by LJ Byrne
“So serious,” a voice teases unpleasantly. Cage Bennett stands between the stacks of books. “No big cousin around. Just you and me in the library.”
That’s not true. I could scream and alert the librarian, but something tells me that Cage is the kind of guy that likes girls to be afraid of him. I start backing up slowly. I’m not afraid of him doing anything too terrible, but I don’t want to give him the pleasure of terrifying me either.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”
I can’t tell if I’m in greater trouble now that Xander Morrison has joined us. His hair is gently tousled like he just woke up from a nap, but his blue-green eyes are surprisingly serious. Even though Cage is older than Xander, the two boys are evenly matched, and there’s a set to Xander’s shoulders – he’s not there to help Cage bully me.
“Cage.” There’s a finality to Xander’s tone. “Need to borrow Mira.” He doesn’t wait for Cage to respond, grabbing me by the hand and yanking me out of the library.
The moment we’re outside, he spins me around. “Are you completely stupid or just oblivious?” he demands in a harsh whisper. “After what happened to you at the pool, why in the world would you wander around campus alone?”
I’m stricken mute as I stare at him foolishly. A part of me wants to tell him that I shouldn’t have to worry about walking around the school on my own. Another part just wants to go to my room and cry. Like a baby, I mock myself.
Xander swears under his breath. “Come on. Let me walk you back to your dorm.” He scowls as I follow him meekly.
I’m in my uniform, but this is the East Coast and I’m not used to the chillier nights. I presume winter is going to be a deal-breaker for me. After seeing me shiver – and scowling about it, too – he removes his jacket and drapes it around me.
“Your cousin needs to keep a better eye on you,” he grumbles, sounding less angry. “He should know better.”
“Why does he need to keep an eye on me?” I bristle at his criticism of Ethan.
Xander exhales sharply, his eyes dark as he regards me. “Because the Royal girls don’t like you, that’s why.” He stops at my dorm. “Go inside. And for God’s sake, Mira, don’t wander around on your own at school again.” He removes his jacket from my shoulders. Without saying goodbye, he turns and walks off into the dark, leaving me puzzled.
001000
Despite my intention not to go to the Halloween party, Aunt Erika has other plans. Darcy and Brittany do a terrible job hiding their smiles when I return to the dorm with Celeste and find a dress waiting for me.
The sky-blue ball gown is possibly the fanciest outfit I’ve ever worn. Celeste tells me it’s a fairy gown. The off-the-shoulder dress has a rather low back – I’m shy about how much of my back shows – but Darcy tuts at me when I cringe. I admire the flower appliques on the tulle skirt. Because it is a mask ball, there is a half-mask made of silvery lace. It doesn’t do much to conceal my face, but it frames my eyes and makes them seem exotic.
It doesn’t surprise me that Darcy’s gown is threaded with metallic gold. It’s very regal and her mask is a cross between a circlet and a half-mask. Nope, the symbolism is not subtle. I try not to get teary when Darcy and Brittany help me with my makeup while Celeste pulls my hair back in a half-ponytail.
“Missing Mom?” Celeste whispers empathetically. Mom promised to help me with my makeup one day, but now that day won’t come. When I nod, the girls hug me collectively. “She’s here with you. Always.”
I help the others with their dresses and hair – not with the makeup since I’m hopeless when it comes to that. When we’re done, I look like a fairy, Darcy is a queen, Brittany is a Greek goddess, and Celeste is a princess.
Ethan whistles as he enters our suite, handsome in a black tux. His eyes fill with pride when he beholds Darcy in her queenly attire. Brittany, Celeste, and I giggle on the side while the two share a moment.
We take a bunch of pictures so that Aunt Erika won’t throw a hissy fit about a lack of photos, and then Ethan offers me and Darcy an elbow and escorts us to the ball, Celeste and Brittany flanking us to either side.
The school was once part of an estate, and only the mansion remains. Used only for special occasions, the mansion was built in a southern plantation shape, with brick walls and long columns in the front. Many of the rooms were consolidated during various renovations to provide a large area for dancing. The upper rooms were converted into bathrooms and sitting rooms. During the summer months, the school rents the mansion out for weddings and receptions.
