Chapter 12
twelve
. . .
When Aolyn and I return to our room, I instantly feel lighter.
We throw our bags down and change quickly into simple gowns, complete with thick cloaks to conceal us.
I let my hair down to fit in with the commoners and use a quick color spray to attempt to conceal the recognizable white strands.
The brown covers the white easily enough, but the hints of blue still shimmer through, albeit in a duller hue now.
We both use the masking clay to cover our family crest tattoos.
As Baedyn transitions into the season of waning light, there’s a noticeable chill in the air. The temperature will gradually drop for the next five rotations, but true winter will never impact Baedyn, one of Calia’s designs of our system, and each planet’s individual weather systems.
After checking out at the front desk, we make our way to the storage buildings that house the transport pods.
The pods are egg-shaped, glass transports that can seat up to ten people, five on either side.
We hop into the assigned pod, excitement becoming a tangible thing around us as we head to the village for the first time.
The soft chime of the pod fills the air as the lights dim to a soft green emanating from the control panel at the front.
Aolyn taps the pre-populated navigation button as it navigates out of the garage and across campus.
While the hologram professor goes on a spiel about remaining seated through the ride, Kamden and Tate scroll through the list of music.
As we leave campus, I realize I should have left a note or message for both Anders and Kellan. I left my Prism behind, opting for a technology-free evening with my friends. I’m sure they’ll both be worried about my absence at dinner.
The guilt knots in my stomach when I remember I was supposed to meet with Anders before bed. I’ll have to find him in the morning and explain. Plus, it’s not like I’ve had any time to research.
During the ride to the village, the five of us snap selfies on Ciara’s Prism, and I beg her to send me some of them to post on The Link. Cassia has been hounding me again about posting. The four of them power off their devices, tucking them away safely in their cloaks.
Tate and Ciara’s off-key singing fills the air as the pod glides through the snowy mountain pass. The tall granite walls are adorned with a blanket of snow. Unlike the larger transports, this pod hovers just above the ground, giving us a panoramic view of the landscape.
Tiny animal tracks weave through the sparkling snow. It’s interesting to think that on this vast and largely uninhabited planet, few choose to call the snowy mountains home over the endless warmth of the forest.
As we step out of the pod, I’m greeted by the tantalizing aroma of exotic spice and the delightful sounds of laughter and music from somewhere deep within the village.
The village is surprisingly larger than I expected, not that I knew what to expect, as I’ve never been here.
Cobblestoned streets and alleyways wind between buildings that vary in both size and shape.
Some of the structures appear dilapidated, as if they’ve stood for ages and are entering their final stages, with mismatched, overlaid boards holding them together.
Others outshine their neighbors with modern touches of stone and glass, reminiscent of colonial architecture. The blend of old and new speaks about the community here and their willingness to live side by side, rather than creating districts or factions based on wealth and status.
I love it.
“This way,” Tate orders, leading the way down an alleyway with clotheslines overhead.
Linking his arm through Ciara’s, he tugs her into the first shop we stumble upon at the other end of the alleyway, which spills into a vibrant market. The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, making my mouth water. Aolyn and Kamden follow, sharing smiles of their own.
We meander from shop to shop, sampling delectable treats and trying on various outfits, playfully modeling them for one another.
I even wander into a bookstore, dutifully hunting for anything ancient, but I come up empty-handed.
I needed this escape to feel free from worries about the future and the weight of the Bond, to focus on my friendships, and to allow myself to genuinely relax.
With the evening still young and in the spirit of being twenty-one, I find a stand peddling a fruity drink, deciding to treat everyone. A blend of strawberries, lemon, and honey hits my tongue at the first sip.
While waiting, I notice the woman behind the counter looks dead on her feet, as if she’s been awake for days.
My heart clenches when she spins to fill a bottle with another liquor, and I see the baby secured on her back.
I struggle with emotions, only able to imagine the challenges she’s facing.
I wish I could offer her support, but I’m not allowed to intervene as a princess.
