The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)
Chapter 36

The day before the pledge, Tristan comes to visit.

He suggests we talk, and I suggest we do it in the garden.

"Hey," he says when he sees me by the fountain.

"Hey." I take my sunglasses off and smile at him. "You look dressed up. Are you coming from a fancy yacht party?" He's dressed in white shorts and a navy polo shirt. I cock my head to the side. "When did you become such a pretentious, decorative noble?"

He stuffs his hands in his pockets. "I don't know. When did you become such a headstrong, pain in the ass?"

I gasp. "Rude."

"In a good way." He assures and steps closer. "When I met you, you were 15, scared of fire, and desperate to please everyone you met."

"And now?"

"Now..." He stares into my eyes. "You are perfection."

I shake my head and chuckle. "Funny."

He adjusts a loose strand of his hair. "So, Arin, huh?"

I roll my eyes. "That was two weeks ago. And I didn't break out for him, it was to see Pearl Hanchez."

His eyes widen. "Wow, I really am left in the dark."

"Yeah. The date was a cover." I fold my arms across my chest. "I knew the press would eat that up, not you."

He shrugs. "I can't predict anything you do anymore. And we don't talk, so I'm left with trashy magazines and hateful social media posts."

I stare at the fountain. "I always thought if we broke up, we'd still talk."

"Me too." He takes another step closer. I instinctively step back. He sighs. "What's your plan now?"

I rub the base of my neck. "I still have three more years of school. After that, I haven't a clue."

"And your magic?" He gestures at my head.

"I thought the only thing you knew about me was what you saw in the press."

People don't know my attacks were about my relic. They think Ryppers were just after any member of the family. They also don't know I plan on changing my jewel.

They'll all be surprised when I walk into the cave. They won't know what I've done till it's over. By then, it'll be safe from the Ryppers. And the fight can go on as usual.

"Grey told me about that." Tristan stuns me by saying.

"Grey?"

"Yeah, we're kind of friends now. With everything going on, he's trying to realign his life or something."

I think about that. He's been out of the tabloids recently. The only picture they have of him is when he handed me my drink at my party. But even then, he just seemed like a sweet elder brother giving his sister her "first" drink.

"Good for him. Huh, now I'm officially the rogue Harrington."

Tristan's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Are you happy? Right now."

"I'm...a little less confused than I was last year."

He nods. "Grey thinks that with the crown gone, and better security at Brimstone, the three of you can return next year."

"Oh." That's news to me.

"Is that something you'd like?"

"I think so. Beats being here every day."

He looks back at the building. "Yeah, this place looks like a torture house "

"Get out."

He laughs. "I'm heading in to see Grey. If I don't see you before I leave, goodbye. I guess."

I unfold my arms. "Goodbye, Tristan."

He turns on his heel and struts off.

***

Later that night, there's a knock on my bedroom door.

"Are you awake?" Grey calls from the other side.

"Yeah," I exhale and sit up on my dresser chair.

He opens the door. "It's midnight."

"Can't sleep. I keep thinking about tomorrow." I turn so I'm facing him.

He closes the door and walks over to my bed. He sits at the edge. "Tell me about it." He exhales deeply.

I fold my arms on the top of the chair and rest my chin on them. Images from the beginning of summer flood my mind.

"Dad didn't want you taking the pledge?" I say.

The silence that follows is heavy.

"Something like that, yeah." He laughs blithely. "They're getting divorced."

My eyes widen slightly. "Oh."

Grey rubs his eyes. "Or maybe not. Aunt Freya's interfering."

We both know it's not because she cares about her brother's happiness.

"You think we're cursed?" I ask. "The "unlucky in love" Harrington family curse."

This smile is sincere. "I think everyone's unlucky in love. You either never replace someone, or you do and they get sick of you."

I bite my bottom lip. "I think I'm done with love for a while."

He looks away briefly. "Tristan still loves you."

I bite my lip harder. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

I don't know what to say. "Well." I sniff.

Grey scoots closer to the edge. "We haven't talked in a while. Like, talked."

"It's been a hard year."

"We didn't exactly make it easier for each other." He reasons.

I leave my seat and settle beside him on my bed. I fall back and he does the same.

"I wanted to talk about what happened at the start of summer."

He closes his eyes. "I cringe whenever I remember that."

That makes me laugh. "It was a lot to hear over undercooked bacon." I give him time to respond. "Do you feel like that? Like the consequences of your actions don't exist?"

