Page 32 of Queen of Ruin

“Will you excuse me?” I interrupt him.

“Darren!” I hear Rausch calling after me, but I pay him no mind as I take my place next to her.

“It’s much more beautiful in spring when the tulips bloom,” I entreat.

“It looks like it belongs in a Jane Austen novel,” she laughs, gesturing to the gothic style building, a spire peeking out and lifting to the clear blue sky.

I look around the courtyard and remember the first time I set foot on the campus.

“And to think it was nearly extinguished by the Civil War.” I tuck my hands inside the pockets of my jacket, the chilly fall air carried in from the Potomac whips between the buildings. “Most of the students enlisted,” I raise my eyebrows, “both Union and Confederate forces.”

“Is that something they teach you during orientation?” she teases.

“Along with the Hoyas fight song,” I tease back.

“What is a Hoya? Some kind of mystical animal?” she jests.

“I assure you it’s nothing as exciting as that. It’s derived from Hoya Saxa,” I explain.

“What does it mean?”

“The literal translation is ‘what rocks’.”

She adjusts the lapels of my wool jacket, pulling them tighter around my chest. “You look very handsome.” She smooths down an errant piece of hair from my forehead. “You wouldn’t want anything to mar that.”

“Is this your way of asking me to behave?” I ponder, noticing her gaze over my shoulder towards the podium.

“It looks like you’re being summoned.”

“Rausch is probably having heart palpitations right now,” I laugh.

“You better go then.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re taking enjoyment at my discomfort at having to make a public appearance.”

She loops her arm through mine and we walk towards the chairs that have been set up.

“Perhaps you’re very good at pretending to hate these things.”

She stops at the row where a place card rests on the seat with her name on it.

“I would enjoy it better if Langley weren’t giving the plaque,” I grouse through gritted teeth. “If I had known ahead of time, I wouldn’t have accepted.” Anger slicks over my skin at just the thought of his hands on her.

“Don’t let him taint something that will help a lot of people.”

“I think your charitable nature is rubbing off on me. Alistair would be appalled,” I joke, and that garners me a laugh.

I place a kiss on the top her head before I make my way to the front where Rausch’s furrowed brow threatens to make me turn back around.

While Dr. Baines stands at the podium and makes introductions, Rausch leans closer to me and whispers in my ear, “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“You’re lack of faith in me is disappointing. I’m a grown up, Rausch.” I smooth out the lapels of my coat while staring towards the other side of the courtyard where Jonathan Langley stands.

“That’s debatable, Darren. Just remember why you’re here – for your parents.”

“Help me in welcoming a distinguished member of Congress, Senator Jonathan Langley.” Dr. Baines steps aside and I watch as Langley walks toward the podium, waving to the small camera crew that’s covering the dedication.

No doubt Rausch can feel me stiffen beside him, anger wafting off me like the earthy algae smell of the nearby Potomac, and he clears his throat as if to provide a reminder to behave.

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