Chapter 179

Iris

This Solstice event is far more extravagant than the public ones I attended as a child. It’s held at the estate of some wealthy Ordan family or another, overlooking the city far below the hill the mansion is positioned on. Rows upon rows of expensive sports cars line the pebbled driveway, and there’s a steady stream of attendees making their way into the building.

Arthur keeps his hand at the small of my back as we make our entrance, guiding me through the throng of Ordan’s elite. I can feel eyes on us, hear the whispers as we pass. The Alpha President and his controversial mate, appearing in public together despite the rumors of trouble in paradise.

It stings, but I hold my head high, just as my mother advised, and force a smile.

“You look breathtaking,” Arthur murmurs, leaning close so only I can hear. “Everyone’s staring at you, not us.”

“I highly doubt that,” I reply bitterly, but I can’t help the small thrill that courses through me at his words. The dress was a good choice, and judging by how Arthur’s eyes haven’t left me since he first saw me descending the stairs at my parents’ house, he agrees.

We make our way toward the main banquet hall of the estate, where the official ceremony will take place later. For now, it serves as the hub of the charity portion of the evening. Tables line the perimeter, each representing a different organization.

Arthur stops at the first table. “This is the one I wanted to show you.”

The banner above the table reads “Special Education for Extraordinary Children.” Pamphlets show smiling children of various ages engaged in different activities—art, music, sports, all adapted for children with various special needs. A framed mission statement explains that the organization specifically focuses on neurodivergent children, including those on the autism spectrum.

Like Miles.

I leaf through one of the pamphlets, my eyebrows lifting the more I read. This sort of thing could seriously benefit children all across Ordan.

Recalling Giulia’s words, I reach for the donation form. Arthur watches with a small smile as I fill it out, stipulating that my contribution remain anonymous.

We continue our circuit of the pavilion, stopping to greet various dignitaries and socialites. I’m surprised by how many people seem genuinely pleased to see me, offering warm smiles and kind words rather than the cold shoulders I expected after the recent scandals.

Perhaps Arthur was right. Perhaps one last public appearance together really is what we needed to salvage my reputation—and our relationship.

The thought has barely formed when I feel Arthur stiffen beside me. His hand tightens on my waist, and I follow his gaze across the pavilion to see a familiar figure in a crimson gown.

Veronica.

“I thought you said she was leaving for Bo’Arrocan,” I hiss.

“She is,” Arthur mutters, looking just as surprised as I feel. “Just… not yet, apparently.”

Veronica spots us before we can decide whether to approach or avoid her. Her face lights up with a smile, and she makes her way through the crowd toward us.

“Iris! Arthur!” she calls, drawing the attention of several nearby guests. “You both look wonderful!”

I plaster on a smile, bracing myself; our last interaction wasn’t… ideal. But to my surprise, Veronica pulls me into a hug as soon as she reaches us.

“I’m so glad I caught you both before I left,” she says, pulling back to hold me at arm’s length. “That dress is stunning on you, Iris.”

“I… Uh… Thank you,” I manage, then immediately cringe at my stammering. “I thought you were leaving for Bo’Arrocan.”

“In a couple of days,” she explains. “I had to stay here to attend the Solstice events. Image and all that.”

“Right.” Glancing over, I notice Arthur subtly lift his arm, his hand covering his nose and mouth for a moment. He’s blocking out her scent, I realize. He’s trying not to be affected by her scent.

“Iris,” Veronica suddenly says, taking my hands in hers. Her gray eyes meet mine with what at least appears to be genuine sincerity, although I’m still wary. “I wanted to apologize again for the trouble with the earrings. I had no idea they were blood diamonds, I swear it. The jeweler who sold them to me has been exposed as a fraud. He’s being prosecuted now.”

I search her face for signs of deception, but find none. Either she’s telling the truth, or she’s an even better actress than I initially thought.

“It’s alright,” I find myself saying, even though I’m not entirely sure if I believe it. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Still, I feel terrible about it. The last thing I wanted was to cause problems for you.” She glances at Arthur, then back to me. “For either of you.”

Arthur lowers his hand from his face and clears his throat. “We appreciate that, Veronica. And we wish you well in Bo’Arrocan.”

