29. Ivy #2
“Don’t apologize, Princess. I’ve waited all week for this. I’m not letting a little drop of water get in our way. Besides…” He holds his hands near the material and we both silently watch him extract the water from the fabric to discard it with a soft splash a second later.
This time, he offers me his arm instead of dragging me along, and before I can think better of it, I nestle my hand in the crook of his elbow. His steps are slower now, casual and paced, like he’s trying to extend how long it takes us to arrive.
That’s fine by me.
“So, when did you learn to fence?” he asks, startling me as he breaks the silence. There are a few other people scattered around campus, each heading in the same direction as us, but he pays them no mind as he centers all of his attention on me.
“I was twelve,” I admit, and his eyes widen in surprise.
“That young?”
I nod. “Hugo was super into it, and well, I just wanted to be like Hugo.” He smiles, his free hand landing on top of mine on his arm as I attempt to redirect the attention to him. “When did you?”
A soft smile ghosts his lips as he glances off in the distance for a few beats before he returns his gaze to mine.
“It’s one of the earliest memories I have with my father.
He loved it, so I did. Just like you and Hugo, I guess,” he offers, and my fingers instinctively curl into his jacket, silent comfort morphing between us.
“Is he the reason you got so good?” I ask, and he wiggles his eyebrows.
“That was all me, baby.” I giggle, the sound obnoxious, and I cover my mouth with my hand. “Do you want to know a secret, though?” he adds, and I cock a brow at him in silent question. “Hugo told me your tell. Otherwise, I would never have noticed it.”
I freeze on the spot, pausing him along with me as I gape at him in disbelief. “That motherfucker,” I breathe, and he laughs.
“You’re cute when you cuss, Princess.”
“And you’re not cute when you cheat,” I hiss back with a huff, but it only makes him laugh more.
“I’ll let you get me back next time,” he offers, and I purse my lips.
“That’s not how this works. I win because I’m good enough, not because you feel sorry for me,” I grumble, and he nods.
“Fair. I can’t wait.” Our gazes lock in place, the world stretching and morphing around us, like it’s just the two of us, before he takes a step and I fall back into sync with him. “So, what do I need to know about your parents?” he asks, and I scoff.
“Nothing.”
“That’s not how this is going to work if we want the upper hand, Princess,” he states, and I groan, spying the main academy building entrance up ahead, confirming I don’t have enough time, and I know he’s right.
“My father is an ass. He loves to hold his power, and the control it offers him, over everyone. His whole ability is to be able to control the energy around him, which is why Heaven’s Ridge loves him so much, and his enemies melt under his intensity.
He’s focused solely on politics and superiority.
Tonight, I’m sure he’s going to try and regain control since the last time we saw him. ”
His jaw ticks with frustration, but he keeps it to himself as he nods. “And your mother?”
“She cares about appearances. More than love, more than kindness, more than anything else in the entire world. She has a sharp tongue, a laser-eye intensity that will spot a needle in a haystack from half a mile away, along with the uncanny ability to make me feel like a toddler at all times.”
He brings my hands to his lips, peppering two light kisses against my skin, and it steals my breath. “And your mother’s ability?”
I gape at him, my brain short-circuiting for a second before I clear my throat. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” he repeats, like it’s insanity, and I nod in confirmation as he scrubs his jaw.
“I can’t decide if that’s because it’s so bad she doesn’t care to share it, or because it’s so intense knowing could put you in danger,” he mumbles, almost to himself, as my eyebrows gather in confusion.
“That doesn’t make sense. What do you mean knowing could put you in danger?”
Before he can answer, we’re surrounded by other students as everyone gathers at the doors. I make a mental note to save that question for later as we get swept up in the masses.
It’s exciting to see everyone all dressed up as we enter, a soft melody playing in the background as we head toward the ballroom.
Circular tables fill the space, soft voices muttering among themselves as everyone basks in the atmosphere.
A brass band plays on the stage while servers dart around the space, almost invisible to the untrained eye, but I’ve made it my mission to thank them at every event I’ve ever been to, and now it’s second nature.
“Is that Hugo over there?” Teddy asks, pointing toward the left, and my gaze snaps in that direction, instantly regretting it when I find my brother and see he’s not alone.
He’s nestled between my mother and father, but they’re not the only people at the table. Three others join them, with space for two more, standing like a beacon as I struggle to breathe.
“You didn’t say they would be sitting with us,” I grumble, and he grins.
“You never asked. Besides, it’s not by choice, it’s The Fates, remember?”
I roll my eyes at him before returning my attention to the table. “If that’s the case, then where are everyone else’s parents?”
“Baron and Sax have two younger sisters, who also have a parent-teacher conference tonight. The guys insisted they do that instead.”
“And Archer?” I push, struggling to accept the fact that only my parents are at the table, both of whom are glaring across the room at me. My mother’s gaze lingers on my dress, while my father glowers at the point where Teddy and I are connected.
“His father is away on business, and his mother is unwell.”
“And I’m guessing you’re relieved your mother isn’t here?” I add, and he nods with a wink.
“Princess, don’t tell me you’re paying attention. You’ll make me blush,” he snickers before setting us in motion again.
We weave through the crowd with ease, and all too quickly, I find myself at our assigned table.
“Vee,” Hugo hollers, launching from his chair as I grow close, but when I move to step into his embrace, Teddy’s hand slips to mine, intertwining our fingers and holding me back.
