Page 40 of Seven is Swell

“I did,” I tell August. “You don’t think it would be silly of me to…give in? Don’t I need to make sure a little longer that he’s serious?”

“I don’t know what sign you’re waiting for love,” Jackson says quietly as we approach the doors for the athletic building, “but from where I’m standing, he’s been giving plenty. I got up to get a glass of water last night and he was crying, on the couch where he’s been sleeping. He hid it well from me and pretended to sleep, but I could practically feel his emotions from the kitchen. I’m not saying that to guilt you into anything, but I think he’s really been doing some self-reflecting and I don’t think you need to worry about looking silly actually bonding with one of your soulmates.”

With that truth bomb, I give them each a quick hug and kiss before I have to go change in the locker room, startling when I find a dark blue jewelry box resting in my locker. I pull the note out from under it, handwritten with what looks like a real calligraphy pen on thick ivory cardstock.

To my beloved,

Forgive me for all the subterfuge, but I am not always able to pull my owns strings. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing this yet, I understand. As a show of good faith, I will tell you how you can save your gargoyle.

I truly mean you no harm, but I am nearly as stuck as he is.

Maybe you’re frightened of me, and maybe you have every right to be, but I promise you know me. We were so goodtogether then, and I fought against everything in me to pull myself from you and wait for the timing to be perfect.

Is it creepy if I admit I’ve been watching you? You’re so beautiful; you always were.

I have a lot less to do with this arrangement than you’d think, and I am just trying to make the most out of our duty. I hope in time it will not feel like a duty to you, however.

I’ll know when you’re ready to confront me.

Rush

Against my good and bad judgment, I flip open the jewelry box and gasp at the stunning ring nestled inside. Front and center, there’s a large oval cut amethyst in a shade of purple that’s eerily similar to the color of my eyes. It’s nestled into what might be silver or white gold, the actual band constructed of thin vines with little diamonds nestled into where the leaves would be. The whole thing is very nature inspired and stunning, unlike any ring I’ve ever seen.

I look back to the note as I fidget with the ring, getting caught on the words ‘I promise you know me.’

My hands shake as I look to the back of the note, seeing a long, detailed list of instructions on how to put the goblin heart to use to break any and all curses. I don’t want to risk losing this because it feels like this is the lifeline I’ve been waiting for. If I can get Leo to me, I feel like a lot of my problems will be solved. I’m not even sure if these instructions will do anything, but the flashy engagement ring kind of says it might.

Realizing I’m the last one in here, I change quickly and shove the notes into the pocket on the side of my pants, sliding the ring onto my finger to keep it safe more than anything. There arealways stories of people getting their lockers broken into, and this is far too valuable and pretty to just leave laying around.

I slip by August and Jackson as I walk into the room my class is held in, slipping the whole note into their pocket to keep it safe. They catch me by the hand and stare at me, silently asking about the gorgeous ring on my hand, but it’s not on my actual ring finger, and it is really pretty. “Read the note. I’ve got to get out there and get a mat.”

The class goes by very blurrily; I know I’m going through all the motions and doing the stretches and strengthening my muscles, but my mind is full of ideas and hopes, lots of trepidations too.

“Pretty ring,” one of my classmates says as they walk by when we start cleaning up after class.

“Thanks,” I say quietly.

As soon as I have my things put away and I’m officially done with classes for the day, August and Jackson pull me to the hallway and grab my hand, holding it up to see the ring from all different angles.

“Well, if this is from the demon he doesn’t seem like he’s too scary,” August finally announces.

“It sounds like you know him. You sure you don’t know him?”

I shake my head at Jackson’s question. “I can confidently say I’ve never met anyone with blue skin or that identified as a demon, unless they were changing their appearance like Cory guessed. If that’s the case, then it could have been literally anybody I’ve ever had an interaction with.”

August is checking up and down the halls like he’ll be able to spot the demon himself. “Maybe this is one of those times we trust the goddess?”

I scoff. “You don’t have to sound so happy about that.”

Jackson picks me up, forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist as he walks me to the entrance of the locker room. “We’ll figure it out. It’s the end of your school week. Why don’t you get changed so we can grab dinner, and then we can go relax and talk to everyone else and see what to make of it.”

“What if I free him and it’s not the same? What if he doesn’t want me after that?”

It’s a stupid confession to make but it’s still sitting in my heart, rattling around. “Knowing I have the knowledge to free Leo feels like I have to. If I wait and he finds out I had it earlier, there’re going to be problems. But if I do it right away…”

Jackson’s kiss is a great way to get my brain to refocus itself. “You’re not alone in this. No matter how many times you need to tell yourself that, do it.”

“I think I’m just going to throw a hoodie on and call it a day; I don’t really want to change right now. Let me just grab my backpack and we can get out of here.”

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