Page 69 of The Scars Within (Twisted Thorn #1)

The rest of the evening unfolded smoothly.

A few more guys asked me to dance, and I obliged, finding the attention less unsettling than before.

Any lingering stares from the crowd quickly retreated when I met their gaze, and Pehper kept her distance.

I spotted her dancing with Shayde once, but he quickly passed her off to another partner.

When it was her turn to twirl into Rhodes’s arms, he immediately twirled her past him into someone else’s.

I noticed Captain Thorne was nowhere to be seen, and most of the first-year professors hadn’t made an appearance either. Even the War Chief was notably absent.

I stood on my toes, scanning above the crowd, determined to find Rhodes before the musicians played their final note. Weaving through the throng of people, I received a playful bump on the ass from Tatum as she danced with Davis, her mischievous grin making me chuckle.

Then I saw him.

Rhodes stood in the shadows of a secluded alcove, his tall frame outlined by the soft glow of the ballroom lights.

He is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

His all-black suit allowed him to blend perfectly into the shadows.

His posture was relaxed, but I could tell his focus was elsewhere—likely communicating with Noemi.

For a moment, I hesitated, watching him from a distance .

Like a weirdo.

Before I could turn away, Rhodes’s attention shifted to me. His eyes lit up the shadows around him as he closed the distance between us, his gaze roaming over me, lingering. I didn’t stop him.

“I don’t think I’ve told you yet how stunningly beautiful you look in that dress,” he said, catching me off guard.

Gently, he tucked his fingers under my wavy hair, sliding it over my shoulder.

“You are mesmerizing, Scarlet. And not just tonight, but in every way possible.” His voice was soft but deliberate, his eyes darkening as he spoke.

There was something he was holding back, a storm in his gaze that hadn’t fully broken.

I found myself lost in his stormy eyes, and before I could stop myself, I perched on my tiptoes, perching my hands on his chest and leaning in to whisper something in his ear.

The scent of cashmere sandalwood and vanilla wrapped around me, stirring something deep in my core.

An intangible shift had formed between us these past few weeks, an undeniable connection.

I was letting my guard down with him—little by little—but my heart? That is beyond my control.

He chuckled as I whispered my idea in his ear. His laughter was genuine, filling the air as he ran a hand through his dark hair. I lowered myself back onto my feet, watching as he tilted his head at me.

“Always such a thorn in my side,” he teased with a wink. “I’ll meet you there.”

Grinning, I scurried back across the dance floor, weaving through the crowd toward the dais where the musicians were playing.

I waved one of the musicians over, whispering my request. With a nod, they began to adjust their instruments, preparing for what was coming next.

My heart raced as I made my way to the center of the dance floor, where Rhodes was already waiting, hands in his pockets, watching me with a playful smirk.

The formal waltz came to an abrupt end, and the cadets paused, waiting for the next song.

But instead of the expected, elegant melody, a lively tune broke out—the same line dance from the tavern.

A hum of excitement rippled through the ballroom as Rhodes and I didn’t hesitate for a second, immediately falling into step with the familiar rhythm.

The dance was effortless; our movements synchronized as we stepped side-by-side until the rotation spun me in front of him.

The crowd parted, creating a circle around us, and I could feel their attention shift entirely onto us.

My friends made their way to the front of the crowd, curious smiles on their faces as they realized what was happening.

I waved them over, giving Laney quick instructions while Rhodes guided Cleo and Tatum.

Within moments, we were all moving together.

Cheers and whistles erupted from the surrounding cadets, clapping in rhythm as they joined in.

The energy of the ballroom shifted, turning vibrant and electric as nearly everyone on the floor participated.

It was contagious—the music, the laughter, the carefree spirit of the night.

As we danced, I glanced around and noticed Pehper standing on the sidelines, arms crossed, her face twisted in displeasure.

A quick scan of the dance floor revealed her usual group—her “spices,” as I called them—abandoning her to join in the fun.

They were laughing and cheering, completely caught up in the energy, while she fumed alone.

I couldn’t help but smirk. I caught Rhodes’s eye, and he gave me a knowing look. This wasn’t just a dance—it was a declaration of sorts, a way of showing Pehper and everyone else that I would not be sidelined anymore. Not tonight. Not ever.

As the final note of the song echoed through the ballroom, Rhodes swooped me into his arms, lifting me high above the crowd with ease.

We spun together, the world blurring around us, and for a moment, it was as if the rest of the room had disappeared.

When he brought me back down, our chests collided with every breath we took, his heartbeat thrumming in sync with mine.

Despite the noise of the cheering crowd and the vibrant energy around us, all I could see was him. His stormy eyes met mine, and everything else faded into the background .

“Meet me on the rooftop in twenty?” he asked, his voice low but clear against the noise.

My lips parted, the adrenaline still rushing through me, and I couldn’t help but grin. I nodded, unable to speak, the excitement thrumming through my veins. Rhodes lingered for a moment longer, his hands still wrapped around mine as if he were reluctant to let go.

But slowly, he stepped back, his fingers sliding away from mine, and I watched as he disappeared into the crowd.

Being a responsible friend, I let my roommates know where I was headed so they wouldn’t worry.

The cool air in the hallways felt refreshing against my flushed skin, a welcome contrast after the heat of the ballroom.

I didn’t make any detours, except for one—to kick off my heels.