Ethan takes us through the tunnels so that we don’t have to walk through the chilly evening air. Walking into the building, I’m swept away by how surreal everything is. The interior of the mansion practically glows with fancy lighting and students in elegant attire.
“Ethan, you look amazing,” Erin says. She’s in a black evening dress, and her smile falters when she sees Darcy’s outfit. With the memory of Darcy’s words, this time I note the brief flash of fury Erin hides. “You look lovely, Darcy.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
Erin glances at the rest of us, her dark eyes lingering briefly on me. “A sweet fairy,” she comments. “How fitting.”
Nate Jacobs whistles as he joins us. He twirls Brittany around and then spins Celeste in a quick dance. When he approaches me, Ethan scowls. Nate discreetly backs off. “How is it that the most beautiful girls are around you, Ethan?” he complains with a good-natured sigh.
“It’s good to be the king,” Ethan deadpans.
“Excuse me. I need to find Arthur,” Erin says stiffly, moving off into the crowd of students.
I’m not exactly sure if Erin and Arthur are an actual couple, but he’s become her pseudo-escort. I feel bad for her because Arthur gives me the creeps. I’m not sure any girl finds it easy to be around him.
“You showed up,” Ryder breathes into my ear, causing me to jump. There should be a law against that. He smirks when I spin around in alarm.
Ryder, Xander, and Connor greet Ethan with varying degrees of enthusiasm, but the long look Connor sends my way has me fidgeting. I impulsively grab Celeste and say, “I’m really thirsty.”
Ethan pauses mid-conversation with Darcy and Nate to glance towards me. I wave him off. I have Celeste with me, and, as we move, Connor and Ryder follow.
When we get to the drink station, I’m dismayed by the amount of alcohol. Hello? These kids are underage! And I’m further dismayed when Ryder, Connor, and Celeste grab champagne flutes. I reach for a bottle of mineral water. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to touch alcohol. A drunk driver killed Mom.
“Looks like our king is starting the dance,” Ryder tells us with narrowed eyes.
Connor hasn’t taken his eyes off me. Just as he opens his mouth, I suddenly grab Ryder’s arm, nearly causing him to spew his drink. “I think Ethan’s looking for me,” I blurt in a panicked tone. “He wanted me to be one of the people on the floor with him.”
Ryder’s blue eyes meet mine, and something like pleasure rolls off him. “Let’s not disappoint him,” he murmurs. “Dance with me, Mira.”
I remind myself I don’t like Ryder and the only reason why I agree is to push Connor and Celeste together.
Connor’s face falls in disappointment, but he immediately turns to Celeste and escorts her out to the floor. I sigh in relief at her delighted expression. Erin and Arthur move next to Darcy and Ethan. Ryder positions himself to the left of Ethan, making sure my displeased cousin notices us. Brittany and Nate pair up, and down the row, I see Xander with Elaine, while Ingrid is with Cage. Victoria pairs with Daniel Jameson, a Court member who I rarely interact with, and Judy seem to be sitting the dance out.
We move in a coordinated waltz, joining with our partners in the middle as we dance. I match Ryder step for step, his eyes never leaving my face. “Why are you staring at me like that?” I ask him at one point.
“Perhaps I like what I see,” he replies, the hand holdin
g mine moving in a caress.
Startled, I stumble a bit. Ethan catches my eye with a concerned look. He’s not happy that I’m dancing with Ryder. Meanwhile, Connor and Celeste smile and laugh with each other – Celeste is glowing. I flash her a quick smile.
Ryder shifts to hold me closer. “I’m guessing Connor will kill me before the night is over.”
“This is really close,” I say stupidly. I’m practically against his chest.
“So it is,” he says, his eyes lidded.
My heart does a weird, fluttery thing as we dance: it feels natural dancing with him. When his leg brushes mine, I blush.
“Why will Connor kill you?” I finally manage to ask, my color high.
“Because I want to kiss you,” Ryder confesses, bringing his lips close to mine as the song ends.
His lips barely touch mine before he’s pulled away by a furious Connor. Ethan intervenes immediately. “Not here!” he snaps. “And not in front of Mira. You two take it outside!”
