It strikes me that this will be my first birthday without her. She’s only a year younger than me, and her birthday is two weeks after mine, so our parents would usually drop by to visit our school somewhere between the two. Back before we went to boarding schools, we’d go do something fun as a family.
“What kind of cake?”
“Chocolate cake with chocolate icing.” I nod sharply. It was both of our favorites.
“Noted.”
“I assume we’re just going to classes, right?” It’s Friday, and as much as I usually wouldn’t mind skipping, it feels a lot less exciting when I’m literally allowed to just not go whenever.
“If you want.”
I narrow my eyes, wondering if he has something else in mind, but I figure I’ll just enjoy it as it comes.
“Eggs benedict first?” he asks. “Lola and Janet will be in the speakeasy soon.”
I gasp and joyfully rush to get dressed to go meet my friends for a delicious birthday breakfast.
* * *
Despite the uncertainty and fear still lingering on the edges of my mind, this has honestly been an incredible birthday.
I miss Liz enough that it’s a physical pain, but that pressure gets buried beneath laughter and joy and love while I’m with my friends.
I’ve never received more presents than I did today. I don’t even remember who some came from because there were so many people looking to give me things. More princess benefits, I guess.
Janet gave me a canvas with a hand-painted meadow, filled with calla lilies. Lola gave me a silver ring and a new hoodie, with dark rose petals all over it. Manuela gave me a beautiful mug made of thomsonite. I got an ancient-looking potions book in the mail from Thompson that I’m super excited to go through.
I also got chocolate-covered strawberries, another bunt cake, three bouquets of flowers, several items of clothing, and a few books.
But it’s been the laughter and care that’s stuck with me the most, and now, my heart thuds wildly in my chest as Jarron slides a bronze key into the knob of the third bronze door.
That bronze key looks achingly familiar—quite possibly it’s the one I found in his drawer a while back. Which means I had access to this door the whole.
Probably for the best that I didn’t know it.
He gifted me a stunning black dress with enough sparkles to make it look like a galaxy, and now, I’m going to get to see what’s in his secret room!
“You have no idea how much it’s bothered me not knowing what’s in here,” I whisper as the door cracks open.
He pauses. “I can show you, but it comes with limitations and very strict rules.”
“Oh,” I say.
“If anyone ever passes through this portal, I will feel it. It’s protected because it’s… personal. I don’t keep much from you, Candice, and I’m going to let you in, but it’s incredibly important that you of all people respect the boundaries I set. You could ruin—” He swallows, fear in his eyes. “You can only see the few parts I show you. Going anywhere else would be a true betrayal. Do you understand?”
My stomach twists. “Okay,” I answer, even while my mind spins. How would it be a betrayal?
I’m not sure exactly what that means, but inching toward answers is still better than nothing. I’m eager to find out what’s beyond the door, especially now that I know it’s so important to him.
The world beyond is pitch black. Jarron holds out his hand to me and guides me inside once I take it.
Jarron and I walk together through the bronze door, but we only step into solid darkness.
He slides his arm around my waist from behind and presses his chest to my back. “Your heart is racing.”
“Uh-huh.”Very clever response, Candice.
He chuckles, reaches somewhere beside him, and a massive red spotlight clicks on, revealing a stone archway with shimmering magic.
