Page 68 of The Scars Within (Twisted Thorn #1)

The soft click of my heels echoed through the dimly lit hallway as I made my way to the ballroom, a slight shiver of anticipation running through me. Despite my hesitation, the heels really were a must. Laney is much taller than me, and without them, this gown was dragging on the floor.

Laney had insisted on lending me the dress, one she had brought back from her family home during our last visitation weekend.

Ever the planner, she had packed an extra just in case.

Cleo worked her magic with makeup. My lips were stained crimson red to match my freshly painted nails.

Tatum and Laney took turns arranging my hair.

Though they suggested different styles, I requested that it be left down, the soft waves cascading over my shoulders giving me the confidence I needed tonight.

The topic of gossip while we were getting ready for the ball was centered around the Grim.

From what Tatum was able to gather from Echo, apparently, her dragon likes to gossip as well; nobody has heard of anyone ever being referred to as the Grim.

Our minds and mouths were whirling around when Cleo announced that she didn’t want to talk about the Grim anymore.

Other than the soft flicker of jack-o-lanterns glowing along the walls, the corridor was eerily quiet.

It is Mageia’s one grand ball of the year for cadets, and it seemed the entire college was enchanted by the autumnal air, with each pumpkin and wreath heralding the arrival of fall.

My friends had gone ahead to the ballroom, leaving me behind to make a more grand entrance.

Yesterday was the last day of my life that I would spend being ashamed of my past and being afraid to embrace who I am. I am done with the whispers that I have always pretended not to hear. If everybody wanted to stare…

I’ll give them something worthwhile to stare at.

When the coast was clear, I stepped through the open archway into the ballroom with my head held high.

A broad set of royal stairs stretched before me, descending toward the room where soft, seasonal music drifted through the air.

Below me, clusters of guests chatted amongst themselves, the evening still in its early, buzzing moments.

With every deliberate step down the stairs, my heels clicked against the polished marble, drawing subtle attention to my entrance. I am not hiding tonight—not anymore. My dragon mark is proudly on display.

Laney had outdone herself with this gown. It is off-the-shoulder, its romantic silhouette framing my figure perfectly. The plunging neckline had made Laney squeal with excitement when I tried it on earlier, her words still echoing in my mind: “The plunging neckline is sexy as fuck!”

The bodice hugs me snugly, accentuating every curve, while the back is completely open, leaving the expanse of my skin bare to the cool evening air.

The voluminous skirt flows out in sweeping folds that swish with every step.

The entire gown is a masterful blend of reds.

It was as if Laney had picked it just for me, the clever little thing she is.

While the bottom layer of the gown is a smooth material in a slightly lighter shade of red, the top layer is a deep crimson hue that swirls over the silk beneath. Each step down the stairs reveals the high slits on both sides.

I had almost reached the bottom of the stairs, and for a moment, the room seemed to slow. The guests began to turn their attention. All eyes were on me, just as I had anticipated. But tonight, instead of shrinking from the attention, I welcomed it.

“ Knock ‘em dead, ” Lakota rang. Then he amended, “ Not literally. ”

I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with anyone. When I was on the next to last step, a black suit swept before me, catching my attention.

Rhodes stood before me, his hand extended, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. He looked at me as if I were the most magnificent being he’d ever laid eyes on—like I was his entire world.

The ballroom fell into a hushed silence, the murmurs and whispers fading away. I placed my hand in his, feeling the warmth of his touch.

His eyes were full of warmth, “Always my favorite shades of red.”

My cheeks heated as he gently tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow, and with a confident smile, he guided me into the crowd. When I walked beside Shayde in the halls, passing cadets grinned at me. But as I walk through the ballroom with Rhodes, everybody glares.

And I’m reveling in it.

Rhodes tugged me closer as he leaned into my ear, “Where are your daggers?”

I whispered back in his ear, “The slits would have given them away. And I didn’t think you wanted me to show them off within Mageia.”

We made our way to the back corner where my friends were gathered, walking deliberately through the center of the dance floor. As we moved, the music picked up its pace, and the crowd behind us began to chatter once again.

“Nice of you to finally join us,” Laney said with a playful wink.

