Chapter 26

26

MARIAH

I stand outside the grand old Rosewood mansion at the edge of Elderberry Falls, taking in the glowing enchanted lanterns floating around the venue for our ten-year high school reunion. The imposing stone facade is draped in shimmering curtains of magical mist, and the purposeful draping of water-drops reflect and refract the light so that the entire place sparkles, giving it an ethereal, dreamlike quality.

Next to me, Ecco looks radiant in a shimmering sea-blue gown that hugs her curves and ripples like ocean waves with every movement. Delicate mother-of-pearl jewelry at her throat and wrists accentuates her siren heritage. She gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, no doubt sensing my nervous energy.

"You've got this, Mariah," she says with a warm smile. "You look drop-dead gorgeous. Thorak won't know what hit him."

I glance down at my own dress—a deep crimson slip that falls to my ankles, with a daring slit up one side. Gold bangles jingle at my wrists. I know it accentuates my curves and brings out the luster of my dark hair. But I also feel exposed; I so rarely dress up like this.

Will everyone know that I'm here for Thorak? Does the whole town know what happened between us by now?

"Thanks, Ec. I couldn't do this without you by my side," I reply, returning the squeeze of her hand. I breathe deeply, steeling myself. "Okay, let's do this."

We ascend the marble steps and step through the grand double doors into the ballroom. The high-ceilinged space is a kaleidoscope of magical beings. Pixies dart about trailing glittering dust. A group of dapper werewolves in tailored suits laugh uproariously by the bar, chatting with a group of vampires in sleek black who sip blood-red cocktails. Enchanted instruments play themselves on a raised stage, weaving a lively, pulsing melody.

My eyes scan the room, searching for a familiar hulking green form. My stomach flutters with nerves and anticipation. Then a voice breaks through my reverie.

"Mariah Parker. I was hoping I'd run into you tonight."

I turn to see Zara Nightshade, resplendent in a flowing black gown, her raven hair styled in an elegant updo. She's part of one of the wealthiest shadow mage families in the magical world—and she was one of my chief tormentors back in high school.

I tense, bracing myself for a backhanded compliment or veiled insult. Old habits die hard.

But Zara's eyes are soft, almost...remorseful? She takes a step closer.

"I wanted to apologize, Mariah. For the way I treated you. Having this reunion made me think back on who I was back then, and…well, I was insecure and cruel, and I took it out on you." She stops and takes a deep breath. "It was wrong of me. I've done a lot of growing since graduation, and I wanted you to know...I'm sorry."

I blink in surprise, taken aback by the sincerity in her voice.

A lump forms in my throat. A small piece of me wants to lash out, refuse her apology, give her even a fraction of the pain her bullying caused me. But I see the genuine regret on her face.

"I...thank you, Zara," I manage. "I really appreciate you saying that. It means a lot to me."

She nods, fluttering her eyelashes. Is she…holding back tears? "You've done well for yourself, with the Moonflower Inn. I'm happy for you."

We share a moment of companionable silence, a sort of unspoken understanding passing between us. I marvel at how much people can change.

Then Ecco returns to my side, two glasses of shimmering rose-gold liquid in hand. "Fairy Fizz," she says with a wink. "Liquid courage."

I accept the delicate crystal flute gratefully and take a fortifying sip. The magical champagne buzzes pleasantly on my tongue, the bubbles going straight to my head, making me pleasantly relaxed. I turn to compliment Ecco again on her stunning dress when suddenly, my gaze snags on a familiar figure across the room.

Thorak.

The floor bottoms out beneath me.

He's devastatingly handsome in a well-cut charcoal suit that strains slightly across his broad shoulders. His green skin looks especially rich in the enchanted lighting. My eyes trace the strong lines of his jaw, the sensual curve of his lips and sharp, imposing points of his tusks.

Memories of our passionate night together flood through me, sending heat coursing under my skin.

Thorak's deep in conversation with some former classmates, but he looks tense. Agitated. As if sensing my gaze, his head suddenly swivels in my direction.

Our eyes lock and there's an instant spark, that smoldering intensity that's always simmered between us.

Then I remember how things ended. The hurt, the broken trust. All of the doubt rushes back in.

Ecco follows my gaze, her brow creasing in concern. "Hey, we can leave if you want. You don't have to do this tonight."

