Ember Frost’s POV

The moment Dad lifted my punishment, right on graduation day of all days, I felt like the universe finally decided to allow me a break.

He made it very clear it was only for today, though. Whether I’d still serve the rest of my grounding depended entirely on how I behaved during the ceremony.

I was so excited I didn’t sleep a wink. Neither did Eira. Both of us were already wide awake by three in the morning, dressing up like it was the most important night of our ...