Page 155 of Gemini Hunted
“Enjoy your flowers, McSnicker,” someone murmurs in my ear. “They suit you.”
I spin around in shock to find Vasili looming over me. I’m the tallest girl in my class, but somehow he manages to be taller.
Even when, like today, he’s not wearing heels.
Unlike the rest of the guys, V’s narrow tux is a pale mauve, accessorized with a sparkly bow tie in Zara’s teal. Also unlike the rest of the guys, he’s wearing as much makeup as Zara, and wearing it really well.
I happen to know he and Zara shared a spa day before the main event.
The Academy’s worst bully, to my complete amazement, is smiling. He isn’t even sneering. It’s an actual smile. I can see the tips of the wicked fangs he can’t retract, but almost never shows, pressing into his glossy lower lip. I figure he’s having the wedding day he probably never dreamed he’d get. That horrible snake, who hurt everyone around him (as Zara gently explained to me) because he was secretly hurting inside so much himself…
He actually looks…
Happy.
In fact, he’s acting so nice and so normal (for once) that I screw up my courage to ask him an actual question. Because, as everyone knows, Vasili Romanov is the strongest telekinetic on this island.
I gesture awkwardly with the flowers. “So, Vasili, um, did you by any chance…?”
“Well, whoever else would have done it, darling?” One perfectly painted eyelid dips in a sly wink. “Zara seems certain you’re the perfect choice.”
