SOUL DORM

You don't own me!

***

CHAPTER 48:

LABYRINTH

The moment I saw the crowd in the garden, I realized we weren't just walking to the carnival. Bong explained that the location changed constantly and required special rides to get there.

So, we joined the line.

I watched in quiet awe as souls boarded the carriages. They mimicked horse-drawn ones, but no horses led them—just wheels and magic, floating soundlessly across the path. Each carriage was unique, coated in lilacs and violets, pinks and shimmer, carved with intricate patterns that sparkled under the moonlight.

It was beautiful. Magical, even. And for the millionth time tonight, I thought of Cinderella.

But as the novelty wore off, reality set in.

I was about to be alone.

With Bong.

In one of those tiny carriages.

I hadn't considered that part.

What would I even talk about with him? I barely knew him. Sure, I'd asked him to the carnival—but in my head, it was a group thing. Like the lake nights. Music, friends, collective chaos.

Not this.

Not... a date.

I took deep breaths, trying to hide the growing panic. Bong, meanwhile, looked perfectly at ease. His hand was still resting over mine, which was still awkwardly perched on his arm. I tried to keep up with his small talk, nodding here and there, but I was only half-listening.

I scanned the crowd, hoping to spot someone—anyone—familiar.

No luck.

Instead, they landed on Mars.

He was a few couples ahead with the redhead. She was all over him—touching his arm, his back, his hair—like she couldn't get enough of him. He didn't seem to mind.

When their carriage pulled up, Mars gallantly helped her inside.

So, he could play the perfect gentleman—just not with me, apparently.

I clenched my jaw.

"Must be tough," Bong said, glancing at them too.

"What do you mean?" I asked warily.

He looked at me. "Being soulmates with someone like Mars."

I tried to keep my face neutral, but my eyes betrayed me, darting away.

"Did you know Mars's father is one of the wealthiest men in Italy?" Bong said, his tone too casual to be innocent.

I didn't know—nor was I eager to gossip about Mars with him.

But he wasn't done.

"That spoiled boy's had everything handed to him on a golden platter," he went on, leaning in. "But you? You're a fighter, just like me, mermaid. People like us don't wait around—we claw our way to what we want."

Then he looked at me—too closely.

"He doesn't deserve someone like you. And yet... you seem pretty damn good at putting him in his place."

A chill slid down my spine.

I slipped my hand off his arm and took a step back. Needing space. Needing to think.