46. Chapter 46
Arwen
Istare at my reflection in the mirror in Cleo and Tabby’s dorm room, trying not to have a breakdown over something as lame as fabric.
“This is a nightmare,” I mutter, yanking at the side of the black dress Holly loaned me. The material strains across my chest while somehow hanging loose everywhere else.
“How does something manage to be both too tight and too big?”
“Is that what you asked when you stayed the night in Maddox’s dorm room last week?” Tabby asks from where she’s curled across Cleo’s bed, painting glitter onto her collarbones.
I pick up a shoe and throw it at her.
Cleo snorts softly as she adjusts an earring in the mirror beside me. She looks stunning in deep sapphire blue; her short dark curls pinned half-up with silver clips that glitter every time she moves.
“It’s bad enough that you all won’t let me wear a power suit. The only thing worse than a dress is a dress that doesn’t fit.” I pout.
“You could still wear it; you can pull off anything,” Cleo says.
I stare at her reflection. “Cleo.”
She winces. “Okay, yes. One aggressive inhale and that zipper becomes a dangerous flying projectile.”
I groan and drop my forehead against the mirror.
“Why are we going again? Why can’t we just stay here in sweatpants?”
“Because Arwen, this is called having fun. It’s about time you try it out.” Tabby replies.
“Sweatpants are fun,” I grumble looking longingly at the roomy pants I showed up in.
“And besides…” Tabby adds. “Cleo needs a boyfriend. This is our perfect chance to match her. She’s tired of being the seventh wheel.”
“Excuse me!” Cleo shrieks. “You bringing a new, random man to every date night does not make you a wheel pair. And what about Brix? He’s single!”
“Brix is hardly ever there,” Tabby responds. “And when he is, he just sulks in the corner silently. The grump.”
Over their arguing, I hear the Sinful Sinfall Ball is already in full swing downstairs.
Music drifts through the academy halls, and distant laughter echoes around the stone corridors.
Outside the windows, hanging lanterns cast a warm amber light across the grounds. It looks fun. Maybe even romantic.
“I’m going back to our room,” I sigh. “Maybe Holly has something else shoved in her closet that won’t cut off circulation to my organs.”
I slip out into the hallway before either of them can torment me further. The academy corridors are empty; most students are already at the party. The soft gold lighting reflects along the stone walls, making everything feel oddly dreamy.
I make it to my dorm room and stop short. There’s a box sitting in the middle of my bed. The wrapping paper is matte black, tied with dark green ribbon. I shut the door behind me, approach the bed and pull the ribbon loose.
Inside the box is the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen.
Moss green silk spills through the tissue paper like light reflected through a forest. The fabric catches the glow from the dorm lamps with a soft shimmer, elegant without being overly delicate. The slit up the leg is just high enough to feel dangerous.
My fingers brush over the material. A folded black card rests on top.
'You wear power beautifully. Everyone should know it.'
Warmth blooms in my chest at the sweet message from Maddox. After multiple training sessions with him to work on controlling my power, I already feel more confident.
My cheeks warm as I glance at the clock. No time to overthink.
I strip out of Holly’s death trap of a dress and carefully pull the gown on. The silk slides over my skin like water. I step over to our floor-length mirror and freeze.
Oh.
Oh, this fits perfectly.
Am I really enjoying a dress right now? Is that what’s happening? Do I need to check my head for injuries?
The bodice hugs my waist just right, the neckline dipping low enough to feel sexy without crossing into uncomfortable, and the fabric skims every curve like the designer studied my body beforehand.
With Cleo helping me curl my hair and Tabby adding a little makeup back at their dorm, the girl staring back barely looks familiar.
Not invisible at all… but powerful. Confident.
A knock sounds at the door.
“Arwen!” Holly calls. “You’re not getting out of this. I will come in there and shove you into a dress myself.”
I laugh and open the door. Every single one of them is standing outside waiting.
“I’m sorry, who is this sexy beast and what have you done with my friend?” Holly asks, arm and arm with Sly. I still don’t know what’s going on between them, but they’ve agreed to go to the ball together.
“You look amazing, Arwen,” says Cleo, elegant as always. Tabby makes an inappropriate comment about my tits.
And Brix—
Brix’s mouth falls open.
I blink at him. “…Hi?”
He closes it. Then it opens again.
“You—”
Nothing comes out.
Tabby cackles. “Oh my universe, you've broken him.”
Brix drags a hand down his face. “I just meant you all look beautiful,” he says softly, smiling. I don’t mention that he looks downright salivating in his tux as well.
The Sinful Sinfall Ball transforms the main floor of academy it barely feels like SinVail anymore.
Massive black and gold banners drape from the vaulted ceilings around the main inner courtyard, which has been transformed into a grand ballroom.
Illusion magic paints the high dome above us with an endless autumn twilight—burnt orange skies streaked with crimson clouds while glowing leaves drift through the air without ever touching the floor.
Music spills through the room. Students fill the ballroom in glittering gowns and tailored tuxes and suits, representing every faction. The second we walk in, heads turn. I spy Professor Gabriel in deep conversation with a female faculty member along the side of the hall.
“I need alcohol immediately,” I mutter.
“You and me both,” Tabby agrees.
Before we can move further into the ballroom, warmth settles at my back and my pulse jumps. I already know it’s him.
I turn around and melt into a puddle on the floor.
Maddox looks devastating in a suit.
His black dress shirt is open at the throat. Silver rings glint against his tattooed hands. His hair is messy, like he ran his fingers through it one too many times, and his eyes drag over me with an intensity that burns straight through my skin.
Every coherent thought leaves my brain.
“Well,” Tabby says beside me, tapping at my open jaw. “You’re required to dance before ravishing each other. But I’m in full support of exhibitionism.”
Maddox barely acknowledges anyone else. His attention stays locked on me as he steps closer.
“You’ve been staring at my chest for a full ten seconds,” he murmurs. “I’m starting to think I spilled something.”
I jerk my gaze upward. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
A slow grin pulls at his mouth as heat floods my face. His eyes soften as they move over me again. Then he leans down near my ear, voice low enough that only I can hear it.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me right now? That dress looks so good, I’m going to have to fight anyone who stares at you too long.”
“There are plenty of pretty dresses here.” I say, looking around and trying to hide how red my face is.
“There isn’t a single person in this room worth looking at over you.”