trying to shut himself up.
“There are things we don’t talk about. Not without consequences. The Midnight Challenge is one of them.” He’s closer now, eyes locked on mine, so many emotions swirling in them. “This is why you can’t go. Whoever sent that message is messing with you.”
“You don’t get to decide that.” I’ve been making my own decisions for as long as I can remember. Besides, no one messes with me and gets away with it. Maybe if I go, I’ll find out who’s behind it.
He starts pacing, then stops to look at me again. “You don’t get it. It’s not safe for you to go back there.”
I shake my head furiously. Funny of him to act like he cares now. “Why do you even care? You don’t even like me.” I laugh bitterly. “I’m just another ice princess, remember?”
That wall he always keeps up? It cracks. Just a little.
“Well, guess what? I’m going.”
His nostrils flare. “God damn it. Stop being so fucking stubborn.”
“Fuck you, Zayden.” I shove him hard in the chest, and he grabs my wrists. Not rough. But enough to stop me. “Let go of me.”
Neither of us moves. We’re breathing hard now. Close enough to feel the heat rising off each other like the fire behind us.
And then he’s kissing me. I should push him off, but the second our lips meet, every part of me lights up, and all I feel is him.
And I want more of him.
His hands are already on my thighs, lifting me like I weigh nothing. My legs wrap around his waist on instinct, and then my back hits the wall hard, but I barely register it.
I grab his hoodie, dragging him closer, even though there’s no space left between us. Every line of his body is pressed against me. But I need him closer.
I gasp when his hips shift, pressure slamming into the ache that’s been pulsing low in my belly. I grind against him without meaning to, needing friction, needing something more.
He groans, deep in his throat, and bites my bottom lip. I moan into his mouth, and he kisses me harder, like that sound ruined him.
His kisses trail down my jaw, my neck, up to my ear. Zayden’s hands are everywhere, on my waist, my thighs. His mouth finds mine once more, this time deeper, slower. The fire has burned through us, leaving something softer behind.
Our foreheads press together, and the world goes still as his thumb brushes across my cheek.
“Please,” he whispers. “Promise me you won’t go back there.”
Something opens in my chest.
Because I wasn’t expecting this. Not from him.
And that scares me more.
“Zayden…What is it you’re not telling me?” My voice shakes.
He brings his eyes to mine, and for a second, I think he’s gonna tell me, but instead, he lets go slowly. I slide down until my feet find the floor again.
He takes a step back, but I still feel him like a ghost pressed against my skin. “Come on. I’ll take you back.”
Seriously!?
I stare at him, hoping for something, but he gives me nothing.
“Fine.” I move past him without another word and head for the door.