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He nods, looking relieved.
“Guess all that’s left is to get back to class and kick some academic butt. I fucking need to graduate with top honours. Nothing less is acceptable.”
“Then get to work.” Alistair gives me a gentle shove towards the stairs, making me laugh as I scamper up them, ready for this year to be made my bitch, in more ways than one.
27
EVER
Summer Graduation
The words ‘Summa Cum Laude’ flash across the screen as my name is called out. I shove down the nerves, stand up, and make my way to the stage. My gown swishes around me, a billowing reminder that I’ve done it—I’ve really done it—despite the chaos that’s been my life this past year. I still can’t believe it.
The heat of the summer sun licks at my skin through the windows of the Grand Hall in the old KG building as I accept my diploma, the heavy paper proof of my sleepless nights and relentless drive. I scan the crowd, looking for those familiar faces, the ones who’ve seen me at my worst, made me be at my worst, but stuck around to glue me back together and then some.
Alistair is at the edge of the stage, his eyes like the summer sky outside, piercing and proud, with Ben, Charlie, and Damien flanking him like some kind of elite guard.
Well, I guess they are.
Chancellor Aldritch gives me a big beam and murmurs, “Speech.”
Giving him a fierce glare, with my lips clamped shut, he raises an eyebrow and smiles. “You’ve got this, my queen.”
“Fuck you and the horse you rode in on,” I mutter while he chortles away to himself as if this is all one big joke. Not to me. I may not be the same Ever I was when I first walked these halls, but one thing hasn’t changed.
Stepping up to the podium, my mouth dry, I smile and hold my diploma up. “Here’s to kicking academic ass. Thank you.”
I back away to a massive cheer from the students and hushed murmurs of disapproval from the staff, but who gives a crap.
I did it.
As soon as my feet hit the bottom step of the stage, they’re on me. Alistair’s arms wrap around me first, his hug so tight it borders on crushing.
“You did it, Ever,” he says, his lips pressing against my hair in a possessive kiss that sends shivers down my spine.
“Congratulations, Princess.” Ben’s voice is calm, but there’s an intensity in his emerald eyes that tells me just how much this moment means to him, too. His hands are gentle on my shoulders, grounding me, reminding me I’m not in this alone.
Charlie’s laugh rings out next, bright and carefree. He sweeps me into a spin, lifting my feet off the ground for a moment. “Look at you, top of the class! You hot nerd,” he exclaims, his gaze twinkling with mischief and something darker, something that whispers of late nights and whispered secrets.
Damien stands back a bit, waiting for the others to have their moment. But when he steps forward, there’s a weight to his presence that pulls me in. His slate grey eyes lock onto mine with that intensity that takes my breath away, and his simple nod speaks volumes. “You’re perfect,” he murmurs, his voice like a shadow, wrapping around me with promise and protection.
Alistair’s got this grin on his face as he leans in, his breath tickling my ear. “Couldn’t be prouder of you, Duchess KnightsCastle.”
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. Me, a duchess? It’s legit on paper, but it feels like a borrowed coat, too grand and still stiff in its creases. “Stop it. It still feels weird,” I say, but he just winks and nudges me forward.
“Come on, Ever, they’re waiting for us below.” Ben’s voice is steady, drawing us back to another reason we’re here today. It’s not just about graduation—another ceremony waits in the shadows of KnightsGate Manor.
“Let’s not keep them in suspense then,” Charlie mutters, his arm slung around my shoulder as we move through the crowd of people, each congratulatory word from well-wishers fading behind us.
Damien hangs back, his eyes scanning the crowd, always watching, always ready. Alistair leads us into the library, where we duck into the cooler passageway leading underground.
“Alex and the others are probably getting impatient,” Damien remarks, his voice low. I can feel the weight of his gaze, the unvoiced concern that never quite leaves those stormy grey eyes.
“Alex can wait,” Alistair counters, his hand tightening around mine. “Today is about Ever’s moment. We’ll get there when we get there.”
We descend into the bowels of the earth, the world above fading away, replaced by the hush of sacred secrecy. This is where our true allegiance lies—with the inter-Cardinals, the ancient legacy of KnightsGate, and the twisted paths we’ve chosen to walk together.
The chill of the underground chamber seeps into my bones as we step inside, a stark shift from the summer heat above. This iswhere history lives and breathes, where the whispers of the past echo off the stone.
