LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
IrisThis 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 t
“You’re always spoiling me with these nice dresses,” I muse as I slip into the gown.My mother grins as she laces up the back. When it’s cinched in like that, especially with the voluminous skirt, it makes my waist look slender and perfectly curved.“I’ve got to make up for lost time. But… something
Iris“Hold still. I don’t want to burn you.”I make a face at my reflection in the vanity mirror but obey my mother’s command, stilling my fidgeting hands in my lap. We’re in my bedroom at my parents’ house, which has been transformed into a styling headquarters for the day.“Are you sure about this
I look up sharply. “Leaving?”“She’s going away. A year-long residency in Bo’Arrocan. She accepted it specifically to remove herself from the equation.”I sit back in my chair, processing. Veronica is voluntarily stepping aside? Removing herself from the country so Arthur and I can live in peace? It







