Chapter 87
I grab my tray. “If either of you pulls something-”
Jake salutes. “Harmless. Scout’s honor.”
I walk away.
Outside, I spot Ellie across the courtyard, laughing—soft, surprised, like she didn’t expect it.
My chest tightens.
I keep walking.
Those idiots are going to make my life hell.
And somehow… I don’t stop them.
+25 Bonus
Ellie POV
During healer rotations, I’d been assigned to inventory duty-cataloging salves, checking runes, stabilizing reagents. It was grounding work.
And that’s where I see Abigail. Been a minute.
She’s leaning against the worktable, sleeves rolled, expression calm but alert.
“Abigail,” I start, considering we hadn’t had much time to talk about-
“Timeline’s delicate,” she warns carefully, not looking in my eye. “Probably best if we don’t… mess with it. ‘Meet’ when were
supposed to.”
I stop mid step. The slowly nod, understanding what she is saying but feeling a pinch.
“Alrigh,” I say. “Sudden, but agreed.’
Still.
“It’s just nice,” I admit, “to know I’m not alone.”
Her smile is gentle. “Eyes open,” she says. “You’re on a new path.”
When I leave the infirmary, the sun is low, shadows stretching long across the courtyard. That’s when I hear
“Ellie,” a girl from my herbal theory class says, skidding to a stop beside me in the hall “Uh-Dominus walks you in Bar gardens.”
I stop walking, suddenly very aware of my own heartbeat. Steady, but annoying quickened,
“Dominic,” I repeat flatly.
She nods, wide-eyed, like she’s afraid I’ll bite. “Yeah He said it was important ̈*
I stare at her for a beat too long “Did he say why?”
She shakes her head and practically bolts
Right
Lexhale through my nose aut adjust the attivi at sy hip fees
Chopt
+25 Bonus
I don’t have to go. I’ve been enjoying the distance, a week of not having a charged argument.
But if this is another power move-
Fine.
The gardens are quiet in that way that feels intentional, hedges trimmed into obedience, paths curving just enough to suggest serenity without ever allowing chaos. I step through the archway and immediately spot him.
Dominic is sitting on the low stone wall near the east fountain, lunch tray at his side.
Reading.
That alone almost makes me laugh.
He’s relaxed in a way I don’t usually see, long legs stretched out, one ankle crossed over the other, and a book open in his hands. Dark hair falling into his eyes. No entourage. No tension rolling off him like a storm front.
It makes my chest do something deeply inconvenient.
I walk straight toward him, boots crunching against gravel, and stop directly in front of him.
“Well?” I say.
He looks up.
And gods help me, the way his eyes sharpen when they land on me still sends a familiar pull straight through my spine like a
memory.
Feels like it’s been longer then a week.
“Ellie,” he says, calm as ever. “Did you need something?”
I cross my arms. “You called for me.”
His brow furrows. “I didn’t.”
I scoff, “Your people really need to get better at lying.”
“I didn’t send anyone,” he says, and I believe him just enough to be irritated.
“Save it,” I snap. “I don’t know what game you think you’re playing, but I’m not interested. ”
He closes the book slowly, like he’s choosing his next move. “Ah, I think I know. My friends”
“No.” I cut him off, heat flaring. “Don’t explain. I’m done listening to explanations.”
He studies me, jaw tight. “Ellie”
“You don’t get my ear,” I say sharply. “Not after lying, Karia. Not after the midterm stunt. I still don’t tire how deep fase next
and I’m not trusting you enough to find out.”
Silence stretches between us
The fountain gurgles Birds flutter in the hedges
His eyebrow ticks “I’ve explained that to you
22
“I’ve enjoyed the distance,” I add, quieter but no less firm. “Let’s keep it that wo
I turn on my heel and leave before he can say anything else
It happens again two days later
Chass
+25 Bonus
This time it’s a note slipped into my bag. East wing stairwell. Now.
I crumple it without slowing my stride.
Then Marcus “accidentally” blocks my path outside the apothecary.
“Oh-Ellie,” he says, all fake innocence. “Didn’t Dominic need you?”
I stare at him. “If you’re trying to get yourself poisoned, this is an excellent method.”
He laughs, hands raised. “Worth a shot.”
That’s when it clicks.
The timing. The vague messages. The way Dominic looks just as irritated as I feel every time we’re shoved into the same space.
His friends are meddling.
And I hate that they’re kinda good at it.
By the end of the week, I’m wound tight with suspicion, every hallway feeling like a trap. I start changing routes. Keeping my eyes up. Noticing patterns.
I had no clue why they were trying to get us close again, but I will not be maneuvered.
And I had feeling, this wasn’t going to get better.
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