Something about handouts, bad optics, and favoritism.
Instead, I leave the remaining coins I have in a pouch with her and walk away, hoping they will assist her in some way. It should be enough to pay her rent for a month or hire a sitter.
As dusk settles in and the moons cast a silvery glow over the tents and buildings of the market, we wander toward the bustling square, filled with music and dancing.
When Aolyn shakes her head at Kamden, I push him onto the makeshift dance floor, letting myself get lost in the music as the crowd around us brushes past, lost in their own worlds.
After several songs, I find Aolyn on the edge of the dance floor, and I know it’s time to call it a night and head back.
“Let’s go,” I squeal as Tate lifts me over his shoulders and spins me.
He chuckles, holding me tightly as he takes off running. My laughter drowns out the music as he runs toward an alleyway to shortcut the walk back.
“Do we have to go back?” Ciara pouts, running after us. Her caramel face is flushed but looks beautiful, even with her sweat-slicked hair.
“We do,” Aolyn chimes in playfully, wrapping her arm around Kamden’s waist. He turns even more crimson than he already is from dancing. Tate drops me back to my feet as we reach the pod.
It’s late when we make our way back to Taeolyn, and the gentle illumination of the hall lights casts a warm glow around us. With my sweat-cooled skin, a chill dances across my bare arms.
Kamden hoists Aolyn onto his back, ready to carry her upstairs. Meanwhile, Tate bends low, shooting me a grin over his shoulder with a questioning challenge in his eyes.
“Ready for a ride?” he asks, wiggling his brows.
I groan. “Gods, you’re insufferable.” I leap onto his back, and everyone attempts to contain their laughter.
“So eager,” Tate chuckles, just before I smack his shoulder. He grips my thighs over my gown as I toss my cloak to Ciara. She’d never be caught on anyone’s back—her pride wouldn’t allow it.
Our voices are a symphony of hushed whispers that echo through the hall as we ascend to the top floor. We shush each other, attempting to stifle the flow of laughter.
Kamden and Tate bring us to our door, and with a shared glance, Aolyn and I slide down from their backs. Both men pause, the air thick with an unspoken tension that makes them hesitate. I push past Tate and halt, guilt pinning me to the spot.
“Let’s go, now,” Anders demands, his voice firm and unyielding. His withering glare would make anyone crumble, but I muster the strength to stand firm, although a tremor wracks through my body, betraying my emotions.
The others glance at each other, a silent understanding passing among them, and one by one, they slowly retreat from my side, leaving me facing the angry dorm leader alone.
“Thanks, guys.” I scowl as I witness them all take another step away from me. A part of me wishes for one of them to stay, but Anders looks terrifying shrouded in darkness.
“Do you want—” Aolyn starts, throwing a thumb over her shoulder, gesturing towards the group, attempting to assist my escape. She pauses mid-sentence, flinching as if sensing the weight of Anders’ glare landing on her.
“Just Raea. The rest of you better find your rooms,” he snaps, turning away with a briskness that leaves no room for argument.
He marches down the hall, leaving me reeling with my thoughts.
I’ve never witnessed him so worked up before.
His anger is like a tangible, living thing, radiating off him like a storm, waiting to swallow me up.
Drawing in a deep breath, I brace myself and follow him.
“Good luck,” Kamden whispers, and my shoulders tense with apprehension as I round the corner, disappearing from their view. I should have been more open with Anders to at least alert him that I was leaving. It was a shitty move, and I’ll own the mistake.
When Anders finally turns to face me, I can see the storm raging in his eyes—a whirlwind of anger and longing that is both terrifying and strangely...intoxicating. My body reacts without permission, going on high alert for all the wrong reasons.
“In. Now,” he demands, his voice a rough growl as he holds open the door to his dorm room, the dim light spilling out in the hallway. The air between us crackles with tension, though our Bond is thankfully hidden.
