Page 9

There’s a note on attire being of our choice, as long as we wear our designated cloak when moving around campus, and gym wear for any sporting classes. I can’t help but scoff at the fact that they made a damn point in the letter, stating they wanted to help merge the origins together, yet they’ve added another factor into the mix that only helps distinguish who is who.

Fae are to wear gray.

Vampires - red.

Wolves - green.

Mages - purple.

Shifters - blue.

Humans - cream.

Shaking my head, I continue on, coming across my class schedule next, and my eyes widen in surprise when I note every class is mixed with other origins. At least they’re attempting it somehow, but they’re still creating unnecessary status symbols based on our cloaks.

The timetable is a bit of a blur, the information not really important to me right now, and I find myself losing interest quickly. Looking around the room, I know I need to change something up so I can get my head back on straight. I’m useless if I’m zoning in and out.

I can’t just sit around here waiting for everything to fall into my lap. If I want to survive this place and come away with the crown, then I can’t stop moving. Maybe right now, that means focusing on something else outside of these four walls first. Then I can return and tear my schedule apart in preparation for tomorrow.

Nodding to myself, I leave the folder open on my bed and stand, rolling my neck as I consider my clothes. Technically, the attire set by The Council begins tomorrow, along with classes, so for today, I can wear what I please.

I consider my boned waistcoat, heavy against my body from the weapons. To wear it or to leave it?

My gut twists as I reach for the top button, pausing me in my tracks.

I follow my gut. Always. Now is not the time to make exceptions.

So I grab my black cloak, drape it over my shoulders, and head out to see what awaits me inside the walls of Heir Academy.

SIX

ADDI

Exploring the grounds in my full gear seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that I see the expanse of it, I almost wish I hadn’t. I can already tell I’m going to be out here running laps in my spare time, working on my stamina while taking in the impressive space.

Being draped in my black cloak, however, makes that impossible for right now. It does serve its purpose of concealing my weapons, though. And I should probably train with it on instead of creating a mental blocker in my mind. Although, I just want to get familiar with my surroundings before I start putting myself through tougher paces.

Quaint little patches of grass are scattered everywhere, picnic benches dotted throughout, with winding pathways and treelines that make the place feel far more whimsical in comparison to the academy building.

I wish Nora could see it. She would love it. I can picture her curled up on a picnic blanket under the large oak tree to my left, a book in hand, a bag of grapes at her side, and a wistful smile on her face. She would preen over the sounds of the birds tweeting in the distance, like it’s cute or something, while I stood guard, watching anyone and everything that may near.

My heart aches at the thought of being away from her, my father too, but Nora and me? We’re inseparable. Or we were, until now. I’ve never spent a day without her, and as much as it pains me, it won’t be forever, and it will be for the greater good.

With that in mind, I add it to the ever-growing list of positives to fuel me.

As I round a bend in the path, reaching the crest of the hill that leads back down to the lush grounds of the academy, a turret in the far distance catches my attention, rooting me to the spot.

The walls are worn, but the work has begun to bring it back to its full glory. The once cream exterior is now a mottle of copper and brown, but the stained-glass windows still shimmer in the sunlight, even from here.

Floodborn Castle.

The last to walk those halls no longer remains in control of the kingdom.

King Reagan. The fae king. Tarnished and broken, the fae desperately need a new sense of hope in the kingdom, and I’m going to provide it.

Seeing it standing in the distance, a beacon of fae strength, sends a warmth down my spine that lifts the corner of my mouth. The breeze around my face feels gentler, the air warmer than a moment ago, and the zing that glosses over my skin cements this moment forever in my mind.

That’s where the heir will reign.