Page 44 of Wicked Dove

There’s not a single thing different about my features. I didn’t get to witness the mess that Willow caused, but I know it stung like a bitch. The blood staining my shirt and blazer are the only remaining remnants.

“I don’t think you understand,” Ocean says from beside me, her gaze flicking between the mirror and me, as if she’s checking me from all angles.

“I don’t think I do either,” I admit, and she offers me a tight smile.

“Your face was a mess, Elodie.”

“It didn’t feel that bad,” I reply softly, my eyebrows furrowing slightly as she shakes her head again.

“It was horrific.”

I cringe at how insistent she sounds. “Thanks.”

“Well, it was, but whatever Thorne did has made it look like it never happened.”

I tilt my face, despite the fact that I don’t truly know how bad it was, I know she’s right about that.

“Maybe I should have said thank you,” I mutter, and her eyes widen in surprise.

“You didn’t?”

“He was an ass,” I grumble with a shrug, and she snickers in amusement.

“I told you.”

Rolling my eyes at her, the tension in my shoulders relaxes a little. “Still, I probably should have.”

Ocean waves me off. “No, then he would probably find a way to put you in his debt, and that’s the last thing you want.”

I shudder. The thought of being in anyone’s debt makes me cringe. That’s a no from me. I’ve seen what that looks like for others. I’ve watched the men show up at our trailer, seen the beatings my father took for the drug money he owed. Damn, I’ve paid the price for his stupidity too, but I have never and will never be in debt to someone.

Yet, despite the circumstances, there’s something mystical about Thorne that I can’t seem to shake, even if he is crazy as hell.

“What’s his deal anyway?”

“Do you really want to know?” she asks with her eyebrow raised, and I shrug, failing to downplay how intrigued I am.

“I get the feeling I don’t have a choice,” I murmur, recalling his lips on my cheek. It takes everything in me not to lift my fingers to trace the exact spot.

“Wait, you didn’t fuck him too, did you?” Ocean blurts, and I gape at her in surprise.

“If I did?” My shoulders sharpen, but I force myself to shake it off. Getting defensive over something I didn’t actually do is insane. But why does it matter?

“Then I would high-five you, but you would also get a stern talking to because you’re already in a messy situation with Kael,” she splutters, and the tinge of tension that remained melts away.

“Well, you’re safe, I didn’t fuck him.”

“I almost feel sad for you,” she says with a grin as she waves her hand in front of me.

I watch in the mirror as the crimson stains on my clothes disappear, stealing my breath as I witness her magic again. It’s impossible to comprehend, but even more undeniable.

“What should I know about him?” I murmur, running my fingers over the fresh silk. “Thank you,” I add, and she winks in acknowledgment.

“Honestly, I don’t know. No one really does. Maybe Kael and Rion, but he’s elusive and arrogant; nobody has ever gotten close. It’s probably going to be the talk of the entire Vale now that he’s made a scene by dragging you from the dining hall. Especially when it was in response to something Willow did.”

“Uh, I’m going to want her deal too, aren’t I?” I grimace, my hatred for the girl warranted, but the drama I know it’s going to come with is the last thing I want.

“That red hair… she gets it from her mother,” she states slowly, and my stomach clenches.