The greenhouse air clung to my skin even after we left. My heart was still racing, and the scent of smoke—my smoke—lingered on Lucian's hoodie as he walked beside me in silence.
We didn't talk much on the way back. What could we even say? I had nearly set the greenery on fire. Literally.
He didn't look worried, though. Not of me. His jaw was tight, his eyes sharp, but there was something gentle there too.
And when I glanced at him—really glanced—my chest ached in a strange, fluttering way. Like my heart was too full and too fragile all at once.
We parted near the east tower, not far from the school. He'd promised not to say anything about the flare. I wasn't sure if I believed him, but I wanted to. And God, I wanted to see him again.
Maybe that's why the next few days blurred into one another like a dream I didn't want to wake up from.
Lucian kept showing up. Sometimes at breakfast, his tray sliding onto the bench across from mine before I even noticed him.
Other times he'd walk beside me between classes, making dry comments about the professors or asking if I was okay with this low, careful voice that made my skin feel too tight.
I knew people were watching. I just didn't care. Until Mira did.
"Okay," she said, slamming her tray down at lunch, startling me. "Spill."
I blinked. "Spill what?"
She leaned forward, eyebrows raised like she was about to interrogate me under oath. "Nova. You've been acting weird. Smiling at your freaking soup. Walking around like you're floating on air. And don't think I haven't noticed how often Lucian freaking Voss shows up wherever you are."
I shrugged, pushing peas around on my plate. "Nothing's going on."
Mira let out a sharp laugh. "Right. Nothing's going on. So, the brooding bad boy of Ashen Hollow High School has suddenly decided to be your emotional support and companion for no reason at all?"
"Mira," I warned.
"No," she said, jabbing a finger at me. "You're going to talk to me. You used to. Before you changed all of a sudden."
I sighed and looked around. People were watching us. Whispering. The same way they had whenever something is happening, only now it wasn't about any other thing. It was about me and him. About us.
"He's just... been helping me with some stuff," I muttered.
"Stuff?" Her eyes narrowed. "What kind of stuff?"
I hesitated. Mira knew me better than anyone. But she didn't know the whole truth. And I didn't know how to start telling her.
"School stuff," I said vaguely.
She stared at me for a second, then leaned back, crossing her arms. "Are you into him?"
My face heated instantly. "What? No. That's not—he's just—he's not bad once you get past the whole 'I might bite' vibe."
Mira didn't look convinced. "Nova."
"Seriously," I said, laughing a little too quickly. "It's nothing."
She studied me, her eyes softer now, but still probing. "Okay," she said after a long beat. "If you say so."
I relaxed slightly, glad she wasn't pressing further. But I could still feel the questions in the air between us, like smoke that hadn't cleared.
Lunch continued, conversations buzzing around us, but I barely heard any of it. Lucian hadn't shown up today. Part of me missed him already.
I stabbed a piece of bread with my fork and was about to change the subject when I felt the air shift.
Mira noticed it too.
"Oh no," she muttered under her breath.
I looked up just in time to see Isla sauntering toward our table. Her walk was too graceful, too intentional.
Like she knew every eye in the cafeteria would follow her—and she wanted it that way.
She didn't say a word as she stopped beside me. Just stood there, golden curls falling over one shoulder, a perfectly sculpted brow arched.
I sighed inwardly. "Can I help you?"
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I was just wondering," she said, voice honey-sweet and sharp beneath it, "what's going on between you and Lucian."
Mira made a sound, but I held up a hand before she could speak.
I turned to Isla, keeping my tone flat. "That's none of your business."
She leaned down a little, her smile growing wider—but colder. "See, that's where you're wrong, Nova. It is my business."
I blinked. "How?"
Her eyes darkened. "Because I don't like surprises. And Lucian… he doesn't spend time with just anyone. Especially not someone like you."
That stung more than I wanted it to.
Mira stood up, but Isla ignored her.
"What are you trying to prove?" Isla asked. "That you belong here? That you're special?"
I stood too, my voice low. "You don't know me."
"I know enough," she replied, her tone turning sharper. "I know Lucian doesn't just... care. So whatever game you're playing, stop. Before someone gets burned."
I felt the air thicken around me. Heat pulsed under my skin, the same way it had in the greenhouse. But I shoved it down. I wasn't going to lose control. Not here. Not in front of her.
I stepped closer. "I said it's none of your business, Isla. Walk away."
Her smile vanished. Her eyes narrowed into slits. "You think you're brave. You think this is some fairy tale where the outsider wins."
She leaned in close enough for only me to hear.
"But you have no idea who Lucian is. Or what he is capable of."
She straightened, tossed her hair, and turned like she hadn't just dropped a threat in my lap.
My heart pounded as I watched her walk away.
Mira grabbed my arm. "Nova—"
I didn't answer. My gaze was locked on Isla's retreating form, my pulse roaring in my ears.
Because despite what I said, Isla was right about one thing.
I didn't know who Lucian really was.
But I needed to find out—fast.