He opens his eyes. "I did for a while. My parents always made the repercussions disappear."

"Do you still think they don't matter?"

"I think...that I want to be more than just the family loser."

"You're in luck, you have me as a sister." I joke.

"You know you're actually pretty fucking amazing."

I snort. "Please."

"I'm serious. You've been in our world for two years and you're crushing it. Your magic is strong, you're charming politicians, even your approval ratings are impressive." He sits up. "You've come a long way. You should give yourself credit for that."

I take a deep breath to clear my throat. "Thanks."

He nods. "No problem." He gets off my bed. "How about you come with me to see my grandparents in a few days?"

Lilian's parents live on the outskirts of the capitol. I've never met them. "I don't want to intrude."

"You'll love them, and they'll love you."

There's a look of disbelief on my face. "I don't think anyone that created Lilian is capable of liking me."

He laughs. "Pack a bag." And walks to my door.

"Goodnight, Grey."

"Night." He closes the door behind him.

I crawl under my covers and drift off to sleep soon after.

***

The following morning feels rushed. I wake up early to soak in a bath. When I step out, a makeup artist is ready for me.

Keri chastises me for being late and I have to rush through my routine.

I'm dressed and on my way downstairs at 9. Kat is fully dressed, sitting on a sofa, and scrolling through her phone.

"Cass," she places one hand below her mouth to catch the stray crumbs of her croissant. "You look lovely."

I'm dressed in a simple emerald gown. It's knee-length and has short sleeves. Kat's is blue, ankle length, and slim-fitted. Her hair is in a chignon bun with a pearl comb holding it together.

"You too. Where is everyone?"

"Dad is monitoring things from HQ today. Uncle Seb and Mum are going over today's events and security. And I have no idea where Grey is."

"Lilian?"

"She isn't coming." Kat drops her phone on the coffee table in front of her. "Mum is not thrilled about that."

I remember Grey and I's conversation last night. Lilian might actually leave Seb.

I sit beside Kat. She points at the plate of treats in front of me and I shake my head.

The double doors open and Dent walks in. "Today's papers." He drops them on the table. "Where's the prince?"

Kat shrugs her shoulders. I shake my head.

Dent forces a smile. "Let Keri and I know if you need anything." He exits the room.

"Dent is so much nicer than Keri." I pick up today's copy of Aldean Sun.

"If Keri wasn't so good at her job, my mum would have fired her."

On cue, Grey walks in.

He's wearing a navy suit with a tie two shades lighter.

"Morning." He greets chirpily. He seats on the armchair opposite us and picks the first newspaper he sees. "Any important headlines to know?"

"Rypper attacks, today's pledge, new bills," Kat whispers. "No, not really."

Grey hums and stuffs a pastry in his mouth.

The double doors swing open again and Aunt Freya walks in.

"Good, you're all here." She sighs. "Is everyone ready? We'll be leaving soon."

"It doesn't start till 12." Crumbs fly out of Grey's mouth when he speaks.

Aunt Freya shakes her head softly at that. "We're starting an hour early. It's a surprise. We can't afford a Rypper attack today."

She notices the stack on the table. "Anything?" She uses her head to point at it.

"No." The three of us say in unison.

"Alright then." She smooths her lilac dress. "Be at the front in five minutes."

As she walks out, Keri walks in. She courtesies at my aunt and offers a polite smile. The former leaves and Keri gives us a cold look. "Phones." She holds her bag out.

Grey takes his out of his pocket and tosses it to her. She catches it in her bag. Kat gets up, adjusts her dress, and puts hers in the bag.

I stare at my phone's dark screen.

"I need to make a quick call." I rush out of the room and into the carpeted hallway. I duck into the next room. It's a small study.

I sit on the desk and scroll through my contacts list. My fingers hover over Arin's name.

I tap it.

He picks up on the last ring. "Cassandra." He's breathless, like he just finished a run.

"Hey, Arin." My voice is soft.

"What's wrong? Why are you calling?"

I shake my head slowly. "Nothing. I just wanted to...talk?"

His soft laughter fills the small room. "Are you asking?"

"I don't know why I called."

"It's okay. I don't mind hearing your voice...hearing from you." He quickly corrects.

"We should talk. Properly."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. During the reception tonight? After the pledge."

"I can sneak away from my grandfather for a few minutes."

"Might take longer than a few minutes." I chuckle feebly at my joke." He chuckles as well and my chest feels lighter. "See you then."

"I can't wait to see you, Cass."

"You too, Arin."