CHAPTER 26
The day of the Legacy Gala arrived all too soon, bringing with it a plethora of nervous energy that could be felt in every dark corner of the campus.
But that wasn’t the only event today that was heavy on my mind. It was also the second anniversary of Juliana’s death.
For the past few weeks, I’d dreaded this day so deeply that I’d begun to eat and sleep less.
Preparing for my end-of-semester trial had felt easy compared to the mental and emotional strain of this day.
I desperately wanted to see my family again, but not like this.
Not here. Not today of all days. Only adults were allowed to attend, so Wyatt wouldn’t be coming at least. But Gran knew what this day meant to me.
My emotions were already high, and having her here would only sharpen those painful memories more.
On top of that, seeing my grandmother surrounded by hostile faces, by judgmental people she’d once called friends after everything she’d endured this past decade, was going to be hell.
It would be a miracle if tonight ended on a positive note. In my gut, I already knew that it wouldn’t. Old grudges, old hurts were about to be inflamed once more, and I would be smack dab in the middle of it all.
Which was why I’d wisely erected the barrier between me and Thorne again, only interacting with him when absolutely necessary.
He’d helped me prepare for my trial and ate across from me at meals, but that was it.
No more sleepovers. No more touching. As if aware of what I was doing, aware that I needed that boundary, he hadn’t tried to invade my space again.
The looks didn’t stop, though. The glances that whispered of dark nights filled with passionate heat.
He wasn’t done with me yet, not by a long shot. He’d simply chosen to pause his sex revenge so I could stay focused on my upcoming trial. How nice of him, except that his consideration wasn’t truly for me. He just didn’t want me to fail, which in turn would make him fail.
Still, I appreciated the distance, even if I was starting to suspect it only worsened the restless nights and decreased appetite.
He might not be touching me, but my body continued to crave what he could do to it, encouraging my imagination to go places it shouldn’t.
I’d had to pleasure myself nearly every night the past few weeks just so I could get some sleep, but nothing I did compared to what he could do.
Curse him for awakening my libido. I’d been perfectly fine without orgasms in my life, but now, they felt like a necessity. An essential one.
Those heated little glances we’d been sharing couldn’t happen tonight, though.
Not that I thought they would. Not today when feelings would be raw, when hurt and hatred were bound to resurface.
The more we ignored each other, the better off we’d both be.
Gran couldn’t suspect that there was anything between us besides mutual loathing.
One little hint of something more, and she’d unravel me faster than a spool of yarn.
“Two years ago today, I lost my soul sister. Yet I can’t stop thinking about doing naughty things with her brother,” I muttered at my reflection in the floor-length mirror, sweeping one last critical look over my appearance.
Families had been allowed to send the students formal attire for the event, and Gran had surely outdone herself with the dress she’d chosen for me.
The chiffon fabric appeared black at first, but with the addition of light, it transformed into a gorgeous midnight purple.
The neckline plunged nearly to my navel, exposing more cleavage than I ever had before.
A risque choice, but one that clearly sent a message.
I’m all grown up, it said. Ready to be taken seriously and seen as a potential leader.
The sleeves were almost sheer, cinched at the wrists similar to the waistline. The skirt flowed all around me like the robes of a ghostly specter, allowing a scandalous peek of my upper thigh through the high slit. A pair of black heels completed the outfit, giving me a much-needed vertical boost.
As usual, I kept my hair down but had added a little extra curl to the long wavy mass.
It spilled down my back, the color nearly identical to my dress.
My school makeup kit wasn’t nearly as good as the one back home, but tucked into the folds of the dress Gran had sent over was a tube of my favorite lip color.
I wore the dark red shade now, along with heavier eyeliner that made my pale blue eyes pop even more.
The only jewelry I wore was the protective amulet around my neck, still invisible to the naked eye. I couldn’t wait to tell Gran that it had kept me alive more than once this semester—but probably omit the part about getting cursed and almost bleeding to death.