I frown back at him, but he shrugs, letting Hugo eliminate the rest of the distance to hug me.
“Thanks, man,” Hugo whispers, making my frown deepen as I realize he’s talking to Teddy. “You look stunning, Vee.”
“You brush up well yourself, brother,” I reply softly, confusion clouding my thoughts as he squeezes my arm.
“Take a seat. We might have a little time to catch up before food is served,” he replies, retaking his seat with our mother on his left and our father on his right.
“Little time? She’s an hour late,” my mother chastises, disappointment shimmering in her eyes as she glares at me.
Late? This is the exact time Teddy told me to be ready.
I take my seat, Teddy on my left and Sax already on my right, as I part my lips, ready to explain, but before I can breathe a single word, Teddy places his hand on my thigh and squeezes.
“I’m sorry about that, Mrs. Hayworth. It’s completely my fault. We were working through her history assignment to make sure it was going to earn her top marks and we got a little carried away.”
I blink at him, but he doesn’t turn my way to see.
The corner of Hugo’s mouth tips up and I lean back in my seat.
Was this planned?
“You’re welcome,” my brother mouths with a wink, confirming my assumption, and I can’t decide if I’m overjoyed or not, but quickly settle on the former.
I’d rather feel my mother’s wrath for five seconds than deal with her for an extra hour.
I almost owe Teddy a thank you for this.
“Aren’t you going to come and greet your mother and father, Ivy?” My father’s voice cuts through the air, zapping any joy in reach as my eyes latch on to his.
I part my lips, ready to politely decline, when servers appear around the table, moving in sync as they place our starters in front of us. Blinking down at the bowl of tomato soup, I’ve never been more relieved.
“Thank you,” I breathe, glancing at the server with a genuine smile. Half for their silent efforts, and half for the save they don’t even realize they offered me.
I waste no time redirecting my energy to my food, but before my spoon can hit the liquid, my mother clears her throat. “Thank you, but please, take mine away, and hers.”
My eyes dart to hers as I freeze. “I want mine,” I mutter, and she huffs.
“Please, Ivy, be mindful. Soup is not ideal in public, and we both know how clumsy you are. As much as I despise your choice of dress, I wouldn’t want you to ruin it and cause a scene. Besides, you look as if you’ve gained a few pounds since I last saw you.”
Teddy’s hand tightens on my thigh, reminding me that he hasn’t moved it, as Sax’s hand does the same thing on the other side, but I’m too locked on her words to shoo them both off. Instead, I’m fighting the burning sensation at the back of my eyes as my pulse races in my ears.
I’d built an armor to her words, protecting me from how deep they can cut, but it seems some time away from her has me slacking, and she’s hitting her mark harder than ever.
As if on cue, a server appears at my side, ready to take the bowl, despite the spoon still lingering a millimeter above it, but Sax’s hand disappears from my leg to wrap around the server’s wrist.
“Thank you, but she’s not done.” He’s cool, calm, and collected, a far cry from me, but to my surprise, the server doesn’t argue as they disappear just as quickly as they returned.
I can feel my mother’s eyes on me, but I can’t bring myself to look.
“Thank you for your observations, Mrs. Hayworth, but I can assure you, Ivy is her own woman. She’s healthy, mindful, attentive, and the last person in this room to cause a scene,” Archer states, as if he’s sitting across from an enemy in a business meeting, his fingers steepled together as he glares at my mother.
I can’t decide if I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole, or if I want to pounce in his lap and kiss that sweet mouth in thanks.
Enemies, Ivy. They’re all the enemies.
It’s harder to remember that fact in this moment.
My mother snickers, but there’s no humor to the sound. “I’m sure you mean well. What was your name again? Arthur?” she mocks, waving her hand dismissively, and my chest tightens. “Anyway, I know my daughter better than you, and?—”
“If she wants the damn soup, she’ll eat the damn soup,” Baron snarls, drawing my attention to him for the first time since I joined the table, and my heart stutters.
His long hair is twisted back off his face and secured at his crown, a few tendrils loose, as if he flew here on his dragon, all while he wears an impeccable black suit, with a matching shirt and tie.
Before I can enjoy checking him out a second longer, I jolt as a fist slams against the table, making the cutlery rattle as my gaze snaps to my father. He’s already staring at me, anger vibrating from him. Teddy must sense it because his grip on my thigh grows even tighter.
“Disobey your mother, Ivy, and there will be consequences.” It’s a warning, one I’m far too familiar with as Hugo sighs, dropping his napkin on the table as he glares at the side of our father’s face.
His lips part, but before a single word slips from his mouth, the room is drenched in darkness. Panic floods the room instantly as people shriek and grumble.
My heart races in my chest.
“Another power outage?” Sax blurts from my side as Teddy’s hand drags up my leg to my side. He leans in close, pressing his lips against my ear.
“What do you say, Princess? Perfect excuse to leave?”
My breath stutters as I consider his offer. Do I run into the darkness without a backward glance to avoid the mess I’m drowning in, or do I stay and continue to hate every second of my parents’ toxic behavior?
I know the answer, despite the frustration rattling inside of me.
I wanted to have a good time, see Meadow and my friends, dance and have fun, but it seems that, with no power, none of that is going to happen now anyway.
“It’s now or never, Princess,” he whispers, making my heart ricochet against my ribcage. “Come with me. Don’t say just?—”
Before he can finish his familiar sentence, I move, slamming my mouth against his.
This time, when I run, I’m not alone.