Page 130 of The Scars Within
“Shut up,” I muttered with a playful snap, though I couldn’t help but smile.
The rest of the evening unfolded smoothly. A few more guys asked me to dance, and I obliged, finding the attention less unsettling than before. Any lingering stares from the crowd quickly retreated when I met their gaze, and Pehper kept her distance. I spotted her dancing with Shayde once, but he quickly passed her off to another partner. When it was her turn to twirl into Rhodes’s arms, he immediately twirled her past him into someone else’s.
I noticed Captain Thorne was nowhere to be seen, and most of the first-year professors hadn’t made an appearance either. Even the War Chief was notably absent.
I stood on my toes, scanning above the crowd, determined to find Rhodes before the musicians played their final note. Weaving through the throng of people, I received a playful bump on the ass from Tatum as she danced with Davis, her mischievous grin making me chuckle.
Then I saw him.
Rhodes stood in the shadows of a secluded alcove, his tall frame outlined by the soft glow of the ballroom lights. He is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. His all-black suit allowed him to blend perfectly into the shadows. His posture was relaxed, but I could tell his focus was elsewhere—likely communicating with Noemi. For a moment, I hesitated, watching him from a distance.
Like a weirdo.
Before I could turn away, Rhodes’s attention shifted to me. His eyes lit up the shadows around him as he closed the distance between us, his gaze roaming over me, lingering. I didn’t stop him.
“I don’t think I’ve told you yet how stunningly beautiful you look in that dress,” he said, catching me off guard. Gently, he tucked his fingers under my wavy hair, sliding it over my shoulder. “You are mesmerizing, Scarlet. And not just tonight, but in every way possible.” His voice was soft but deliberate, his eyes darkening as he spoke. There was something he was holding back, a storm in his gaze that hadn’t fully broken.
I found myself lost in his stormy eyes, and before I could stop myself, I perched on my tiptoes, perching my hands on his chest and leaning in to whisper something in his ear. The scent of cashmere sandalwood and vanilla wrapped around me, stirring something deep in my core. An intangible shift had formed between us these past few weeks, an undeniable connection. I was letting my guard down with him—little by little—but my heart? That is beyond my control.
He chuckled as I whispered my idea in his ear. His laughter was genuine, filling the air as he ran a hand through his dark hair. I lowered myself back onto my feet, watching as he tilted his head at me.
“Always such a thorn in my side,” he teased with a wink. “I’ll meet you there.”
Grinning, I scurried back across the dance floor, weaving through the crowd toward the dais where the musicians were playing. I waved one of the musicians over, whispering my request. With a nod, they began to adjust their instruments, preparing for what was coming next. My heart raced as I made my way to the center of the dance floor, where Rhodes was already waiting, hands in his pockets, watching me with a playful smirk.
The formal waltz came to an abrupt end, and the cadets paused, waiting for the next song. But instead of the expected, elegant melody, a lively tune broke out—the same line dance from the tavern. A hum ofexcitement rippled through the ballroom as Rhodes and I didn’t hesitate for a second, immediately falling into step with the familiar rhythm.
The dance was effortless; our movements synchronized as we stepped side-by-side until the rotation spun me in front of him. The crowd parted, creating a circle around us, and I could feel their attention shift entirely onto us. My friends made their way to the front of the crowd, curious smiles on their faces as they realized what was happening. I waved them over, giving Laney quick instructions while Rhodes guided Cleo and Tatum.
Within moments, we were all moving together. Cheers and whistles erupted from the surrounding cadets, clapping in rhythm as they joined in. The energy of the ballroom shifted, turning vibrant and electric as nearly everyone on the floor participated. It was contagious—the music, the laughter, the carefree spirit of the night.
As we danced, I glanced around and noticed Pehper standing on the sidelines, arms crossed, her face twisted in displeasure. A quick scan of the dance floor revealed her usual group—her “spices,” as I called them—abandoning her to join in the fun. They were laughing and cheering, completely caught up in the energy, while she fumed alone.
I couldn’t help but smirk. I caught Rhodes’s eye, and he gave me a knowing look. This wasn’t just a dance—it was a declaration of sorts, a way of showing Pehper and everyone else that I would not be sidelined anymore. Not tonight. Not ever.
As the final note of the song echoed through the ballroom, Rhodes swooped me into his arms, lifting me high above the crowd with ease. We spun together, the world blurring around us, and for a moment, it was as if the rest of the room had disappeared. When he brought me back down, our chests collided with every breath we took, his heartbeat thrumming in sync with mine.
Despite the noise of the cheering crowd and the vibrant energy around us, all I could see was him. His stormy eyes met mine, and everything else faded into the background.
“Meet me on the rooftop in twenty?” he asked, his voice low but clear against the noise.
My lips parted, the adrenaline still rushing through me, and I couldn’t help but grin. I nodded, unable to speak, the excitement thrumming through my veins. Rhodes lingered for a moment longer, his hands still wrapped around mine as if he were reluctant to let go.
But slowly, he stepped back, his fingers sliding away from mine, and I watched as he disappeared into the crowd.
Being a responsible friend, I let my roommates know where I was headed so they wouldn’t worry. The cool air in the hallways felt refreshing against my flushed skin, a welcome contrast after the heat of the ballroom. I didn’t make any detours, except for one—to kick off my heels. I carried them in my hands as I hurried up the stairs, excitement building with every step.
When I reached the rooftop, I carefully pushed open the door, hoping I hadn’t miscalculated my timing with Rhodes. The space was quiet, and he wasn’t perched on the parapet like I half-expected. I stepped forward, my bare feet silent on the cool stone, and took in the surroundings.
That was when my heart skipped an actual beat.
Dozens of tiny flames floated in the air, suspended as if they had been plucked from candles and scattered around the rooftop. Warm, golden light flickered gently in the breeze and cast a soft glow on everything, including Rhodes. He stood before me with his hands clasped behind his back. The flickering light contrasted against his eyes, making them glow brighter than ever.
I gathered the hem of my gown in my hands, lifting it slightly as I made my way to him, feeling the weight of the moment pressing downon me. My heart was racing from the sight of him standing there in his suit, the beauty of the scene he created, and the power of the moment.
“What is this?” I whispered, letting Rhodes tower over me.
“This is me fighting for the girl.”
