Page 124 of Shattered Stars

“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just surprised.”

“Surprised!” Trent says, overhearing us. “After Tristan Kennedy asked her out, no one would be brave enough.”

“That’s true. Men have fragile egos,” Winnie says, “they don’t do well with rejection.”

Trent laughs. “It’s not that. It’s because most men are pretty fond of their testicles.”

“What?” I say.

“You think Tristan Kennedy wouldn’t remove the balls of any dude who asked you out after you turned him down in front of the entire academy?!”

“Right,” I say, staring out towards the path. Tristan. I am not looking forward to seeing him. In fact, he’s not the only one. The rumors spread by Summer have only gotten more vile in the last few days and I can only pray this ball will be a big enough distraction to keep them both occupied and not interested in me.

I peer back at my friends. Everyone else around me is bubbling with excitement about tonight and yet I can’t shake this feeling that it’s going to end in horror.

44

Azlan

Fate,Rhianna and my own weakness have dragged me back to the academy more times in the last few months than in the more-than-decade since I left, but most of those trips have been perfunctory, secretive or just a chance to catch up with my friend. None have required me to change out of my enforcer cloak and boots and into an actual suit. I don’t like it. The collar is suffocating around my neck and the dress shoes pinch my feet. I’m sure I look like a gorilla in a suit and it reminds me too much of all the functions I was required to attend when I wasn’t estranged from the family.

However, I’ll take an ill-fitting suit and feeling foolish for a chance to be here tonight. I stand at the entrance to the Great Hall observing the people entering. I’m not actually checking tickets. There are some security underlings doing that – but I’m here to ensure everything goes smoothly – to ensure with several outsiders attending tonight – that Rhianna is safe. No Renzo Barone sneaking in with the crowd.

The pathways have been manicured since I last visited, the stones all raked, the bushes pruned, banners with the academy’s and house crests hung at regular intervals and flaming torches lighting the way.

There’s already a line, moving slowly into the hall – a mixture of students and guests. There’s a tightness in my chest and it’s not the suit. It’s my fears for Rhianna. This mysterious girl I picked up from the wastelands with her fierce scowl and deadly smile has caught everyone’s attention.

And she does it again now.

At first I don’t understand, there’s a slight commotion at the end of the line. I stroll that way, the tightness growing, my fingers ready to strike any threat.

The line of people have turned away from the front of the line and are peering behind them, nudging each other and whispering. My eyes scan the line, all the way to the end, to the place they’re all staring at.

I halt. My feet frozen to the spot. That tightness in my chest floats away.

It’s her. Rhianna.

She looks ethereal, otherworldly, so beautiful I can’t breathe.

She senses me, feels that familiar tug of our bonds in the core of her soul, and raises her face, her eyes meeting mine over the distance, and I’m reminded all over again of the clearing, of that first time.

How is it possible? How can someone so beautiful, so precious, so strong and so fragile, belong to me? Why would fate give her to me?

But I know the answer. To protect. I will protect her from all those who would use her, who would harm her, who would threaten her. That mantra beats in my chest as if it’s the rhythm of my heart.

Rhi smiles at me, a little shyly and mouths, “Do you like it?” She takes the skirt of her dress in her hands and shifts to one side and then the other, showing me how the dress falls away and leaves her back bare.

I nod, unable to find the words, hoping she feels my emotion through the bond. Feels how badly I want to whisk her into my arms and carry her into that hall, hold her close and dance with her until the sun rises.

There’s no chance of that though. Too many eyes watching us tonight. All I can do is stare at her with an intensity I hope she feels in her bones, before I turn and return to my station at the entrance to the Great Hall.

“Everything okay, Sir?” one of the underlings asks me.

“Nothing of concern,” I reply, my eyes flicking constantly to her position in the line, watching as she creeps closer and closer towards me. Then she’s by my side, in touching distance.

“Good evening,” I say gruffly to her and her friends.

“Good evening,” she says, she’s shivering in the cool air, her teeth chattering together.