6. Ivy
IVY
T he latch clicking into place behind me soothes the dread swarming my veins, but as I lean against the closed door, uncertainty claws at my chest. I hold my breath, worried one of my many nightmares remains on the other side.
My heart races as I listen for any movement in the hallway, but relief quickly washes over me as I hear the distinct sound of another door closing not too far away.
I convince myself it’s him as I slump, barely able to keep myself upright as tendrils of exhaustion weave more thickly around my limbs.
My body aches desperately for recovery, while my mind remains sharp and vigilant.
So much has happened in such a short space of time, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to process it all, but I’m going to need to, and fast, because Neverbound Academy won’t wait for me to catch up.
Tearing myself from my thoughts before they wander off, I focus on the room before me, cast in moonlight, and devour every inch of it as my breathing slowly begins to shallow.
A tall floor lamp sits in the corner of the room and I make quick work of turning it on, flooding the room in a soft ambient glow.
I’m drawn to the four-poster bed first. It sits against the left wall with sheer, dusty-pink drapes framing it.
They rustle in the breeze that comes from the open windows on the far wall.
They’re long, vertical sheets of glass, the complete opposite of the bay frames I’m used to, but they offer a different kind of grandeur.
Especially when I can spy the main academy building off in the distance.
The wall to my right has two doors. Looking a little closer, I spy tiles through the first door, which sits ajar, and the second looks to be a walk-in closet.
I draw closer to the bed, noting a nightstand on either side and a desk nestled perfectly between the windows. The curtains match the same shade of pink, creating a calm setting, laced with peace and privacy that I can indulge in.
For the first time in my life, I might be able to hear myself think without others’ concerns getting in the way.
My nose crinkles at the remnant scent of leather and vanilla in the air, snapping my stare back to the door to reconfirm I’m alone, but I notice something else in the air, like there’s a hint of ash.
Taking a deep breath, I return my gaze to bed, my eyes latching on to the large leather case sitting dead center. Before I can make a single step toward it, I spy my ruined wedding dress, and I’m quickly reminded of my current state.
Alone, I relieve myself from the weight it carries, both physically and mentally, tearing at the fabric until it lies as a crumpled mess at my feet.
Kicking my heels off for good measure, I step out of the carnage in just my underwear, noting the dirt dried into my arms and legs, but I dismiss it all as I turn my attention to the note sitting on top of the leather-bound luggage.
To Vee,
Here’s to changing the world one fate at a time.
-H
I freeze, the familiar churning of nausea in my gut making itself known as my hand cups my mouth in an attempt to stop it.
He knew.
Hugo knew .
The color leaches from my soul, my skin prickling with deceit as I read those twelve words over and over and over again.
Every time I pass over them, my heart pangs, disbelief claiming me as I shake my head.
Why would he play a hand in this and not tell me?
I can’t think of a single explanation that makes this okay, but despite the betrayal that poisons my veins, I swallow it down.
Hugo is my person, the only one in the world who doesn’t use me to his advantage, the only one who doesn’t force his ideas and logic on me, the only one who sees me , even when I don’t see myself.
The hurt may have taken root in my stomach, but I have to trust in him. An explanation will come, I’m sure of it, I just have to make sure I’m open and listening, not feeling the fury that simmers just beneath the surface right now.
Putting a pin in the thoughts swirling about my brother, I swipe the note aside and reach for the latch. It steals my breath as nerves threaten to get the better of me, but it’s quickly replaced with curiosity as I spy the device inside, yet it’s what sits beneath it that holds my attention.
Another note.
Your clothes were never fitting in here.
They’re already in the closet.
-H
Instead, nestled perfectly beneath my academy-issued device, I recognize my fencing kit.
I smile as I run my fingers over the familiar fabric, dulling my chaotic emotions.
A yawn escapes my lips, reminding me of the exhaustion seeping into my bones despite the curiosity and excitement for my new surroundings
Removing the device, I close the trunk and shift it to the floor before scurrying over to the closet.
Clothes line every inch of the space, my shoes are organized down the length of the wall to my right, while my favorite accessories take up the left.
But as I pay closer attention to the clothes before me, I quickly realize there are none of the dresses my mother insists on, it’s all the things I like to wear.
