Page 24 of Hero of Havoc

“We'll make it right, Ivy,” Teddy promises. “We'll make all of it right,” he clarifies as Archer takes a step toward me, but Sax cuts in front of him, head tilted to the side as he looks deep into my eyes.

“Can I fucking hug you or something, or just⁠—”

Without thinking, I move, leaping into his embrace with my arms wrapped tightly around his neck. I inhale sharply, breathing him in as he squeezes me tight.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers against the shell of my ear, and the weight of those words soothes something deep inside me.

Before I can get lost in the connection, he releases his hold on me, only for Teddy to swoop in. He lifts me clean off the ground, swirling me on the spot, and peppering my cheek with soft kisses, as I still sway with the truth now open in the air.

Once he lowers me to my feet, Archer takes his spot, cupping my cheek with his palm as he looks deep into my eyes. He inches closer to rest his forehead against mine as he breathes me in. When he takes a step back, I spy Baron standing off in the distance, emotions in his eyes that I can't quite decipher, but neither of us take a step toward one another.

“We need to discuss Leonardo,” he states instead. “What happened in that room?”

I know he's referring to the night of the ball.

“He killed someone,” I state, and everyone grimaces.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” Sax states. “Your father too.”

I shrug, waving to brush it off when a sudden urge flourishes inside of me. My lips part and I can't stop myself. I bleed every word, catching them up on everything that happened in that room with Leonardo, what he wanted from me, what he had to offer, what his deal was. Followed by every piece of information I can recall detailing the moments before my father was killed.

“I don't like it,” Archer grunts, and I exhale.

“I’m worried I'm twisted up in his web now, but I'm more than that, I’m scared because I felt no remorse as he killed my father.”

“We won't allow for any of this to happen,” Teddy promises as a sudden yawn stretches my lips and I hide my face, exhaustion finally starting to catch up with me.

“Are you tired?” Sax asks, and I grimace.

“I didn't really sleep,” I admit.

“You can take the bed,” he offers, and I shake my head.

“I think I want my own space to think clearly,” I decide as Teddy plants his hands on his hips, cocking his head at me.

“As long as there's no Silas,” he states, and I roll my eyes.

“I feel sad for him,” I explain, not that I should need to.

“I’m failing to see how,” Archer grumbles, and I shrug.

“I don't know, but there's something I'm missing.”

“I don't think it's a good thing,” Baron adds, and I give him a pointed look.

“That would be assumptive.”

He nods before clearing his throat. “Can I walk you back to your room?” he asks, startling me with his offer, since there's so much distance that still remains between us.

Despite it, I find myself nodding anyway, before I’m swept up in a warm embrace from Sax, Archer, and Teddy.

As I make my way to the door, I feel like I'm floating, my mind a kaleidoscope of colors, each representing my thoughts and fighting for attention.

Heading out of the Land Protector dorms, we make our way across campus, weariness and disbelief swelling in my mind.

We make it halfway across to the Fire Protector dorms before Baron clears his throat. “Alaric is worrying about you.”

“I feel like Alaric is always worrying about me,” I retort, and he snickers, the sound almost whimsical.