The devastation on Celeste’s face cuts me as Ryder and Connor belligerently push each other while they make their way outside. Xander holds Ryder back while Ethan keeps Connor from slamming his fist into his cousin’s face. The other students, hungry for gossip and drama, circle like sharks as Ryder and Connor continue to rage at each other. Ingrid, standing with Cage and Victoria, pushes her way forward, her eyes sharp and bitter.
The two boys face off in the courtyard, their breath frosting as they try to reach each other. Ethan and Xander do their best to calm the cousins down. Erin finally appears, and Cage and Arthur move to flank her as she watches. Celeste takes my hand. I want so badly to turn to her, to apologize, but I don’t know what to say. Instead, I squeeze her hand back.
“I don’t understand,” I say stupidly, glancing at Darcy and Brittany.
“You knew!” Connor bellows at his cousin, Ethan still holding him. “You knew. You got in the way, and now you’re going after her! What the fuck, Ryder?!”
The other boy holds his head arrogantly, shaking Xander’s hold off. “You’re coming to the wrong conclusion, Connor. You’re acting like a fool. She doesn’t belong to you.”
My brain works too slowly. “They can’t be fighting about me. He hates me,” I whisper. “Ryder hates me.”
“Does he?” Celeste wonders aloud.
The fight goes out of Connor suddenly. Ethan staggers a bit, letting Connor go. “That’s enough, both of you,” Ethan orders in a hard voice, gesturing to them. “She didn’t come here with you, Connor. She’s free to do what she wants.”
I cringe. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let Ryder almost kiss me. Now Celeste is hurt, and Connor is angry.
Connor hangs his head, but then his body tenses as he launches at his cousin. The two exchange blows before they’re dragged apart.
“You think you can have any girl you want, don’t you?!” Connor seethes, his blue-gray eyes dark and stormy. “The great Ryder Cabot, Whore of Royal Bridge Academy! It wasn’t enough for you to come between us, was it? You just couldn’t stand the thought that maybe a girl would pick me over you!”
“Is that true, Ryder?” Ingrid asks in a ringing voice. “Are you lusting after our Orphan Annie?”
Ryder sneers at Ingrid, the corner of his mouth bloody. “You only wish I’d lust after you!”
Everyone’s so focused on the confrontation between Ryder and Connor that they don’t notice me release Celeste’s hand. Celeste meets my eyes, and I shake my head. I head back in, pushing past students. Erin stops me inside with a frown. “You should leave, Mira,” she says. “You’ll only get hurt staying here. Boys like Ryder play mean games. You’re not one of us, and you don’t know how to play the games we play. I’d hate for you to get hurt.”
I take two steps back, staring at her in confusion. And then I flee, disappearing into the underground tunnel as fast as I can.
001001
The tension between Ryder and Connor continues into November. Ryder and I ignore each other in class, and I do my best to mend my relationship with Connor. He’s hurt, but he’s not angry with me. I can’t imagine how awkward things are at home.
Slowly, though, I see something close to normalcy between me and Connor. The resentment with Ryder remains. As Connor tells me in a moment of honesty, “I’m upset that he did it so soon after I told him I was interested in you.”
I avoid the parties after the soccer games, watching the first snowfall from my window instead. I don’t want or need a social life. I withdraw from the physical world and spend my weekends doing available bounties. After playing Mission Impossible with RReagan, he says that his division is tracking “activity”. That’s his obtuse way of saying he may need a favor soon.
Right before the Thanksgiving break, Aunt Erika asks if she should invite Ryder and Connor to join us. I’m not sure she realizes that Ethan and Ryder aren’t best friends, but I think about those two spending Thanksgiving alone. I don’t know how to feel about Ryder, but I can’t let that stand in the way of simple kindness.
“God, Mira, you’re too soft,” Ethan groans as I drag him to Connor’s suite that he shares with Nate, Ryder, and Xander during the school week.
“Thanksgiving is about sharing and caring,” I say, my hand around his arm.
“That’s Christmas, Mira. And for crying out loud, Ryder and Connor are not talking. Do we really want them fighting in our home?”
Xander opens the door to their suite in surprise. Like a boss, Ethan sweeps right in as if he’s the one dragging me and not the other way around. Connor glances up from the book he’s reading, getting hastily to his feet. Both Xander and Connor are still in their uniforms.
