Page 23 of Rogue’s Reckoning

I sigh, getting up to gather my things. As I dress, I can't help but feel a sense of melancholy. Every time I feel like I'm getting closer to Ezra, to understanding him, something pulls him away.

Unlockingthe door to my dorm, I'm surprised to find Ivy lounging on my couch, flipping through a magazine.

"Sis!" she exclaims, jumping up to hug me. "Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all day!"

I hug her back, guilt washing over me. In the whirlwind of my time with Ezra, I'd completely forgotten to check my phone.

"Sorry, I was... out," I say vaguely, not quite ready to share the details of my relationship with Ezra.

Ivy raises an eyebrow, a knowing smirk on her face. "Out, huh? With that mysterious guy you mentioned before?"

I blush, unable to hide my smile. "Maybe."

Ivy squeals, pulling me to sit on the couch. "Spill, sis! I want all the details!"

For a moment, I'm transported back to our teenage years, when we'd stay up late giggling over boys and dreams of the future. I've missed this closeness with my twin.

"His name is Ezra," I say, unable to keep the affection out of my voice. "He's... different from anyone I've ever met. Intense, mysterious, but so gentle with me."

"He sounds... interesting," Ivy says carefully when I finish. "Just be careful, okay? Men like that... they can be dangerous."

I frown, surprised by her warning. "You don't even know him, Ivy."

She sighs, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "I know. I just worry about you, sis. You're so... innocent. I don't want to see you get hurt."

“I won’t. So, what did you want to see me about?” I ask, wondering why she’s here.

Ivy's expression shifts, becoming more serious. "Oh right. I wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. I want you to meet Lochlann."

I blink in surprise. Ivy has been so secretive about her relationship. I never expected her to want me to meet him. "Really? I'd love to."

She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Great! It'll just be the three of us. I really want you two to get to know each other."

There's something off about her tone, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is. "Sounds good," I say, pushing aside my unease. "Where should we meet?"

"How about that little Italian place downtown? Around eight?"

I nod, remembering my first dinner with Ezra at that same restaurant. The memory brings a smile to my face.

Ivy stands, gathering her things. "Well, I should get going. See you tomorrow night, sis!"

As she leaves, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this dinner invitation than Ivy is letting on. But I push the thought aside, focusing instead on getting ready for dinner with my parents.

Dinnerwith my parents is exactly as I expected—a minefield of passive-aggressive comments and thinly veiled disappointment.

"Willow, darling, you look tired," my mother says as soon as I sit down. "Are you getting enough sleep? You know how important it is to take care of yourself."

I force a smile. "I'm fine, Mom. Just been busy with school."

"Hmm," she hums, not sounding convinced. "Well, you should try to get more rest. We wouldn't want you falling behind in your studies."

My father barely looks up from his newspaper. "How are your classes going, Willow?"

"They're going well," I start, but before I can elaborate, my mother cuts in.

"Oh, did I tell you about Ivy's latest art show? It was such a success! The gallery owner said she's never seen such talent in someone so young."

And just like that, the conversation shifts to Ivy's accomplishments, my own achievements forgotten. I sit there, pushing food around my plate, feeling increasingly invisible.

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