Page 35 of Wicked Knight
I spot Eilish with her lilac hair in long curls over by the chaise. She’s talking with her best friend, Willow Raventhorn—the girl whose multi-great grandfather started the Knights.
Although the two are juniors, they’re very much a part of my friend circle. I’ve known them for years. I probably speak to Eilish more because she’s the Thetas’ student counsellor and were required to check in with her on a monthly basis.
Willow and Eilish wave at me. I wave back and head over to Isabelle and the other girls, who have now spotted me.
“There she is. Our star ballerina,” Savannah announces, and my circle of friends joins her for a little round of applause.
“Aww, you guys.” I smile back at them, appreciating them even more. “You’re too good to me.”
Isabelle skips up to me and links her arm with mine. “We’re just proud of you.”
“We are,” Annika and Sawyer say in unison and giggle because they spoke at the same time.
“How does it feel to be back to civilian life?” Annika asks, pushing her curly platinum-blonde ponytail over her shoulder.
“Strange. I’ll miss rehearsals and getting ready for the show.”
“You’ll be back before you know it.”
They all nod, agreeing with her.
“Yeah, I can’t wait.”
“Do you want to grab a drink?” Isabelle asks, motioning toward the bar across from us.
I take the question to be a hint she wants to talk to me away from the group, so I nod. I definitelyneedto talk. “Sure, I need something super sweet.”
“Then let’s grab some cocktails.”
“Perfect.” I look back at the others and give them a dazzling smile. “See you guys in a sec.”
They nod and fall into excited chatter about Annika’s upcoming wedding to Thorne Ivanov. That’s been a hot topic since their engagement a few months ago.
Arm in arm, Isabelle and I stride over to the bar. Once we’re there, she guides me to the corner of the counter where it’s clear all of the students are ordering drinks.
“Any news from Dmitri?” she asks, her eyes wide with anticipation.
“Yes and no.” Nervously, I bring my hands together and rest them on my chest.
“What does that mean?”
I lean in closer, mindful that I’m around people and I need to be careful of what I say. “He came to see the show.”
Isabelle sucks in a breath. “What? Seriously?”
“Yeah. I saw him backstage after. Just before I met up with you and the girls.”
“Oh my God. Why didn’t you tell me? That was days ago.”
“Because… uhm…” My voice trails off, and I feel so unlike myself. It’s like Isabelle and I have swapped bodies, and she’s become the confident goddess I used to be, whereas I’m the friend who needs relationship advice.
“Uhm, what, Mackenzie? Did something happen?”
I press my lips together and nod.
She brings her hands to her cheeks and her eyes bulge. “What happened?”
“It was just a kiss.”