“Where the hell did you put my shaving cream?” Ryder gripes, coming out of his room in nothing but a towel slung around his waist. Correction, the towel is slung low around his waist.
Ethan covers my eyes and spins me around so that I face the door. “Goddammit! Put some clothes on, Ryder!” Once I’m primly turned, he uses his hands to keep me in place. “Why are you walking around naked?”
“What the fuck are you doing here? And I’m not naked, you ass.”
Since I’m now staring at the door, Connor walks over to me. “Mira?” He’s torn between mirth and puzzlement.
“Hey,” I say. Ugh, I sound all breathy and flustered. I am definitely not going to think about how low that towel was. Definitely not going to think about Ryder’s Orion’s belt. And how the hell do I know what an Orion’s belt is?
“Aunt Erika wants to invite you both,” I use my thumb to point at Ryder over my shoulder, “to Thanksgiving. I know you don’t do Thanksgiving in England, but you made it sound like your uncle isn’t around much. And that seems lonely to me. You should be with family. I mean, we’re not family. But you should at least be with friends. I know we’re not all really friends either but we’re nice. Or usually nice.” Now I’m babbling.
“You came to invite us to Thanksgiving?” Ryder asks slowly behind me.
“I didn’t,” Ethan grumbles under his breath.
I’m about to turn but Ethan prevents me from doing so. “Ethan, I’ve seen boys’ chests before,” I protest, ignoring Xander’s huff of laughter, the low chuckle from Ryder, and Connor pressing his lips together.
“Answer her, Cabot, so I can get her out of here,” Ethan snarls, not letting up on his grip. “I don’t want my cousin seeing you like that.”
“If you are spending Thanksgiving alone, you should both come,” I pipe up.
Connor glances over my shoulder at Ryder with a strange look on his face. “We’d love to.”
I ignore Ethan’s groan, but that doesn’t stop him from dragging me out, ensuring I’m not exposed to anything improper by covering my eyes.
Thanksgiving was just me and Mom. Sometimes we cooked. Sometimes we went out. With Aunt Erika, I think she’s excited to have a full house. Her chef prepped everything for us beforehand with detailed instructions. After seeing Aunt Erika in the kit
chen, I take over the timing of the dishes.
Since Darcy is with her family, Ethan does a video chat while I put the pie in the oven. “Look at her, babe. She’s a pro in the kitchen at sixteen,” he says proudly. “There isn’t anything Mira can’t do.”
“Aww, she looks cute in an apron,” Darcy says, leaning towards the camera. In the background, I hear a cacophony of voices. “Ma, I’m coming!” She blows us a kiss. “Babe, got to go. The annual volleyball competition is about to begin.” She rolls her eyes. “Call me later and tell me what Thanksgiving is like with those two.” She gives me a funny wink.
We say our goodbyes as Aunt Erika escorts Ryder and Connor in. “I can have Martha keep an eye on the food if you want to be with your friends.”
Ethan snorts derisively, but I take my apron off and nod.
“You’re cooking?” Ryder asks with a surprised look while I wash my hands.
I shrug. “Sort of. Just putting things in the oven. But I have made dinner before.”
“You’re not even flustered. I thought cooking Thanksgiving dinner is supposed to be stressful,” Connor comments as we follow Ethan out of the kitchen.
“I know how to follow a recipe, Connor. It’s not neurosurgery,” I say drily. Why make a fuss over a simple thing?
Connor raises his hands defensively. “Alright, don’t bite my head off.”
Ethan takes us to the amusement room, tossing a cue stick to Ryder with a challenge shining in his eyes. “Come on, Cabot. A game. And a wager.”
Ryder spins the stick smoothly, tilting his chin up as he answers. “Fine.” His deep blue eyes glance my way. “I win and I ask Mira to the Winter Ball.”
My jaw drops. I glance at Connor surreptitiously, but Connor only narrows his eyes. They don’t seem to be fighting anymore. Ethan, however, tenses. Scowling, Ethan steps closer to Ryder in challenge. “Fine. You lose and you stay away from my cousin. Permanently.”
