Page 136 of The Blackened Blade

“Who's your brother?”

I had seen her with Ezra before during Music class, but they didn’t resemble each other. But then who am I to talk, Seria and I don't look anything alike.Thank the Gods.

“Creed.” She replies, and I almost have to steady myself with the shock.

Creed, as in Captain asshole, Mr. Stubborn incarnate and the Dark Lord himself?

How was he related to someone so beautiful, genuine and funny?

I lean in, looking closer. I guess there were some physical resemblances; their modelesque features, dark raven hair and amber eyes–although Morgan’s were slightly brighter in colour.

But even if they looked similar, they couldn’t be more different. Morgan may be blunt but she wasn’t mean or arrogant like Creed. And even with her ‘fierce’ personality she had a warmer side, I could see it in the soft or gentle gazes she gave me or Ash and Grey. She wasn’t rude or overbearing either. Clearly she got all the good personality traits in the womb. How was Creed so lucky getting her as a younger sister?While I got Seria.

“Like what you see?” She wiggles her brows comically before shaking her head and sighing. “Sorry Micai, I'm already called for.”She hitches her thumb toward Ash and Grey. “These assholes can be possessive.”

The boys in question roll their eyes, a small grin stretching their cheeks as they watch her joke around.

A group starts to gather on the other side of the courtyard; a couple of first year girls with a few second year boys, all laughing and talking about the Winter Ball.

“Time to go.” Calls Grey as Ash nods, a more serious look in their eyes as they take back on the roles of Morgan's personal bodyguards.

Morgan sighs, taking her turn to roll her eyes.

“As I said before,over protective.” But I can see the warm look that bleeds into her gaze as she glances their way. She gets up, dusting off her skirt before making her way toward them. And then with one final wave they're gone.

I wait until they are out of sight before heading up to my room. But once inside, I freeze.

There was a different scent drifting around my room. Scents that felt strangely familiar…sweet and salty, and then smoky. And reminded me instantly of Ezra and Annex.

I make my way over to my bed and notice a large white box with a silky black ribbon and bow across it. There's a small card too.

It has two different writing styles on it. The first says‘Micai,Will you be our partner for the ball?’with Ezra’s name underneath it. And below that in a more messy script reads,‘Wear this Red, you’ll look hot as hell’, it's finished with a large‘A’...I’m guessing that must be Annex.

Something warm builds in my chest as my hand traces their handwriting, a grin painfully pulling at my cheeks with their words. I place the card down carefully on my dresser and make my way back over to the box. Slowly, I begin to open it.

Inside sits black tissue paper wrapped neatly over a small bundle.

I gently pull the black paper off and a dark teal bundle slips out. I catch the rich silky fabric before it reaches the floor, and my breath catches in my chest with the beauty of what I’m now holding.

It's a floor-length dark teal dress with a bias cut. It looks decadent and breath-taking, and somehow…familiar.

Then it hits me, the small dress shop in town. I had only looked at it for just a moment, but they noticed. And they bought it for me.

How had they seen in just mere seconds the want I had for this dress? And made it their mission to get it for me? We hadn’t even known each other for long and yet they seemed to be able to read me so well.

These two boys…how did they always manage to surprise me and make me smile like this?

I pull the dress toward my chest and turn to the mirror.

I hadn’t planned on going to the Winter Ball. I had wanted to avoid another bad memory and the morons that made up the majority of the student body.

But why should I?

Why should I miss out or hold back for them anymore?

With Annex and Ezra I was sure to have a good night.Maybe even more than that.

I smooth the dress down my front, gazing at the reflection smiling from the mirror.

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