32. Ivy
IVY
Apparently, it only takes seven days to prepare for impending doom.
It's not long enough in my opinion, but here I stand in my lemon-yellow ballgown, my hair in loose waves over my shoulder, hidden behind subtle makeup that my mother would be proud of.
My eyes narrow slightly as I gape at myself, inspecting every inch of my orbs, ensuring no orange hue appears after such scrutiny. When all that peers back at me is soft blues, I exhale, thankful that it hasn't returned since the morning after that fateful night.
My new mantra flickers through my mind, and I can't help but smile.
If I keep my magic at bay, the orange stays away.
I roll my eyes at myself before I glance at the time. It's almost time to go.
Pressing my lips together nervously, I grab my purse and tiptoe toward the door.
My grand plan revolves around avoiding Archer and the others, hoping to give them the slip as I make it over to the ball unscathed.
The reality is, I haven't spoken to any of them since that night, and to my surprise, they've given me the space I clearly need.
Would I like a repeat? I would love one, but without my magic consuming me, I'm also able to stand my ground on the answers I want, which means I don't get what I want.
It's probably for the best anyway.
A visit from Archer's father revealed many things, including my vulnerabilities, which heavily fixate on my hated mates.
It doesn't matter anyway.
The grounding did what I needed it to do. My magic is at peace, and I don't need them.
My stomach clenches at the thought and I try to shake it off. Instead, I focus on opening my door without the hinges giving me away, only to find the four of them waiting for me expectantly.
Dammit.
Baron stands to the left, dressed head to toe in black, his hair twisted up in a bun at the crown of his head, while his twin stands beside him, in a fawn-coloured suit, sans tie with the top button undone, and the corner of his mouth tilts up with a grin.
Teddy has opted for navy, a bow tie nestled perfectly at his collar, while his hair remains messy, and I can't deny that it suits him. Finally, my attention is drawn to Archer, his dark hair appearing even richer with the pale gray suit that frames him perfectly.
I hate it.
I hate every part of it.
I hate the way they can soften my defenses so easily.
“You look beautiful, Princess,” Teddy says, and I gulp.
“I’m not attending the ball with you,” I grumble, and Archer dips his head for a beat before looking up through his lashes at me.
“I’m sorry, Ivy. We’ve given you your space, and we’re more than happy to oblige again, just not tonight. This isn’t up for debate,” he declares.
My eyes narrow, assessing each of their eyes, searching out that same orange hue, but it's as if it never existed.
Before I can figure out a response, Baron clears his throat, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he speaks. “The leaders of the kingdoms are going to be here,” he states, and my eyebrows pinch in confusion.
“That's the point, isn't it?” I clarify, and he nods.
“That includes Leonardo.”
I gulp, my heart racing as shame threatens to flood my veins. How embarrassing of me. How had I not seen the bigger picture? I’ve been too caught up in what’s right in front of me to see past that.
“Arriving with the four of you might make the situation worse,” I offer, struggling to keep my head, and Archer grunts.
“I don't give a fuck if it does. He doesn't get anywhere near you,” Sax confirms, and I wave him off.
“Whatever.”
I shut my door behind me, stomping toward the stairs in a flurry, and I’m thankful when nobody stops me. Not that it means they’re letting me go, I can sense them a step behind me.
I can feel their eyes across my skin, heating me from head to toe.
I told Meadow and the others I would meet them at the ball, hoping to keep my hated mates away from guessing I would be leaving now. All I have now is regret since I have to make the walk alone. I should have known they’d figure me out.
As I trudge across campus in my stiletto heels, my phoenix mourns the distance between my mates and me.
It's a familiar state I’ve found myself in repeatedly over the past week, one that takes root, clawing through me, and despite the excitement that bursts from the other students, as I make my way through the crowd, I don't get to enjoy a single glimmer of it.
Nearing the entrance, I falter when I spy Silas off to the side, leaning against the wall as he sucks in a deep breath. His eyes are hooded, his shoulders rounded, and I'm instantly reminded of what was mentioned about his sister last week.
She was Hugo’s mate.
My hand flexes at my side as I consider my options, and despite the promise I made to my mates, I know this isn't flirting, so I approach without caution, even though I can sense them watching.
“Hey, are you doing okay?” I ask, and he looks away, avoiding my stare.
“I’ll be fine,” he grunts dismissively, and I rock back on my heels, clearing my throat.