I tear my eyes away from Thorak to give her a wan smile. "No, I'm okay. I need to do this. For myself, if nothing else."

I down the rest of my Fairy Fizz in one gulp, the effervescent tingle giving me a burst of confidence. I take a step forward, then another, my heels clicking on the parquet floor. As I move through the crowd, I keep my eyes fixed on Thorak.

With every step, the past and the present collide. Old hurts and new hopes warring within me. So much has changed in the span of a decade. I know we've changed too.

My palms grow clammy as I make my way across the room, a thin sheen of sweat forming on the back of my neck. It's not just the nerves; it's the way Thorak looks tonight, the way he's looking at me.

His eyes haven't left mine, and they burn with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

I'm just a few feet away when the rest of Thorak's group notices my approach. Their conversation falters as they turn to look my way. For a moment, the world seems to fall away, and it's just the two of us, suspended in this charged moment.

Then, Thorak excuses himself from the group and takes a step towards me. "Mariah," he says, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. "You look...incredible."

I glance down at my dress, smoothing the red fabric over my hips nervously. "Thanks," I manage, my mouth suddenly dry. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

Thorak chuckles, a low, rumbling sound that warms me from the inside out. "I try." His smile wanes uncertainly, a hint of vulnerability peeking through his usually stoic demeanor. "I'm really glad you came tonight."

"Me too," I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. "It's been...a lot, seeing everyone again. Realizing how much has changed."

Thorak nods, his gaze never leaving mine. "I know what you mean. It's like looking at the past through a new lens. Seeing things differently."

We stand there for a moment, the weight of our history hanging between us. The hurt, the misunderstandings, the missed chances.

My heart thuds against my ribcage as I gather my courage. "Thorak, I...I think we need to talk. About everything that's happened. About...us."

Thorak's eyes widen slightly, but he doesn't look away. "I think you're right," he says softly. "Do you...maybe want to go somewhere a bit more private?"

I nod, not trusting my voice.

Thorak offers me his arm and I slip my hand into the crook of his elbow, the warmth of his skin radiating through his suit jacket. Together, we make our way towards the French doors that lead out onto a balcony, away from the noise and the crowd.

We step out into the cool night air and I breathe in deeply, steeling myself for the conversation to come. The balcony is a hidden oasis tucked away from the revelry of the reunion. Twinkling star-shaped lanterns are strung overhead, casting a warm glow over the space. The air is fragrant with the scent of night-blooming jasmine from the enchanted gardens below. In the distance, I can hear the gentle strains of music floating out from the ballroom.

But here, it's quiet. Private. Intimate.

Thorak and I move to the far end of the balcony, away from the doors. He leans against the railing, his large frame silhouetted against the starry sky. I stand beside him, close enough to feel the heat emanating from his body.

For a moment, we simply stand there, looking out over the gardens. The silence stretches between us, heavy with unsaid things.

I take a deep breath, the cool night air filling my lungs and calming me.

"Thorak, I..." I begin, my voice soft but steady. "I have to apologize. For not trusting you about Ygra. For judging you without hearing you out first."

Thorak turns to face me, his bright eyes searching mine. "Mariah, you don't have to?—"

"No, please. Let me say this," I interrupt gently. "I've been so unfair to you. You've shown me, time and again, that you've changed. That you're not the same person you were when we were kids. And instead of seeing that, I let my own insecurities cloud my judgment."

Thorak's expression softens, surprise and a glimmer of hope flickering across his face. "I understand why you felt that way," he says quietly. "I know I hurt you in the past. I don't blame you for being wary."

I shake my head, shame burning hot inside of me. "That's no excuse. You deserved better from me. After everything that happened between us, I should have given you a chance to explain about Ygra. But I let my fear and my pride get in the way."

Thorak turns toward me now, opening his mouth to say something else, but I cut him off, grabbing his large hand in mine.

Sparks ignite in my veins at his touch again after all this time.

"I'm sorry, Thorak," I continue, moving closer to him. "For everything. I've spent the past weeks living through heartbreak that I think I've inflicted on myself. I can't stop thinking about you and about what we had. How perfect it felt while it was happening. How incredible you made me feel and how right it seemed. I realized that…I was falling in love with you. And I fucked it all up."

I take another deep breath, fighting against the prick of tears behind my eyes.

"Can you...can you forgive me?" I ask.