She beams, seemingly oblivious to his stiff demeanor—or perhaps just choosing to ignore it. “It’s a wonderful opportunity. A whole year at the Bayside Music Academy! I’ll be teaching master classes and performing twice a month.”

“That sounds perfect for you,” I say, and I do mean it, even if it’s for selfish reasons. The further away she is, the better for us.

“It is,” she agrees. Her eyes meet mine once more, and there’s a flash in them—whatever it is, it sets me off. I can’t quite put my finger on it, though. Does she know how badly I just want her to leave? How horrendously I want to never see her face again?

Finally, she nods and takes a step away. “A fresh start, that’s what I need. I should mingle a bit more before the ceremony starts. But I’m glad to have had a chance to speak with you, Iris. I wish you all the best.”

And with that, she gives us both a radiant smile, then slithers back into the crowd. I watch her go, still not entirely sure what to make of all that—or whether I should believe a word out of her mouth.

Just then, the traditional drums begin to beat, signaling the start of the ceremony. We make our way to the seats reserved for us in the front row, joining the other dignitaries.

The ceremony itself is beautiful—priests and priestesses in traditional robes reciting prayers for a merciful winter, dancers dressed in glittering gowns and beads. As night falls fully, the final flame is lit. It’s a massive fire in a large brazier that will burn until morning.

With the official portion complete, the celebration shifts into a regular party. A band begins to play, and couples begin to fill the dance floor.

Arthur stands, offering me his hand. “Shall we?”

I take it and allow him to lead me to the dance floor. The heat from the bonfire warms one side of my face as Arthur pulls me close, one hand on my waist, the other holding mine.

“I know we have a lot to work through,” he says as we sway to the music. “But tonight… tonight has been magical, hasn’t it?”

I have to admit it has been. The ceremony. The clear, starry night sky above us. The crackling fire. Arthur looking at me like I’m the only woman in the world. It all reminds me of why I fell in love with him in the first place.

“Yes,” I admit. “It has.”

His face breaks into a relieved smile, and he spins me gently before pulling me back against him. “I was afraid you’d still be too angry to enjoy yourself.”

“I was,” I confess. “But you know I can’t stay mad at you for long, no matter how much I want to.”

“Good,” Arthur murmurs. “Because I’ve missed you. These past few days without you and Miles have been torture.”

I rest my head against his chest, allowing myself to relax a little. The steady beat of his heart beneath my ear is familiar and comforting. Maybe I have been overreacting. Maybe we can work through this mate bond complication, especially with Veronica out of the country.

Arthur’s steps falter suddenly. “Iris, your necklace…”

I pull back, my hand flying to my throat. The sapphire necklace is still there, but when I look down, I see what caught Arthur’s attention. One of the smaller stones is missing from its setting, leaving an empty metal claw.

“Oh no,” I gasp. “It must have fallen out somewhere.” Nora’s family heirloom, damaged on the very first night I wore it. “We have to find it.”

“We will,” Arthur assures me, already signaling to Ezra, who materializes at his side in seconds. “Ezra, Iris has lost a sapphire from her necklace. Small, deep blue, likely somewhere between the entrance and here. Find it.”

Ezra nods and disappears into the crowd.

“Don’t worry,” Arthur says. “If anyone can find it, Ezra can.”

I nod, but I feel awful. That necklace clearly meant something special to Nora, and I’ve already damaged it. Just my luck.

While we wait for Ezra, Arthur and I pick our way to the bar for a drink—all the while scanning the ground for the sapphire. I’m just taking a sip of my cocktail when a commotion breaks out near the dance floor. People are shouting.

“What’s happening?” I ask, standing on tiptoe to see over the crowd.

Arthur, taller than most, peers over the heads of the gathered guests. “Someone’s collapsed,” he says. “I can’t see who—”

A scream cuts through the air. “Help! She’s not breathing!”

Arthur and I exchange a glance before pushing our way through the throng. Security guards are already forming a perimeter, keeping the curious at bay while someone—a doctor, I assume—kneels beside the fallen figure.

I catch a glimpse of crimson fabric, honey-blonde hair splayed across the stone pavement. My stomach drops.

It’s Veronica. She’s lying motionless, her face ashen, and her eyes closed.

“She’s been poisoned,” the doctor says, lifting up an empty cocktail glass with sapphire blue residue inside.