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"He'll survive."

"That isn't what I meant."

He nods. "I know." Then drinks. No false humility. No bragging. Simple acceptance.

I look toward the pit. "You were less violent than I expected."

His eyebrow lifts. "I was polite."

"You call that polite?"

"I didn't burn anyone."

"High standards."

"They're working for me."

I laugh. Rhyven's gaze shifts briefly toward my face. Not lingering. Not warm. Simply noticing. Then he looks back toward the room.

"You passed the Trial." He changes the subject quickly.

"So did many people." I answer.

"Not the way you did."

I turn slightly. "You read the entire report?" I ask. "No."

"You seem unusually informed for someone who claims not to care."

"I never claimed that."

The answer catches me. Before I can ask what he means, Dax shouts from across the room.

"Corvell!"

Rhyven closes his eyes. "What?"

"You owe me a drink."

Rhyven pushes away from the bar. As he leaves, he glances toward my glass. "Drink slower."

I frown. "Why?" I ask.

"Because Bram lies about what's in those."

Old Bram points at him. "Get out of my bar."

Rhyven keeps walking. "Still underground, Bram."

I look at the drink. Then take a smaller sip.

The night stretches. Music grows louder. Students dance. Someone pulls Nyra into a circle near the stage. She protests for approximately six seconds before joining. Cassian plays cards badly on purpose because a nervous first-year keeps losing. Selena wins more money. Aricia finishes carving a cup and gives it to Rowan after making her swear not to gamble it.

Caelen finds me near the fighting pit. "You're having fun." He says.

"That sounds accusatory." I laugh.

"I'm surprised."