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“He spent a long time picking that out for you.”
I nodded. “And I appreciate it.” I honestly did. “But that doesn’t mean I have to want something similar for my engagement ring.”
“You think you’ll have a choice?” he sneered, a vicious glee in the depths of his grey eyes.
“If Apollo cares for me at all, then he’ll consider my wishes.”
Valen huffed a humourless laugh. “You thinkhehas a choice?”
At least Valen didn’t tell me Apollo didn’t care. At least there wasn’t a question about it. For all that my relationship with Apollo was currently just for show, he was the only one who got to benefit from it. I shouldered the weight of our parents’ expectations. I felt like I bore the responsibility of maintaining the facade. I was the one who had to think about the future – what we’d be, what we’d do – and hope that none of my sacrifices had been in vain. As a part of me would always love Apollo, I had to hope that a part of him still loved me, too.
Valen picked up my right hand and inspected the ring. I couldn’t tell if it was the first time he’d really seen it or if there was something about it on my finger that was confusing him.
I told myself my skin didn’t tingle at his touch. I refused to acknowledge that my heart beat faster in my chest. I ignored the way my stomach flipped and warmth pooled between my legs. I just watched his beautiful face, holding my own for when he looked at me again.
“It looks better on you,” he said finally.
His eyes flew up to check my response. There was that cheeky, mischievous glint in them.
“Than who?” I asked.
The corner of his lips tipped up in victory. “Have fun tonight,” he said, like it was a threat.
He dropped my hand, but gently. The wanton thirst in me said his touch lingered, like he didn’t want to let me go.
“Than who, Valk?” I asked him.
His grin deepened and he started walking away.
I turned to watch him go. “Than who?” I asked again. “Than what?”
“Ignore him,” Florence said. “He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.”
I shifted uncomfortably, fingering the ring. “Well, it’s working.”
Florence grinned. “Down, girl,” she teased. “Now, let me see this ring again.”
She wasn’t the last person to ask me that day, and it wasn’t all students – read, Magdalens. The entirety of my birthday paled into insignificance under the shining beacon of Apollo’s love for me dazzling on my finger. The ring was all anyone talked about.
In class.
In the corridor.
At lunch, where Apollo kept me firmly tucked under his arm and reminded me about the big birthday surprise he had planned for that night.
By the time Florence and I were back in our room to get me ready for the birthday surprise, I felt like just putting the damn thing back in its box and burying it with the rest of the trinkets Apollo had given me over the years.
“Holy fucking hells,” I heard Florence splutter from my bed. “Have you seen the appraisal and insurance information?”
I shrugged as I wound my hair around the curling iron. “No. I don’t bother. Why?” I chuckled. “Is it half decent?”
“That little crown your royal highness is so cavalierly carrying upon your dainty little finger?”
“Mmm?” I answered with a wry smile at her hyperbolic teasing.
“Twenty-five... Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Just tell me already.”
