"Very funny." He tossed a balled-up sock at me, which I caught and dropped into his laundry bag. "Some of us had to learn practical skills instead of having servants do everything."
"You had servants too, so don't pretend like you grew up in poverty."
"My parents had servants. I didn't. I had to fold my own laundry."
I rolled my eyes. "Such hardship."
"You're nervous," he observed, pausing his folding. "I don't think I've ever seen you nervous about a woman before."
"I'm not nervous," I lied, busying myself with organizing my textbooks on the desk.
"Right." Codric snorted. "It's just amusing to watch the great Prince Alar, who's had most of the eligible noblewomen in Vedona throwing themselves at him since puberty, nervous around a simple girl who grew up in an Elucian mountain village."
"There is nothing simple about Kailin," I said sharply. "And those noblewomen were interested in my title, not me."
Codric's expression softened. "I know." He sat on the edge of his bed, regarding me with uncharacteristic seriousness. "She's the real deal for you, isn't she?"
There were so many things I could say about Kailin and what made her special, but I just nodded.
Thankfully, Codric let it go and didn't bother me with more questions.
I spent the next hour or so trying to prepare for the next day's classes, but I had a hard time concentrating. Reviewing notes was futile because I didn't absorb anything I was reading, but I managed to complete two assignments. They were not going to be any good, but at least I wouldn't be late submitting them.
At half past seven, Codric gathered his shower supplies. "You have half an hour to leave," he announced, then, with a mock salute, he departed, closing the door behind him.
Growing restless, I collected my books and my bathroom supplies, stuffed them in a backpack, and headed to the lounge, which was probably clearing up by now.
There were still a few people there, watching a show. I chose a corner in the back of the room and opened a book, but I wasn't reading. Instead, I was thinking about contacting my father and arranging for a donation to the academy.
Would Saphir allow me to call home?
That wasn't likely. I would need to send a letter to one of my father's trusted friends, like we'd agreed on.
By now, my father must have realized that my plan had worked because I hadn't made contact with him, but a letter confirming that would ease his mind. I had no doubt that all correspondence leaving the Citadel was scrutinized, but just describing the accommodation would be a good enough hint.
Time moved faster as I made my plans, and precisely at eight o'clock, I rose to my feet, put the book back in my backpack, and headed down the corridor to Kailin and Shovia's room.
As I rapped my fingers softly on the door, it opened almost immediately, and the sight of Kailin knocked the breath out of my lungs. She'd changed from her uniform into simple sleep clothes, pairing the loose, academy-issued pajama pants with a civilian long-sleeved shirt. Her hair was down, with golden strands cascading down her front and back in soft waves.
"Hi," she said, suddenly looking as nervous as I felt.
"Hi," I replied with the same single syllable, eloquence deserting me entirely.
"Please, come in." She opened the door wider.
The scent of soap and something distinctly hers enveloped me as I stepped inside.
She closed the door and gestured to the room, which was very neat, no doubt thanks to Kailin. "Welcome to my palace, Prince Alar."
I chuckled. "Just Alar. Otherwise, you might inadvertently call me prince when others are within earshot."
She shrugged. "They will assume that's a term of endearment. Remember what I told you about the first time I saw you? I called you The Prince in my head."
"Then I didn't do a very good job hiding my identity." I took in the details: the small sketches pinned to the wall above her desk that were undoubtedly her work, the carefully stacked books, the single personal photograph of her family, including her tiny dog.
It was an old photograph, and Kailin looked much younger and less guarded, her arm wrapped around her brother's middle and her head resting on his arm. "Was this taken before the attack?" I asked.
She turned to look at the photo. "The same day. Our neighbor took the picture as my brother and my parents were getting ready to leave for Skywatcher's Point."
