Page 81 of Spearcrest Prince

“There are better views in Spearcrest,” he says haughtily.

“Right… ?”

“I’ll show you,” he says. “If you want.”

“I’d like that.”

Silence falls once more. The studio is completely silent. There are no classes on the corridor; the teachers are all in their offices. Outside, everything is deadly still, branches and leaves suspended in the windless air.

“Did you… um, did you want something?” I ask finally.

We’ve not talked since the night of the date; we’ve not so much as texted. But the tension of that night, instead of dissipating in the time we were apart, seems only to have grown.

Sev stands right next to me, looking down at me with a slight frown. In a sudden movement, he crouches next to me and takes my chin in his hand.

“You’ve got paint all over your face,” he says in a thoughtful tone.

“Yea. That happens a lot. I told you.”

His eyes fall from mine, dropping to my mouth, then my throat. His hand follows his gaze. He tugs on my shirt collar with his thumb.

“You’re wearing the ring,” he says.

“Yes. Why wouldn’t I?”

His lips move in the ghost of a smile. “It looks nice. Gold suits you.”

I lick my lips. I’m nervous now.

Nervous because of his soft, thoughtful voice, the needless intensity of this moment. His presence is like a pool of gasoline, the iridescent gleam screaming danger. One spark, and we’ll both go up in flames.

“Are you going to Kay’s party after the exams?” he asks suddenly, his words rushing out of his mouth.

I nod. “Yes. I thought it might be nice. And I’m always saying no to her. I felt bad.”

“I didn’t think you liked parties.”

I let out a soft laugh. “No, I like them. But the parties I’m used to aren’t like the parties here.”

“What parties are you used to?”

“The beach, cheap drinks, bonfires, night swimming.”

He bites down on his lips. I have the feeling there’s something he wants to get off his chest or something he wants but doesn’t know how to ask for. Emotions pour off him like a tangible heat, searing my skin.

“Who are you going to the party with?”

I frown. “Uh… myself?”

“Nobody asked you?”

My heart stops, caught in a vice of hope.

“No,” I answer softly. “Why?”

He stares at me, his green-gold eyes searching mine. Is this why he’s come here? Does he want to ask me to go with him?

“I was just asking,” he says.

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