“Are you sure?” I push, and his eyes narrow.
“I don't need your pity, Ivy,” he snaps, and I muster the best smile I can, despite his brazen attitude.
“It's not pity, it's sympathy,” I murmur, taking a backward step, hellbent on doing whatever is necessary to keep those orange eyes away. “Have you seen my brother?” I ask, and he shakes his head, stomping off in the opposite direction of the entryway.
Spinning on the spot, there’s no surprise when I find my hated mates waiting. I pay them no mind as I head inside and approach the ballroom, stunned by how pretty the setup looks as I draw near.
Candles float in the air, creating the most beautiful ambiance, while roses and crystals lie scattered at the center of each table.
A blacked-out floor filled with sparkly lights waits in the center of the room for everyone to dance, but for now, I head toward the table assigned to the Fire Protectors, which is on my left.
Every step I take feels like it's under scrutiny, but I play it off, already overwhelmed by the amount of people in here. I can smell the liquor in the air, but I know that's not in the cards for me tonight.
Glancing over my shoulder, I try to search out my friends, but all I find is my mates a moment before they all disperse.
Archer strides toward me, and I clear my throat, quickly turning away.
Approaching the table, I’m surprised to find little cards with everybody's names attached.
It takes me a few moments to find mine on the far left, nestled between a girl I'm unfamiliar with and Silas.
I brace myself as I pull out my chair, but I don't take a seat before the card at my side is tossed away, and Archer appears with his instead.
“You can't do that,” I blurt, and he shrugs, taking the spot branded as Silas’s a moment earlier.
“I’d been placed between Francesca and Bonnie. What would you prefer?” he asks, cocking a brow at me, and I gulp, irritated by the frustration it causes inside of me.
Another sneaky glance around the room from my new spot, I notice the four large circular tables, two sitting on either side of the stage.
“Who's who?” I dare to ask, my body instinctively leaning toward Archer, who leans in, wrapping his fingers around the chair beside me.
I suck in a breath at his close proximity, desperate to inch forward slightly so I don't fall under the control of his touch.
“Straight ahead is the First Kingdom, led by Mallen Ferris, who is a strong leader of Fire Protectors. Beside him is Deandra Dormer, the dragon-riding leader of the Third Kingdom. Across the stage is the Fourth Kingdom, with the Land Protector, Polasara Stanford, at the helm. Unfortunately for us, the Second Kingdom is beside them, completely centered around the motherfucker that is Leonardo Corrigan.”
I gulp, my eyes finding the side profile of a man who bleeds an aura that screams sinister. I don’t need to see him head-on to know it’s him.
They’re all here now, making it all real.
I'm just thankful that Leonardo is on the opposite end of the hall. It fills me with a little reassurance, at least. I'm ready to get the night over with, and hopefully, things will settle down among the kingdoms so I can focus all of my attention on actually attending this academy.
As if sensing my thoughts, Professor Viola appears on the stage in a deep-purple dress. Her eyes shimmer as she smiles, clearing her throat, and her voice rises as her magic activates.
“Thank you for gathering today. It brings me great pleasure to unite us all on such a beautiful night.”
I can feel eyes burning into me from across the room, and I know it's not one of my hated mates because it's coming from the top tables. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I’m not surprised when I spy Leonardo smirking in my direction.
My veins feel heavy with fear, consuming my attention, making it impossible for anything Viola says to register in my mind.
I can't help but feel like something isn't right.
A round of applause cuts through the air, dragging me from my thoughts as Archer’s hand goes from the back of my chair to my thigh. I hadn’t even realized he had taken a seat.
“Are you okay?” he breathes, and I nod.
“I’ll be fine.”
“That wasn't a good enough answer when I said it earlier, Fireball,” Silas states from the other side of me, and I grimace.
How had I not noticed his arrival either?
Regardless, I scoff. “You were being an asshole then,” I mutter, earning a laugh from my left, and I startle at the sound coming from Archer.
Seeing him be carefree, even if only for a split second, alleviates something inside me, and I can't hide the grin on my face.
Music plays, and food comes and goes.
It feels just like one of my mother's events, only, when someone clinks their knife on the nearest wine glass, it’s not my father and his close circle that rise and disappear, but the four tables filled with members of the kingdoms, and I can only assume they're ready to discuss things with Viola.
Does that mean I can get the hell out of here now?