Chapter 39: The Jewel of Saint Valley
(Lyra's POV)
My room looked like a boutique explosion had gone off in it. Dresses draped over chairs, lip gloss tubes scattered across the desk, perfume bottles shining like glass stars.
I'd been awake since dawn — not because I needed to be, but because my nerves refused to let me sleep. Prom day.
The day everyone had been waiting for.
The day Evan Lucius Vale would be showing up at my door.
My fingers shook as I smoothed down the silver-blue satin of my dress — the same one from the boutique. Soraya said it made me look "ethereal." My mom said it made me look like "a dream come true."
I said it made me feel like I might actually faint.
"Lyra! Honey, he'll be here soon!" my mom called from downstairs, her voice full of energy.
She'd been fussing since morning — curling my hair, adjusting the delicate silver necklace Evan had given me for my birthday, dabbing a little blush onto my cheeks.
"You look so grown up," she said softly, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face. Her eyes shone — proud, emotional. "Your dad would've…" she paused, swallowing hard, then smiled. "He would've been so proud too."
That made my throat sting. "Thanks, Mom."
Then — knock, knock.
Oh no.
Mom squealed before I even moved. "That must be him!"
I froze halfway to the door, every nerve in my body lighting up.
And then — he stepped in.
Evan Lucius Vale. In a perfectly tailored black tux, his hair styled slightly messy, golden strands falling across his forehead. He looked… breathtaking. There was a small silver pin on his lapel — a crescent moon. Matching my necklace.
His eyes widened when he saw me. "Wow."
My heart stuttered. "Hi."
"Hi," he said, a little breathless. "You look…" He shook his head, almost laughing. "You look unreal, Sol."
Before I could answer, Mom appeared with her phone. "Wait! Wait! You're not going anywhere without pictures!"
"Mom—"
"Smile!" Click. Click. Click.
Evan, somehow completely composed, grinned at the camera. I, on the other hand, looked like I was surviving an emotional crisis in heels.
After fifteen photos and two "just one more's," we finally escaped.
Outside, a sleek black limo waited by the curb. The rest of the group was already inside — Soraya in a shimmering gold gown, Saphira in deep crimson, Aveline stunning in dark green with Cassian beside her, of course.
The car erupted in cheers the second they saw us.
"Finally!" Soraya exclaimed. "The stars of the night arrive!"
I turned bright red. "You guys are insane."
Saphira grinned. "Insanely supportive."
Cassian smirked. "Evan, you clean up nice. Lyra, you look like Saint Valley's newest goddess."
"Cassian," Aveline warned, elbowing him.
He laughed. "What? Everyone's thinking it."
Evan slid an arm casually around my shoulders. "You're not wrong."
I shot him a look, trying not to melt. "You're full of yourself."
"Only when it's about you."
Everyone groaned. "Get a room," Soraya muttered.
The drive to school was loud and full of laughter — music blasting, jokes flying, Cassian mock-arguing with Aveline about who looked better in formalwear.
But then, as we neared the school gymnasium, my heart started to pound. The entire place was glowing. Twinkling lights, chandeliers, and a red carpet leading to the entrance.
Saint Valley High had transformed.
And as we stepped out of the limo, cameras flashed, the crowd whispering. I heard my name — my name — being said everywhere.
"That's Lyra."
"She's the Jewel."
"The Jewel of the freshman class."
I blinked. "The… what?"
Soraya smiled knowingly. "Every year, one person is voted the grade's 'Jewel.' It's like a tradition. Last year it was Elara Harper — that designer everyone freaked out about? Yeah. And this year…" She pointed at me. "…It's you."
I almost tripped on my heels. "Me?"
Saphira laughed. "You earned it. You survived Saint Valley, Evan's temper, and Cassian's sarcasm."
Cassian threw his hand to his heart. "Rude."
Evan looked at me, his grin soft. "You really are the Jewel, Sol."
I didn't know what to say, so I looked down, hoping my blush didn't show.
Inside, the music was loud, the floor glittering under golden lights. Everyone looked like they'd stepped straight out of a dream.
We danced, laughed, posed for pictures. Soraya dragged us to the photo booth. Saphira taught me a ridiculous dance move. Cassian and Aveline argued over song choices but ended up slow dancing anyway.
And Evan — Evan stayed close. Always close. His hand brushed against mine whenever I reached for my drink. He leaned in to say something, and his breath touched my ear.
"You nervous?"
"A little," I admitted.
He smiled. "You're doing great. I mean, you're glowing. Literally."
I rolled my eyes, but he was right — I'd never felt this alive.
Dinner came and went — laughter echoing across the long tables, a blur of fancy dishes and sugary desserts. Someone started a conga line. Cassian joined. Chaos followed.
Then, when the music shifted to something slower, Evan held out his hand.
"Dance with me?"
My stomach flipped. "You sure?"
"Positive."
We stepped onto the floor, the lights dimming to soft gold. His hand found my waist, my other hand in his.
"You know," he said quietly, "I used to think prom was overrated."
"Yeah?"
He smiled, gaze locked on mine. "Then you showed up."
My throat tightened. "You're unbelievable."
"Only when I'm right."
We swayed in silence after that, just the music and the sound of my heart. His fingers brushed over my necklace — the one he'd given me — like it was something sacred.
I didn't know what tomorrow would bring. But right now — under those lights, surrounded by laughter and music — I knew one thing for sure:
Evan Lucius Vale had already stolen my heart.
And he wasn't planning to give it back.