I cross my arms tightly over my chest, determined to stand my ground, even more unwilling to give away my inappropriate thoughts at the first sight of his room.
His room is tucked away down its own secluded hall, away from any prying eyes. When it finally sinks in that I won’t be stepping inside, he clenches his jaw, working the muscle in his cheek, and with a sharp exhale, lets the door close.
“Where were you?” he snaps, his voice cutting through the thick silence.
He towers over me, his frame casting a long shadow as I tilt my head back to meet his stormy gaze.
There’s something about the dimness of the hallway, the strong scent of sandalwood and citrus, but the urge to wrap my arms around him and pull him close, somehow bridging the distance between us, overwhelms me and drowns out my anger.
Right now, I just want to reach out and beg for forgiveness.
Instead, I bury those emotions deep within me. “The village,” I reply, with a slight shrug. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
“Why didn’t you?” His question is laced with fear I’m not ready to acknowledge. It would only further my guilt, but I promised myself I wouldn’t be one of those women.
“Can we not do this? Look, I’m sorry. I messed up.
I’m not used to having to check in with you.
It won’t happen again. But I’m tired and now is not the right time to argue.
” I say, as I watch his jaw tighten again, along with his whole body.
The fabric of his black shirt stretches taut over his muscles as he stands silent for a moment, his eyes swirling, the only emotion that gives away the war within.
His hands swipe through his hair in exasperation as his features crack.
Abruptly, he closes the gap between us, his palm pressing against the wall beside my head, effectively boxing me in.
He takes several ragged breaths, squeezing his eyes shut as if to stave off the brewing storm within.
After a heartbeat, they pop open again, and I’m met with a silvery gaze, a mix of fury and something deeper. ..maybe...fear.
My throat feels thick as I try to swallow down the emotions bubbling to the surface. Just as I’m about to apologize again, he speaks first.
“Raea, gods, I was worried sick about you and—” He reaches for me, but instinctively, I step back, hitting the wall. Suddenly, this hallway is too small and too intimate.
“And what, Anders?” It comes out a little breathless. I was aiming for stern, but it seems I’ve lost all ability to talk. “I was fine. I’m allowed to do things with my friends. I just want to be normal while I can. You have to understand that.”
He looks genuinely distressed, his hair tousled as if he’s spent the entire evening running his hands through it, and with the faint scent of mead wafting off him, I know he’s been drinking.
“I do,” he sighs. “Gods, I do, Raea.”
His large, calloused hand gently grips my elbow, drawing me closer until we’re nearly touching. I attempt to take another step away, but he follows, eliminating the distance between us.
His hands find my waist, fingers pressing into my hips. His sudden proximity makes my heart race even as my mind shouts reminders to pull away. He bends down so close that we share air, the energy between us humming in delight, taut like a physical string pulling us together.
His gaze flickers to my lips, and my core liquifies, pooling in my stomach.
I bite down on my lip to suppress the whimper that threatens to betray me.
I desperately need air—fresh air—to gather myself because if I don’t leave, I don’t trust myself not to close the final distance and find out for myself exactly how soft his lips are.
My mind lingers on how it would feel to kiss him while my eyes lock on his mouth.
If I kissed him, would it be tender and gentle?
Or would he possess me, devouring me and taking control, leaving me craving more?
I find myself leaning more toward the latter.
The thought is almost as intoxicating as if our lips were to actually collide.
I don’t know who moves, him or me, but the space between our mouths dwindles until our bodies are flush, his warmth stealing every thought from me as I bring my palms to his chest. Beneath my hand, his heart thumps erratically.
Time has slowed around me, the world falling away as he rests his forehead against mine, the rapid rise and fall of our breaths the only sound I hear. If his touch is a spark, his kiss will be an inferno.
Dorm leader. Not yours. Don’t be that girl. My mind almost screams the words at me, even though my heart is begging me to stay. In a moment of clarity, I gently push, retreating quickly before I turn back.
Oh gods. I almost just kissed Anders Rykerson.