“You know the Evertines are a tight-knit clan,” she said. “They are quite the dynasty in The Realm.”
I moved past her.
“But it is the other side of Blake’s family that is most interesting.”
I stopped. The corridor was empty now, and irritation was prickling under my skin.
“What are you talking about?” I spat.
“Oh, did he not tell you?” she said. “There’s a reason Professor Elara was beside herself to have him audition for Aryus—he is his direct descendant, and the Crown Prince of Raven Falls.”
Chapter 30
I Didn’t Agree to This, Did I?
ANNA
Iwaited up for Roslyn to come back to the dorm.
She didn’t look surprised when she found me in her dorm. She shut the door behind her and threw her cloak over a chair.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
She plopped down next to me.
“No,” she said.
I pressed my lips together as I caught her eye.
She sighed exaggeratedly. “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”
I could relate to that.
“Ezreal has been in my life for some time,” she said. “I’ve gotten so used to hiding it; it’s like I’m living two lives.”
I slowly turned to her.
Now that I couldn’t relate to.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Roslyn stood, the hi-low rise of her dress fluttering around her as she moved to the window. She was regal as she lookedout the window, her red curls in perfectly messy coils. Her laced corset over the dress’s off-shoulder and flared sleeves made her look like some warrior princess. Her life was already different from mine, from what I could see, and I couldn’t imagine what her life was like in the Realm. Her stature was strong and resilient, as if she’d borne the weight of the world once and survived it and yet, I could sense darkness in her heart. I don’t know how, but it was there, calling to me like a caged animal.
Her gaze shattered my thoughts when she finally addressed my question.
“I’ve known Ezreal since I was a girl. As I’ve gotten older, it’s become clear we don’t agree on everything. It’s caused tension of late,” she said, turning to me with a fresh smile glowing across her face. “But forget that. I had a feeling you and Blake were an item but I had no idea how intense it was! There was such energy in the theater tonight!”
I looked away, embarrassed, unsure how to put my feelings for Blake into words.
“It was all pretty sudden,” I muttered.
“Well,” she said, crossing the room to organize the items on her vanity. “I can tell he is smitten with you. And that is not a trait from the Blake that I know. It is refreshing to see.”
“Roslyn,” I asked, my voice hushed. “Why are the Aurkai here? Why go to all of this trouble to train new mages from this world?”
She cast a curious glance as she folded some of her clothes. “That’s a complicated question. Have you learned the theory that mages once crossed into this world long ago yet?”
I nodded. “Yes, or possibly humans crossed into your world. Either way, at some point mages returned to this world vastly different from humans. Those same genetics lie dormant in some humans from ancestral lines of mages who have crossed into this world over time. Commander Everson said, ‘It isNightfall’s mission to awaken and teach those they determine are safely capable,’ but I don’t understand why. The Aurkai are more powerful than any Adept here will ever be. What exactly are you looking for? It’s quite the operation to train up some mediocre mages. Especially for a Prince.”
