“I don’t deserve you,” he says.
“Probably not,” I agree. “But you’ve got me anyway. And I’m not going anywhere. To be fair, I probably don’t deserve you either.” I give a little laugh.
In one fast movement, Drake pulls me against him, his arms wrapping around me so tightly I can barely breathe, his face buried in my hair.
“I’m so sorry, Rose,” he murmurs, over and over. “I’m so sorry.”
I let myself melt into him, my own arms circling his waist. “I’m still pissed at you,” I mumble into his chest. “Really, really pissed.”
“I know.”
“And you’re going to make it up to me.”
“I have a few ideas.”
“And you’re never going to lie to me again.”
“Never.”
I pull back enough to look up at his face. “And you’re never, ever going to suggest that I would let you fade away. Off the table. Forever.”
Drake takes my face in his hands, his blue eyes staring into mine. “I was an idiot.”
“The biggest.”
“A complete fool.”
“A total moron.”
He smiles. “I love you, Rose Smith. More than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything in a hundred years of existence.”
“I love you too.” I reach up to touch his face. I’ll never get tired of that face.
Drake leans down, his forehead resting against mine, and I rise up on my toes and press my lips to his. I open my mouth to him, and he kisses me slow and deep.
Then the moment is shattered by the sound of Jasmine’s voice, broadcasting to the entire academy that the trials will be resuming.
Right now.
Thirty-Eight
Rose
The announcement booms through the entire academy, Jasmine’s off-kilter voice reverberating through every hallway, every room. “All students and faculty to the Great Hall immediately for resumption of the trials!”
I shrug on my jacket and say goodbye to Hank. “See you soon. Stay safe,” I whisper, hoping he can somehow understand the gravity of the situation. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
When we step into the hallway, it’s havoc. Students pour from their rooms in various states of panic, and I grab Drake’s hand, afraid we’ll get separated in the crush.
“What do you think she’s planning?” He keeps close as we’re pushed along by the current of bodies to the Great Hall.
“Nothing good.” My mind flashes to her ghoulish stash in the secret compartment. “After what I saw in her office.”
Drake’s face darkens, and his grip on my hand tightens.
“Rose!”
I turn to see Soren pushing his way through the crowd toward us. Lucien is just behind him, somehow managing to navigate the packed hallway without touching anyone.
