Page 21 of Bound By Crimson
“I’ll see you soon.”
But two weeks had passed.
No sign.
No word.
Maybe he hadn’t meant it. Maybe she had just imagined the promise in his voice.
But still, when the nights grew long and the world quieted, she found herself waiting. Even if she didn’t want to.
Chapter Six
Summer Solstice
The flyer arrived folded into the morning paper.
Summer Solstice Dance–June 20
Delicate florals scrolled around the edges in indigo ink.
Lyric stared at it as the bells above the Velvet Cauldron’s door chimed. Velora walked in carrying a tray of coffees. She took one look at the flyer in Lyric’s hand and grinned.
“Oh,you’regoing.”
“I don’t think so.” Lyric set the paper aside. “I used to go every year with my parents. It would feel… weird without them.”
Velora leaned on the counter. “That’s exactly why you should go. You need to start doing things again.”
Lyric hesitated. A flicker of memory surfaced—the man whose eyes had burned into her soul. The stranger from the masquerade ball.
Months had passed since that night, yet his face still haunted her dreams. Some foolish, fragile part of her wondered if he’d be there.
She shook the thought away.
“I’ll try it out,” Lyric said softly. “If it’s awful, I’ll leave.”
“Perfect.” Velora brightened. “Because I bought you something… I saw this dress and thought it would hug your hips perfectly. I couldn’t resist.”
Lyric sighed, but her lips curved upward. “You really don’t take no for an answer.”
“Never.”
---
The summer solstice arrived with warm air and clear skies. The community center had been transformed, strings of soft lights woven between wooden beams. Flowers were everywhere.
But Lyric felt out of place.
Neighbors greeted her with sad smiles and gentle words. We miss your parents. So glad you came. It’s good to see you out again.
Each kindness tightened the ache in her chest.
She scanned the room. No sign of him. The mysterious man from the masquerade. The stranger whose absence had haunted her.
Her eyes caught instead on Eric.
And Rowan.
