And the long dark winter was over.
Rin cocked her head, her softly curled hair falling over her shoulder and spilling down her bare back like white silk.
It had been Auren to pick out the gown for her.
She hadn’t even given thought to what she was going to wear. She always loved clothes and dressing up. It made her feel feminine and confident. Lately, she hadn’t worried about any of it. Too tired, too sad, too everything to care.
A few days before the gala, Auren had portaled into her dorm, alone. He’d quietly shut and locked her door, then held out a garment bag for her, laying it out on the bed and gesturing to it silently. As she’d unzipped it, aware of his blue eyes on her, she had nearly stumbled back at the gorgeous silks and delicate ruffles within.
Something about it, with the freshness of spring settling over the city—though it already felt like summer with the sudden heatwaves—had called to her.
She had tried it on for Auren that night, letting her simple, airy nightgown slip to the floor as he’d averted his gaze. She had to get him to help zip it up, and she still shivered, rememberingthe way his sure, cool fingers had felt against the nape of her neck.
Where did you find this, Auren?Rin had asked him, twirling in her gown.
Auren’s reply had been simple.I saw it in a shop window downtown…
Rin had cast him a sly look to hide her shock.Did you steal it?
Of course, I did not, Hunter. I left money on the counter for them,he’d said it as if it were inconceivable to ever do something as immoral as steal.
Rin replayed his words in her mind as she smoothed her hands down her hips, watching the soft blue fabric ripple like water beneath her palms:
It called to me. I had the strangest sensation as I passed by. As though I had already seen you in it, and only needed to gift it to you to allow it to come to pass. It is strange, I know. I am sure the Celestials have greater plans than guiding you toward a dress.
"You look like a princess," Xara said, perched on the end of Rin’s bed, debating which handbag to bring.
Rin’s eyes drifted from the gown she admired in the mirror to Xara. "I feel like a pauper," said Rin, thinking back to one of the fairy tales she’d read as a little girl, tucked beneath a blanket fort with Kit reading over her shoulder.
Xara just laughed, lifting two small clutches for Rin to see. "Well, take your pick."
Rin swallowed. "The green one. It matches your gown."
Xara smiled triumphantly. She stood, straightening the simple silken skirt of her emerald gown. It clung to her lithe body. Her light brown hair was twisted in a gorgeous updo. "I think so too. Keir’s wearing a green tie. I practically bribed himto—with a blowjob, of course. But what can you expect"—she shrugged—"he’s a man."
Rin laughed, but it felt high and nervous to her own ears. She turned back to the mirror in the corner of her room, staring at how the gown clung to her upper body like it had been made to fit her shape, then gently swept out at the waist, embroidered with delicate, blue butterflies that seemed to lift from the fabric as she moved. It was strapless, and the front cut softly over the swell of her breasts, pronounced by the fit of it. The bodice had smaller butterflies stitched onto it, and as she shifted before the mirror, they seemed to flap their wings. She’d left her hair down, and Xara had helped her curl it.
Unbidden, her eyes trailed to the window. She’d left the curtains open. Rin rarely closed them now—even knowing who was watching. She imagined Rhyden staring at her as she turned before the mirror, admiring her own appearance; though, she knew he wasn’t in his penthouse. According to their plans, he’d be setting up at the Academy. Auren had portaled him to the rooftop of her dorm. It was the perfect place to set up, they’d realize. Her dorm was right across from the main Academy building, where the gala would take place.
Too much was at stake, and here Rin was,preening.
She tucked a curled strand of hair behind her ear, her many silver earrings glittering. She’d swapped out a pair of silver studs for freshwater pearls, matching her dainty pearl necklace. A gift from Kit years ago. She’d taken off his dog tag, and it was the first time. Her neck felt bare without it.
Xara’s heels clicked on the floor as she walked closer. "You do look pretty."
"Thanks. You do, too," Rin replied. And Xara did. She was gorgeous.
"I’ve missed you, you know? I feel like we’ve not been able to hang out for so long. I’m sorry. I know with Keir and everything,then your, um, brother’s death—it was a lot. Then your mission off-planet. But I want you to know I’m here for you." Xara met her eyes in the mirror, standing right behind Rin. "For anything."
Rin wore heels as well, a pretty white shade, but she still had to crane her neck to meet the other girl’s eyes. It wasn’t the first time Xara had apologized for her absence, then tried to weasel information out of her. She guessed the girl was trying to cheer her up, sensing the cloud of sadness that hung heavy around her, but Rin wasn’t buying it. Not this time. She’d come too far to trust again.
Being closed off came naturally to her, after all.
Rin stepped away from both the mirror and Xara, giving her a tight-lipped smile. She felt the red gloss on her lips stick together as she did so. Her eyes were painted with smoky shadow, making her look far more fierce than she felt. "It’s okay. You have your Soulbond, I understand."
"Speaking of… Keir will be here soon to pick me up." Xara checked her watch. "What about you? Who’s your plus one? Is it the man you’re always texting?"
Rin grabbed her clutch from the small dresser, passing her fingers over the forever-blooming forget-me-nots Lucien had gifted her. "He’s meeting me at the gala," Rin said, giving the same answer she always did when Xara prodded who Rin was messaging.
