“The training you receive this year may be the training that one day saves your life, or the life of others, because unless we can fix the veil, it will continue to falter, and they will notice.”At least Trysten speaks the truth.
I relax the tension in my shoulders, thinking about what I will face as Queen. Will I be responsible for deciding where troops are sent?Whose life means more than another? I cannot even begin to think about making that final call. The oldest history tomes in our archives recount great wars that claimed the lives of trillions of people five hundred years after creation. Other systems have known war their whole lives, but our generation sees for the first time the real possibility of death and destruction on that scale.
My hand shoots up before I can think. “Yes, Raea?” Trysten asks. I’m glad he doesn’t call me princess; at school, we are all equal in a way.
“Do you know if the veil vanishing for those five minutes affected hyperjump capabilities?” Trysten looks at Anders.
Anders locks eyes with me, his attention pulling at me as he speaks. “As of right now, my knowledge is as limited as yours. I plan to rectify that once we finish here. Any more questions, or can we move on?”
How can I despise one man so much while being so undeniably pulled to him?
three
. . .
It’s late afternoon,and my new black boots crunch on the gravel as I cross campus coming back early from my visit with the healers. Despite the grumpy healer, Agneta, and her typical dismissal of my pain, the healing tonic she gave me helped, and I’m determined to not let it ruin my day. My new boots are already leaving blisters—I need to break them in. Their sturdy, chunky soles add two welcome inches to my height for Executive combat training.
I skip across the wards into the dorm yard noticing the initial chaos of students has dissipated as everyone settles in for the first night. A surge of energy propels me forward, up the steps to my room.
Inside, the palatial space welcomes me home for the next two years. I take it all in: two grand beds draped in soft, neutral-colored linens, mirroring identical sleeping arrangements. Luxurious tufted headboards stretch up the wall, from which rich, velvety drapes cascade, offering privacy. The beds are adorned with cozy blankets, plush throw pillows, and sumptuous furs.
The washroom is a sanctuary. A soaking tub sits in the far corner beneath a floor-to-ceiling window, perfect for late-night stargazing. To the right, a spacious shower gleams; to my left, a deep wash basinanchors a wide counter. Though dimmable, the already lit candles cast a warm, welcoming glow throughout the space.
The spacious living area feels like a continuation of the forest outside, with soft furnishings, mood lighting, and lush potted plants adorning the space. It opens onto a private terrace draped in lush greenery, featuring thick rugs and comfortable seating. I spread my arms wide, leaning against the balustrade, inhaling the fresh scent of the forest. This back-corner room offers a level of privacy rarely afforded to princesses.
Not long after, Kellan knocks on my door, a lopsided grin on his face. He whistles low when he enters my room. I smack him playfully, leading him to the seating area where we spend the next hour reviewing our schedules. I hate that we don’t have a single class together. It’s only day one, and already I know I won’t see him as much. I attempt to convince him to join the running club, despite his hatred for it, hoping for more time together. He gives me his standard eye roll, clearly convinced I’m being ridiculous. He has plans to join the robotics club. The afternoon fades into evening as we talk about nothing and laugh about everything.
When he finally leaves, it’s time for dinner, and I can’t help but frown that Aolyn still isn’t here.
The dining hall is full of students at their assigned dorm tables. Sky Division’s section is distinguished by rows of blue chairs adorned with Taeolyn’s crest. I look around the room, finding all our divisions sitting together as ordered. Across the hall, I spot the other dorms.
Veker’s chairs are made of a black velvet with a green ‘V’ in a honeycomb shape embroidered into the back, and Bragr with its orange and ivory crest on its chairs—a fading B with an armor helmet sitting on top. This is the only place where all three dorms mingle.
The other two dorms don’t appear to be separated into divisions,but maybe that’s just a Taeolyn thing—or an Anders thing.Gah, he’s annoying.
The dining hall is an expansive space designed to comfortably accommodate more than two hundred Executive students. Rich wooden tables are strategically arranged throughout the hall, accompanied by elegant high-backed velvet chairs. The grand hearth at the opposite end of the room, the soft glow of the chandeliers, and the flickering candlelight combine to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Despite our advanced technology, many areas in the system still rely on candlelight for lighting and fireplaces for warmth. Our system once experienced a period of rapid technological advancement, but progress has since stalled. Some attribute this stagnation to the veil, while others believe it coincides with the disappearance of Astor and Calia.
The floors are made of dark wood, similar to those in the administration building, with rugs scattered throughout to create a cozier atmosphere and dampen noise levels. Both sides of the dining hall feature a variety of food stations. The diverse selection is prepared and arranged on individual trays adorned with fine china. According to the welcome guide, we rotate through specialties from different kingdoms on a weekly basis.
Dinner is also the only time of day when we are expected to dress as the royalty we are. I am wearing a soft pink gown adorned with shimmering Watteau trains trailing from my shoulders. I’ve paired it with a gold diadem and a rose-quartz lariat.
I find a seat with some other junior Sky Division students I recognize: Jakob, Ember, Britta, and Kristien. Tate joins me, finding a seat to my right, and introduces himself to the others.
He spends the full dinner hour telling jokes, and Britta fills us in on gossip from Sagchyl, a planet in the Ateria kingdom. Apparently, there are rumors that Prince Boyce is visiting brothels and still refusing to Bond, despite the duchess he should be Bonded to being sick all the time. The healers claim it’s because she’s unBonded. I can’t help but feel a little sympathy for her. Also, King Alexi hasn’tbeen seen for several months, and Queen Sava has been filling in. I’ll have to ask Aolyn how everything is going. If her father is sick or something, maybe I can reach out to Albin, one of our healers on Kyrr. He’s one of the best and strongest there is.
When our plates are cleared, Kellan finds me and asks if I want to head to the bridge with him. I nod and take his hand, standing while I say my goodbyes. As we approach the door, Kellan realizes he left his Prism at the table and rushes off to get it.
I pause at the door, taking in the room and students lost in conversation, and I smile softly. It’s been a good first day. Classes begin tomorrow, and I’m ready to return to a routine. Idleness has never been something I enjoy.
“Princess,” Anders’ deep, velvety voice purrs before I feel a calloused palm brush against my lower back, sending a shockwave through my system. I turn and find his eyes filled with surprise. Shock renders me speechless as we both gaze into each other’s eyes for a few heartbeats, while a strange energy buzzes between us. My skin feels warm and tingly beneath his palm.
By the fourth heartbeat, my breath hitches slightly as I watch his eyes, which are more silver than sapphire, swirling again like a brewing storm. I don’t remember them being like this earlier.It’s probably just the lighting. His fingers press a little more into my skin, bringing me a step closer.
The way he looks at me…it’s strange. I almost think he feels the same sort of energy.
Kellan clears his throat, grasping my hand and snapping me out of whatever spell I’ve been under. The room rushes in, surrounding all my senses at once, making my head spin.
