I slid Valkaryn into the sheath at my waist and stepped into the bathroom to wash my hands and face.
I wasn’t going to put a bow on a Dreg rat and play as an Elite. I was who I was, and I didn’t want to stoopto their customs. The dresses in the closet waiting for me probably cost more than my yearly wages. Frankly, it disgusted me.
After I was clean, I met Cassian in the hallway. He was wearing a dark gray silk tunic with golden thread and looked very handsome.
I gave him a soft smile. “You look a lot like your brother.”
Sadness crossed over his features, but he nodded. “We got that a lot in school.”
The door opened beside me, and I turned, facing Kaelric, and it felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest.
He wore an emerald-green silk tunic that matched the color of his eyes, and over that were black leather shoulder spaulders with armguards. On his hip were two golden daggers that hung from black leather pants. He looked like an Elite warrior, and I had to steady my breathing.
Cassian opened the front door of our dorm. A few other trial initiates were lingering in the hallway, casting glances inside the apartment at Kaelric.
“Have we set up extra protection for the night? I am the best warrior here, but I do need sleep,” Kaelric told Cassian as he caught the initiates’ glares and held them. They lowered their gazes and walked away.
I scoffed at “bestwarrior here”.
Cassian blanched a little. “Protection at Aerlyn Academy? Against whom?”
Aerlyn Academy was impenetrable from outside attack, including being magically warded.
Kaelric looked at Cassian like he was a small boy, when in reality, there were only a few years between them.
“Every initiate in this building wants her dead and to carry that sword on their hip.” Kaelric pointed to Valkaryn. “I overheard one of them wondering if he carved the sponsor mark from her chest, if she could still compete.”
My eyes bugged at that; my hand came up to rub the spot on my chest. I thought he was being overly dramatic, but the glares from other initiates passing by in their best regal attire told me he might not be.
Cassian swallowed hard as if he hadn’t considered that. “I can do it. I can take the night shift.”
I frowned. “The House of Draven heir? Surely you have a guard who can do it for you?”
Cassian met my gaze. “None that I trust.”
Oh. That was really sweet.
Kaelric slapped him on the back as he passed. “It’s settled, then.”
And with that, we went to a ball for a trial I was never supposed to be in with the most egotistical man I’d ever met.
Chapter Seven
I’d never seen so much food in my entire life: fruits, pastries, glazed chicken on the bone, shredded pork with a dark brown sauce, whipped potatoes, herb salads in two different flavors, candied nuts, and chocolate! It was like a wedding for a king.
“How much does it cost?” I whispered to Cassian. He had become my confidant, answering all of my questions with patience.
“What?” he asked.
I gestured to the large buffet table where people were making their plates.
“Oh, the food is free. My family is hosting the ball. Please help yourself.”
Free!
I stepped forward, getting in line, feeling mymouth water to the point of having to swallow. The last time I’d eaten was last night, after getting in late with the food I’d gotten from the trash can. I hadn’t felt hunger this morning, but now I did.
People glanced my way, whispering and pointing as I waited in line. I made sure to stare them down when they did. Then I felt a presence at my back and turned to see Kaelric, one hand on his dagger.
