My smile fades. I guess I knew it would end this way all along, but it’s still a bummer to leave early.
Mom grabs my little pile of things and walks out of the cottage. I slip into my sweats and follow her outside. Everyone’s awake and peeping their heads outside their windows or fancy tent-flaps. Lincoln stands in front of his cottage, leaning against the doorjamb. He wears a fitted white t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms. My hands itch to touch his chest. Now.
Mom marches over to Betsy and revs her engine. I follow her to the car, feeling Lincoln’s eyes on me. I shoot him a glance as I slide into the front seat. He winks; I blush. Damn, yesterday was a lot of fun.
We drive past a long line of cottages. The Great Ladies stand outside them, each one wearing a long nightgown in her house’s color. If looks were needles, I’d be a pincushion right now.
I’m going home a day early, but that was worth it. Absolutely.
Mom taps the steering wheel with her nails. “If you’re well enough to cause trouble, you’re well enough to learn. I’m dropping you off at school.”
I open my mouth, ready to explain why I need to spend the afternoon recovering and watching TV. “Well, I…You have to understand, it…”
Mom purses her lips. “I can’t want to hear this.”
“You know what?” I lean back in my seat. “I’ve got nothing. Drop me off at school.”
Mom cracks the tiniest smile. “They shouldn’t have demons in a classroom anyway.”
“Does that mean I don’t have to go to school?”
“Nice try.”
I hit school sometime after lunch. Cissy spots me the second my sneakers hit the hallway. “It’s good to see you feeling better, sweetie.” She plants a quick kiss on my cheek.
“Thanks, Cissy.”
“So I thought you weren’t coming back to school until tomorrow. What happened?”
What happened? Lincoln happened. Heat climbs into my cheeks as I remember the Prince’s kiss and his sweet words. Not that I’m telling Cissy anything about that. The last thing I need is the return of the envy monster. I clear my throat. “I felt better.”
Cissy sets her hand on my arm. “Are you okay? You look flushed.”
I force a cough. “Yeah, I’m fine. Still recovering.” Hells bells, could I be any more suspicious?
Cissy gives my arm a gentle pat. “Don’t push yourself, sweetie.”
I exhale. “You’re so right.” And so not suspecting anything. Sweet.
“Oh, you won’t believe what happened at school. Someone stole all the Biology demons.”
“No. Way.” I grin, my eyes flaring red. Talking about kissing Lincoln? A bad idea. Bragging about stealing Reperio? A requirement.
“Hells bells! Myla, did you have something to do with that?”
“I most surely did.” I wag my eyebrows up and down. “I totally stole the Reperio and released them at a thrax dinner. Isn’t that the best idea in the history of ever?”
Cissy sighs. “I won’t lecture you on why that was completely insane. If you’d been caught, it would have been another diplomatic nightmare. Not to mention the fact that stealing from school is illegal.”
I click my tongue. “This is one of your non-lecture-lectures, isn’t it?”
Cissy tries to grimace, but smiles instead. “You are trouble, Myla Lewis.”
Funny, that’s what Lincoln said too. I remember the Prince’s kiss and feel all fuzzy inside. I must have a pretty goofy look on my face, because once I return my attention to Cissy, she’s now suspecting something, big time.
“Why’d you release demons at a thrax dinner?” She smacks her lips. “Does this have anything to do with Prince Lincoln?”
Play it cool, Myla. “Oh, him? He’s just a friend.” A friend that I kissed once and now want to strip down and lick, that’s all.
“Are you holding out on me?” Her eyes flare red.
Wooo-ee. I need to vamoose before she goes all envy demon on me. “Sorry, Cissy. I gotta run or I’ll be late.” Turning on my heel, I rush off before she has a chance to stop me.
Whew. That was close.
Chapter Seventeen
“Good morning, Myla. You’re called to serve.”
I open my eyes and yawn. “Hey there, Walker. I haven’t seen you in ages.” In fact, the last time I saw him was three months ago, when I fought Deacon in the Arena and almost tackled Lincoln. Who knew I’d end up kissing the guy? Since then, I’ve gone to both the thrax autumn and winter tournaments. Time has flown.
Now it’s just a few days after celebrations for the New Year. Too long, really, between visits from my honorary undead older brother. Normally he sneaks me in to see someone else’s match at the Arena at least once a month.
I mock-frown. “I’ve missed you, Walker.”