I carried them in my hands as I hurried up the stairs, excitement building with every step.

When I reached the rooftop, I carefully pushed open the door, hoping I hadn’t miscalculated my timing with Rhodes. The space was quiet, and he wasn’t perched on the parapet like I half-expected. I stepped forward, my bare feet silent on the cool stone, and took in the surroundings.

That was when my heart skipped an actual beat.

Dozens of tiny flames floated in the air, suspended as if they had been plucked from candles and scattered around the rooftop.

Warm, golden light flickered gently in the breeze and cast a soft glow on everything, including Rhodes.

He stood before me with his hands clasped behind his back.

The flickering light contrasted against his eyes, making them glow brighter than ever.

I gathered the hem of my gown in my hands, lifting it slightly as I made my way to him, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me. My heart was racing from the sight of him standing there in his suit, the beauty of the scene he created, and the power of the moment.

“What is this?” I whispered, letting Rhodes tower over me.

“This is me fighting for the girl.”

My lips parted. I forgot how to think, how to breathe .

“There’s a natural phenomenon happening tonight,” he said, his voice soft yet deep. “The stars will be dancing soon, with a beautiful display of colored lights. I found us a front-row seat.”

I looked around at the floating flames, mesmerized by how they flickered in the air. I reached up, fingers hovering close to one. Even if I wasn’t a fire elemental, I knew Rhodes wouldn’t let his flames harm me.

“Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before,” I admitted, keeping my eyes on the glowing flames.

“It’s about time that changed.”

Rhodes stepped closer, bringing his hands in front of him. My breath hitched as I saw what he was holding.

It was my favorite mug—the one his brother had shattered into tiny pieces. I reached out, carefully taking it from him. My fingers grazed its uneven surface. The cracks were visible, winding through the ceramic like scars.

“You glued it back together?” I drew back to meet his stare.

“I did.”

“But why?”

His eyes softened. “Not everything that shatters has to stay broken, Scarlet.”

I sucked in a sharp breath.

And in that moment, I knew that even though I have been letting my guard down brick-by-brick with him, that my heart is already his.

The cracks in the mug mirrored the cracks in my own defenses, but instead of fear, I felt a sense of peace.

I slowly shook my head, not in disbelief but in quiet acceptance .

“You have no idea,” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I held the mug close, “how much this means to me.”

“I know that you live in a constant feeling of pain,” Rhodes said gently, his voice soft but unwavering. “Even when your smile lights up a room, there’s still that ounce of heartache deep within.”

He raised a hand to my jaw, his thumb lightly brushing my cheek. “I know that you doubt every little good thing you have. When life feels like it’s going overboard, I want you to know that you can always take it out on me. No matter what it is, I’ll take all you’ve got.”

A flame sparked through my veins, the surge of emotion almost overwhelming, yet I felt no fear. I stepped to the side and carefully placed my mug and heels on the ground.

Then, I stepped out into the rain, rushing into the heart of the storm.

I pulled his face to mine, pressing my lips urgently against his.

He responded instantly, cupping my nape and pulling me closer.

My lips parted for him, and the low, rumbling moan that escaped him made me tremble.

Our hearts beat in perfect synchrony, the intensity of the moment only amplified by the crackling flames dancing around us.

This feels like chaos.

This feels like utter destruction.

This feels right .

And if this is what it’s like to be lost, I’m not sure I’ll ever want to be found. I don’t need words to understand how he feels—his actions speak louder than any declaration.

He showed up.

And he stayed.

Taking the lead, I began to explore his body, signaling him to do the same. My fingers slid beneath his suit coat, helping him shrug it off.

“Scarlet,” he moaned, his voice full of desire.

I melted into his touch, allowing myself to fully breathe and embrace this moment, living my life on my own terms. I reached behind my back, unfastening the clasps of my dress. As the gown fell limply over my shoulders, it didn’t completely slip off.

Rhodes lifted me into his arms, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around him. His hands tightened around my thighs, holding me securely. From this angle, he looked up at me, his eyes filled with admiration.

“Absolutely beautiful,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin before his lips met mine again.

He walked us a few steps, the kiss never breaking, until he slowly lowered us to the ground.

I hadn’t noticed before, but there was a soft blanket spread out on the hard floor beneath us.

As we settled, he cupped the back of my head, ensuring my comfort as we lay down.

Positioned on his hands and knees between my legs, he supported himself without pressing his weight on me.

I tried tugging on the hem of his dress shirt, but it wouldn’t budge.

Rhodes raised up on his knees, reaching behind his head and sweeping the shirt off in one smooth motion.

He paused for a moment, letting me take in the beauty of his tan, chiseled skin.

I traced my fingers down the V indentation leading to his trousers.

He leaned back down, his body pressing more firmly between my legs, the feeling of his arousal sending a shiver down my spine. I began to kiss along his neck and collarbone, eliciting a guttural moan from him.

Tonight, I am ready to be swept up in his storm. I looked up at him, my voice barely more than a whisper.

“Rhodes.”

The unspoken invitation hung heavily in the air. He pressed his forehead to mine, his eyes closing as he struggled with his restraint.

“I don’t want you to think that this is what I was expecting of tonight,” he said, his voice a mix of longing and concern.

I placed my hands on the sides of his face, gently guiding him to meet my gaze. “You said you’d take all I’ve got,” I murmured, brushing my lips against his. “Take me.”