I smile when I find my favorite denim jeans hanging among the pants, and grin even wider when I spot my go-to pink tank top.
But it’s the pastel floral pajamas that make me giddy.
Grabbing them, I pin them to my chest, my mind swirling at the familiar scent of home while battling thoughts of my brother.
The choices here make me feel seen, but the secrets I’m clearly not privy to leave my heart conflicted.
I haven’t got the brain power to dissect it any further tonight. Instead, I spin on my heels and head for the bathroom.
Blindly finding the switch, I illuminate the space in a soft glow, paying no mind to anything but the shower tucked in the far corner.
Turning on the spray, I groan with relief when I find a towel already hanging on the hook.
Hurrying out of my underwear, I step into the shower, groaning when warm water hits my skin.
Every droplet plays a part in washing the day away; the toiletries fixed to the wall solidify it as they fill the air with a new scent of amber and sandalwood. It’s a stark contrast to my mother’s insistence on rose-scented everything, and I embrace it.
A new bedroom.
A new scent.
A new me.
With a slightly encouraged mindset, I finish my shower, towel myself off, and slip into my pajamas.
Feeling accomplished, I head toward my bed where my new device awaits.
I open the cover as I climb up the sheets, catching sight of the words ‘Enrollment Pack’ lit up on the screen, but before I can press to open the details, sleep claims me.
Fire consumes my dreams.
Embers.
Flickers.
Flames.
A blend of reds, oranges, and yellows fills my vision, flooding me with warmth and a darkness that lingers in the background, but it’s… safe.
I’m safe.
No matter how lost I feel, how skewed my sense of direction is, I know I’m okay.
Laughter dances in the air around me, luring me from the pits of sleep as I dare to pry a single eyelid open. The sun peeking through the windows is blinding, and I quickly squint, shielding my eyes from the sudden onslaught of light.
Turning away from the glare, my palm hits a hard surface, making me freeze as I slowly come to my senses. The uncomfortable art of opening my eyelids is unceremonious, my vision blurred by tendrils of hair sticking up in every direction before my eyes latch on to the device beside me.
All at once, I’m reminded of the past twenty-four hours.
From angel, to bride, to fated mate and Neverbound Academy student.
It was a whirlwind for sure, but it’s the sight of the enrollment pack that sits unopened on the device that causes me the most distress. I passed out so hard, I didn’t even worry about what I might need to know today.
Dammit.
Darting up, I swipe at my face more times than necessary in an attempt to tame my hair, my heart racing in my chest as my mind rattles to life.
“Oh, good, you’re awake.”
I scream, my eyes widening as my back slams against the headboard behind me. Fear consumes me as my gaze latches on to a small red… thing, floating in the air at the edge of the bed.
Rapidly blinking, I expect my vision to sharpen, but to my horror, the fluttering red… something, continues to exist.
My eyes narrow, disbelief taking root as I stare in bewilderment at the fluttering being before me. They’re barely bigger than the size of my hand, with a red glow emitting from them. As if they’re a little ball of fire with a face.
They clear their throat, flipping and diving without getting any closer before they speak.
“I’m guessing you’ve never seen a sprite before.
” I shake my head as I attempt to swallow past the lump forming in my throat.
They nod in understanding while folding their arms over their chest. “Well, first of all, we don’t like loud noises. ”
A huff parts my lips. “I don’t really care for being startled the second I wake up, either,” I retort, my fingers curling into the sheets beside me as they loop and spin in the air.
“In my defense, you’re on the verge of being late, and I was?—”
“Late?” I interject, bringing one hand to my chest as I try to ease the tension rippling through me, but it’s impossible.
“I assume you fell asleep without reading the enrollment pack,” they state, giving me a pointed look.
I rub my lips together and sigh. “Your assumption is correct,” I admit, and they nod, spinning like a ballerina before clapping their hands.
“We’re good. You get dressed, I’ll tell you what you need to know,” they offer, but before I can nod, I freeze, eyebrows pinching with wariness.
“Who are you? And actually, how are you in here?” I ask, my gaze darting to the closed door, while the windows sit slightly ajar, the sound of laughter still ringing through the air and making its way up to my room. Is that how they got in?