“I wish you were here, Jewel,” I spoke to the mirror, praying that on today of all days, I would get a response. “This gala would be so much more bearable if you were facing it with me.”
I waited. Waited some more. Nothing.
“I’m sorry. This day should be all about you, not me,” I whispered, feeling guilty that I was thinking of other things besides her today.
Last year at this time, I was sitting in the snow-encrusted field where she’d died, my heart so heavy with thoughts of her that I’d stayed there until I was blue with cold.
I’d considered lying down in that snow and dying there, too.
It would have been fitting. Gran had found me and brought me back home before the hypothermia could take hold.
Unable to look at myself in the mirror any longer, I turned away, waiting for the cue to leave my dorm. Our guests would be arriving by portal just outside Heartstone’s main entrance. To avoid any disruptions in the process, the students were to wait in their rooms until the clock struck eight.
Hearing the buzz of a text come in, I moved to my desk to check it.
Can’t wait to see you in something besides your school uniform tonight. I hope there’s lots of skin.
Shaking my head, I quickly replied back to Riku, No ogling or sexual innuendos allowed around my grandmother. I’m Switzerland tonight, remember?
He sent back a sad face, along with, Fine, then at least send me a selfie so I can ogle you in private.
With a sigh, I snapped a quick pic for him, knowing that he wouldn’t behave tonight otherwise. I’d already asked that he, Oz, and Thorne keep their distance from me and Gran during the gala, but the Air Elemental had a tendency to go rogue in public settings. He couldn’t seem to help it.
It was almost a full minute after I sent the selfie that he finally texted back, Wow, Bambi. I get why Thorne is always staring at your chest now. You’ve got a gorgeous rack.
Instantly regretting sending Riku the photo, I hurriedly texted back, He does not.
Does so. He won’t be able to keep his eyes off you tonight.
I heavily doubted that. Not when today was the anniversary of his sister’s death. He probably wouldn’t even be able to look at me.
Yup, it was official. Getting through tonight was going to be so much harder than I thought.
The first bong finally sounded, the cue I’d been waiting for. As the clock tower announced the eight o’clock hour, I set my phone on the desk, unable to take it with me this time. As beautiful as this dress was, it hadn’t come with pockets.
Nervous energy fluttered in my stomach as I left the room, not because of the bonging noise that still reminded me of that godawful curse, but because I was about to be reunited with my grandmother.
She would be happy to see me, of course, but I worried about what she would witness tonight, what she would hear.
Most of the students still openly rejected me by pretending I didn’t exist, but there were a few like Blaze who might try to make a scene tonight.
If he wanted to psych me out for our trial tomorrow, then this gala would be the perfect opportunity to do it.
All he had to do was badmouth me in front of Gran.
She’d expect me to defend myself, of course, to remind him of who he was speaking to.
I didn’t even want to think of what her reaction would be if I failed to do so.
When I reached the bottom of the tower stairwell and opened the door, I prayed that the other first years had already left ahead of me.
No such luck. The hallway was teeming with students, many of them lingering in groups as they admired each other’s formal wear.
As I moved past them, every single one stopped talking to stare.
Fantastic.
Even after my time spent in the Arcane Three’s company, my infamous reputation remained. I received more jealous and covetous looks now than hatred, but none of my fellow first years intended to include me in their alliances any time soon—or ever.
Yet one more reason why I needed to get through tonight in one piece.
Thorne had warned me that one of the main focuses of tomorrow’s trial would be alliances. Those who’d already forged strong relationships with other first years would have a major leg up in this trial, and because I would be all alone, having my wits about me was even more imperative.
Up ahead, Alma emerged from her dorm, followed by Blaze.
The Water Elemental looked stunning in a deep blue mermaid dress that accentuated her shapely figure and made her glowing skin look golden.
Her signature braid was coiled high on her head, giving her a regal appearance.
Spotting me walking toward her, she paused to give my outfit a once over, then arched a brow as though mildly impressed with what she saw.