Rhodes excused himself, stepping away as I approached Laney. I took her hands in mine, admiring her stunning turquoise gown that made her look like a mermaid from some enchanted tale.

“Thank you for accepting all of my darkness,” I said over the lively music .

“Thank you for seeing all of my light,” she replied with a bright grin, then nodded her head behind me. Rhodes had swiftly returned with two flutes of champagne, offering one to me with a warm smile.

We raised our glasses in a toast, and I turned to mirror the gesture with my friends.

Cleo was in her element tonight. She wore her dark hair in a tight ponytail and smoothed the ends to create a sophisticated look.

She wore a taupe gown adorned with sequins that hugged her slim frame.

Tatum opted for a classy look in a satin little black dress with two high slits that revealed her toned legs.

Her dress was strapless and showed off her dragon mark with grace.

She styled her braids into an elegant bun, leaving a few loose strands to fall softly around her face.

After the first few dances unfolded on the floor, Rhodes turned to us with a mischievous grin, “You ladies look way too nice to be sitting on the sidelines. Let’s go.” He extended his arm to me, and I took it with a smile. Cleo, Laney, and Tatum followed suit, joining us on the dance floor.

We soon found ourselves caught up in a waltz, a dance Cleo had helped me master earlier in the evening.

Rhodes placed one hand on my waist and the other in my grasp while I rested my free hand on his shoulder.

We swayed to the music, laughing and joking as we moved.

My chest pressed against his with each rotation, and though he might not have been the best at line dancing, he is exceptional at the waltz.

He led confidently, teasing me good-naturedly when I stumbled on a few steps.

“Hey now, don’t be a thorn in my side tonight. Stay off my feet,” he boasted with a grin.

I responded by sticking my tongue out at him playfully.

As the dance came to a close, it was time to switch partners. I watched as Laney twirled into Rhodes’s arms, and I turned to face my new partner.

Shayde.

He stood before me, a look of earnest regret in his eyes. Before I could pull away, he said, “Please, Scar. Please hear me out. I’m sorry. ”

I let Shayde lead me around the ballroom, avoiding the pointed glances Laney kept sending my way as she danced with Rhodes.

Unlike with Rhodes, I kept a noticeable distance between Shayde and myself, our bodies far enough apart to make the dance awkward.

But Shayde wasn’t deterred. He leaned in closer, closing the gap just enough to whisper in my ear.

“I was out of line yesterday, and I take full responsibility for my actions. I’ll bring you a new mug—”

I snapped my gaze toward him, our faces so close that our lips almost brushed. “I don’t want a new mug, and it’s not about that, Shayde.”

His eyes softened, and he twirled me effortlessly before pulling me back to his chest. “I know. I’m an ass. I just... I just wanted to ask if we could still be friends. You’ve become incredibly important to me, Scar, and I don’t want to lose you. I’m here if you need anyone to talk to.”

Shayde spun me effortlessly, the fabric of my dress fanning out like a rippling wave in the air.

“Or if you ever need saving,” he said as he pulled me closer again.

We continued to glide across the dancefloor.

Apprehension filled my chest, but I decided that I didn’t want to make another enemy if I didn’t have to.

Shayde was wrong about a lot of things, but I know I wasn’t an open book with him.

I didn’t leave all my cards face up on the table.

Swallowing my pride, I looked into his warm brown eyes.

“I accept your apology. But I need space right now, Shayde,” I said firmly, holding my chin high.

“Pinky promise?”

I fought back my grin at his silly gesture, and relief washed over me. I held my pointer finger between us, and he wrapped his pinky around it.

We shook on it.

“Thank you. I wish I would have danced with you that day,” he replied solemnly, and with one final spin, he handed me off to my next partner .

I couldn’t help but grin. “Hi, Davis.”

“Hello, Miss Thorne,” he said, puffing out his chest with exaggerated confidence. “You are looking absolutely breathtaking this fine evening.”

We spent the rest of the song twirling across the dance floor, Davis cracking joke after joke until tears of laughter welled up in my eyes. I was breathless by the time the music slowed, and I excused myself to make my way toward the drinking fountain.

“ You need to get into shape, ” Lakota teased in the back of my mind.

“ Shut up, ” I muttered with a playful snap, though I couldn’t help but smile.