Page 120 of Ivory's Ruin Romance

“That sounds perfect,” she murmured.

FIFTY-NINE

The following week passed in a blur. Shifts at the salon transitioned to classwork and late-night video calls with his sweet witch, accompanied by an ache when he couldn’t touch her the way he craved. A lurking, resolute grit edged him closer and closer to the fated events of spring break, and when Friday finally came, so did Ivory—several times—as he stripped her bare and fused their agitated spirits. Bodies and hearts entwined, peace returned for a hallowed night.

The next morning, they drove off campus with the midday sun beating on their backs. Normally, a break from school meant more work hours and helping Raptor with a side project, but not this time. Rather than winding through back roads, he traversed a congested highway, rumbling alongside cars and minivans before breaking for speed bumps in a residential village.

Cookie-cutter houses presented a manicured image of modern stone siding and green lawns, complete with black mailboxes dotted along sidewalks colored by children’s chalk drawings. Anyone who passed by could tell he didn’t belong here, but that wasn’t important. Seeing Ivory’s world meant as much to him as keeping her safe from his.

She took off her helmet and stretched, no doubt feeling the effects of their trip.

“You all right?” he asked as he shut off the bike and shook out his hair. After such a long ride, he expected her to be wary, but Ivory looked like she’d rather hop back on than go inside.

“Yeah, I’ll survive.” Her sweet smile came back as she focused on him, the dappled shade from a nearby tree dancing across her face. She let out a nervous laugh. “I told my mom I’d be bringing my boyfriend, but I don’t think she expects a biker with pink hair.”

“To be fair, I don’t think anyone expects a biker with pink hair.” He took her helmet and secured it with his to the side of the bike. “Besides, I’d rather have to prove myself than be accepted for appearance or credentials. Part of a knight’s duty is to fight for his honor, after all.”

Her laugh turned genuine as she leaned into him. “True.”

As much as he wanted to tell her everything would work out, he couldn’t guarantee that. But he would be clear about his intentions and hope to earn her family’s trust.

“Do you always have to be so perfect?” she sighed against his side.

He held her tighter and kissed her forehead, glad to feel some of the apprehension leave her body. “For you, yes.”

They locked his bike to the nearest streetlamp, then his hand found hers and he let her guide them up to the front steps. Her parent’s house looked no different than the rest, but he studied it with extra attention. This was her home. It held all the precious memories that had made her into who she was and all the people she loved most.

He squeezed her hand, then rested his arm around her waist as she rang the doorbell. They waited for a moment, Ivory fidgeting with the straps on her backpack, then movement passed behind the beveled glass window. The door opened to reveal a woman dressed in a chic blouse and loose white pants, brown hair tumbling over her shoulders. She froze as her gaze passed over them.

“Hi, Mom.” Ivory forced a smile and turned to introduce him. “This is my boyfriend, Adrian. The one I said I wanted you to meet.”

He nodded, keeping his arm firm as he felt her waiver. “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Monroe.”

For a measured second, no one spoke, then her mother’s smile revived. “Oh yes, it’s my pleasure. I almost didn’t recognize you with that purple hair, honey. I’m glad you made it safe.” She stepped aside. “Come in. I’m just cleaning up a bit.”

She reminded him of Ivory in many ways, her petite form and polite speech. But Ivory wasn’t nearly as adept at concealing her emotions.

As they entered, he cast a quick look around the open living room. Cream carpet complimented a cocoa leather sofa and family photos hung on each wall. One set in particular caught his eye, all with the same studio background, but a different version of Ivory as she matured from a girl to a young woman.

He’d never felt the absence of photos in his own home, but these he wanted to copy and hang for himself. An entire museum of pictures would hardly scratch the surface of how often he wanted to look at his girl.

“Your father is out running errands,” Mrs. Monroe continued, avoiding looking his way as she picked up a jacket from the sofa arm. “He’ll be back by dinner. Until then, I’m sure you want some time to show…”

“Adrian,” Ivory politely offered.

“Yes. You’ll want to show him around. I know you said he could stay in your room, but” —she cast a fleeting glance in his direction, not quite making eye contact— “I prepared the guest room just in case.” She handed Ivory the jacket. “Would you bring this to Brey while you’re at it? Tell him the next time I have to pick it up, I’m donating it to charity.”

Ivory sighed and tucked the jacket under her arm. “Sure, but I don’t think that will deter him.”

“It should,” Mrs. Monroe reproved and picked up a cloth to dust the shelves in the entertainment center. “Or else he’ll be going to college without clothes. I doubt he’d survive if he had to live on his own. No wonder he didn’t try for a better school.”

“I thought you were glad he got into the community college?” Ivory’s eyebrows pulled into a knot he reflexively wanted to smooth. Instead, he took off his boots and placed them in line with her sneakers.

“For Brey, yes, it’s certainly an accomplishment.” Mrs. Monroe paused and turned to acknowledge him for the first time since they walked in. “Ivory’s always been our brightest. I still remember when she won first place in the sixth-grade science fair, and now she’s all grown up and off to college. She’s destined to make a difference in the world.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He picked his words carefully, choosing to ignore her insinuated comparison and the piercing scrutiny in her eyes. “I’ve seen Ivory work harder than most people I know, in school and in every other part of her life.”

“All right, guys, enough about me.” Ivory turned red and tugged him towards the hall. “Let's go meet my brother.”

---