Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 42

Before I could say more, the bell cut through the room. Students scrambled to pack up, bracelets shoved in pockets or left smouldering on desks. I slipped mine into my skirt pocket; no way in hell I was leaving it behind, and I grabbed my bag.

“Please tell me we’re eating in your room today?” Tessa asked, still grinning, though the hopeful lilt in her voice said she wasn’t joking.

I smiled, already picturing the comfort of the attic and our quiet kitchen waiting. “Yeah,” I said as we threaded out the door together.

“Definitely.”

The shriek Tessa let out in the hallway nearly gave me a heart attack. I spun, hand flying to my chest, only to find Tessa practically plastered to a corridor wall, clutching a glossy poster like it was a sacred relic.

“Moonlight Festival!” she squealed, bouncing on her toes. “Look, look, look!”

I narrowed my eyes at the paper she shoved in my face. Elegant silver script curled across enchanted parchment, glittering faintly as if

This Year’s Theme: Enchanted Garden. each letter had been written with starlight. Moonlight Festival

–

“Oh, Ally, I wish you could’ve seen last year’s,” Tessa babbled, eyes already gone dreamy. “It was a winter wonderland, snow falling from the ceiling, ice sculptures of famous fated couples, enchanted sleigh rides, you name it! But this one is an enchanted garden-themed one. Oh gods, the flowers, the lights, it’s going to be magical!”

Her words spilled faster the more excited she got, tumbling into chatter about gowns and shoes and whether she could sneak her ears through a braid without looking ridiculous. Then she grabbed my wrist mid-step, eyes wide and hopeful. “Don’t you think this could be my year? Oh, imagine it, me finding my mate under the enchanted wisteria!”

I blinked at her, fighting the urge to laugh at her dramatics. “You’re really counting on it?”

“Of course I am!” She clasped her hands against her chest, a little starry-eyed. “Don’t you? Don’t you wonder who yours will be?”

We rounded the corner, her words still hanging in the air, and both Evander and Kael froze in front of us, their broad backs stiffening like someone had just shoved an icicle down their spines.

I frowned, my steps faltering. Tessa, oblivious, kept going. “Do you have any clue who might be your mate, Ally?” she pressed, beaming up

at me.

I opened my mouth to answer Tessa, but I never got the chance. Because in four long strides, both Evander and Kael closed the distance

between us.

“Hey, Ally,” Evander said first, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. He rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish in a way that didn’t fit the dragon boy I’d seen tear through the skies. “How are you feeling? I’m… sorry about last night.”

His sincerity caught me off guard. There was something in his eyes, guilt maybe, or something heavier. I forced a shrug, brushing off the strange vibe curling between us. “I’m fine,” I said. “And thank you. For saving me.”

His shoulders eased, just a fraction, like my words mattered more than they should have.

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12:46 Tue, Dec 30

A Gift For Your Fated.

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Before it could get any weirder, Kael cut in, his usual grin sliding back into place. “Great,” he drawled, “then we’ll walk you to lunch.”

I blinked, already bristling, but Tessa beat me to it. “We’re actually going to eat up in Ally’s room,” she chirped, completely unbothered.

Kael’s smirk widened. “Even better.”

I narrowed my eyes at him in a silent warning-don’t you dare-but of course, Kael wasn’t the type to take hints. “I think the least you

could do for your two heroes is supply them with lunch, don’t you think?”

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12:46 Tue, Dec 30

Thornhill Academy.

Honoured.

I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt, but the universe must’ve been playing tricks on me, because under all my irritation, something

twisted low in my gut. Guilt, maybe. Or some other ridiculous twinge reminding me I owed these two, for saving my life, for dragging me

out of the woods when I couldn’t pull myself.

“Fine,” I huffed, the word leaving my mouth like it had been pried out with pliers.

Beside me, Tessa’s eyes went wide, glowing with that really? look, like she couldn’t believe I was actually letting them in.

I leaned closer, muttering just for her, “Kael’s already seen it.” I shrugged like it was nothing, like it didn’t matter.

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