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King Oricalis steps forward and offers warm platitudes to the denizens of Arcana Academy and the collection of nobles and citizenry also in attendance.

The cheerful tone of his voice contrasts with the clanking of metal directly behind the initiates: The cozy smell of woodsmoke fills the air like a false sense of security as the fires are stoked for branding irons.

When the king is finished, Kaelis steps forward. Seeing him is an unexpected flood of relief.

“Citizens of Eclipse City, it has been our honor serving you this day—showing you our great Arcanists at work. Now the final event of our All Coins Day celebration will begin. Each student of Arcana Academy can gift an initiate with a coin from their house. Whether they choose to or not is up to them. An initiate can receive more than one coin. But initiates who receive none do not have a place in the academy and will be Marked.” Kaelis steps to the side and motions for the King of Coins.

The ceremony is simple enough. The King of Coins calls the name of one of the initiates, who steps forward.

There might be some notes from the King about which student in the house the coin is from, or what merits the house sees in the initiate.

A coin is bestowed upon the initiate, which symbolizes an opportunity to pledge for the house following the Three of Swords Trials.

Then the initiate returns to the lineup and the next name is called.

The cycle repeats. In total, House Coins gives out ten of the ceremonial tokens, four more than the six slots available for that house.

Next is Wands. I realize they’re likely going from the houses with the most openings to the least. Wands also decides to give out ten coins, but five overlap with individuals who received coins in the first round.

Fifteen initiates now have the ability to pledge for a house. Five have their choice of two houses. Cups is up next.

Myrion speaks in his usual light and easy manner. I’m drawn to the present when he calls out, “Sorza Sprigspark.”

The woman beams at me triumphantly, going to collect her coin.

“And lastly, a coin from me, for a heart unshakable in loyalty and duty, Clara Redwin.”

I blink, staring at Myrion before I move forward.

“I thought you said not to try for House Cups?” I whisper under my breath as he places the coin in my hand.

“I like you enough that I thought I’d help you stick around.” He smirks slightly, the expression falling as I step away and return to my place.

So four then, myself included. That means that there are now nineteen initiates who can pledge for eighteen total spots.

It’s Emilia’s turn. “House Swords has decided to give just three coins this year.”

It’s the stingiest of all the houses. Not that I’m surprised.

“The first, from our Queen, goes to Alor.” There’s a warm smile between the sisters as Alor collects her coin in her bandaged hand.

I find a small knot of tension I felt toward the women loosening some.

They’re just…two sisters who want to be together above all else.

Who’d do anything for each other. A younger sister who wants to follow in her elder’s footsteps, and the older sister who wants nothing more than to protect her.

I can’t fault them for that. Even if it makes me ache deeper than mymarrow and beyond my years for my own sister…wherever she might be.

“The second, from our Knight, to Eza.”

Shocking.

He flashes a smile to Alor on his way up, gathering his coin with pride. Two coins, for two slots…But Emilia said there was a third.

“The final coin is from me. To a woman who acted with the swiftness, bravery, and skill of a Sword.” Out of everyone in the crowd, her eyes land on me.

Oh, Twenty—

“Clara Redwin.”

Murmurs, louder than before, surround me as I make my way up to her. “You don’t really want this,” I whisper as she places the coin in my upturned palm.

“I want the best, nothing less.” Emilia’s eyes are cold but fair as sheechoes what I said to Alor in the classroom months ago. Not for the first time, she proves why she is the King of her house.

Twenty-one initiates out of twenty-four have received coins. The field has narrowed some. I look around as I return to my place. The weight of the realization settles on those who didn’t receive an invitation to pledge any of the houses.

Luren’s expression is as stony as the night Kel died. The slightest hint of a smile tugs on her lips, as though she could laugh at the irony of it all. As if she’s once again seeing a future she foretold, and feared.

No…

“Initiates who did not receive a coin, please report back for your Marking and mill appointment,” Kaelis announces. No one moves. “With haste.” His words are like the crack of a whip.

No.

Luren turns to leave.

I catch her hand. Already, pink eyes meet mine. “Have it.” I thrust Myrion’s coin into her palm.

“Clara?” She chokes out my name with confusion, her brow furrowed and upturned in the middle.

“This one is yours. You’re not being Marked today.”

“But—”

“You can’t do that,” Eza sneers. The way he looks at me is positively murderous, no doubt resentful that I got a coin at all, nevertheless two when he got only one. “Coins are invitations, and she did not get one. No student thinks she’s worthy to stand among them.”

“You can shove your coin so far up your ass you choke on it,” I snap back. “If it’s an invitation, then I extend it to her. People thought me worthy? Well, I think she’s worthy.”

“What did you say to me?” A growl rolls up the back of Eza’s throat.

“What is all the commotion?” Kaelis’s voice cuts through the rising altercation.

I look to him and, for a moment, I am fire incarnate. I burn brighter than the sun—unrelenting and undeniable. Kaelis could be the darkest night of winter, and it won’t cool my rage at the injustice of one of the most talented initiates, a woman I need—a friend—about to be Marked.

“I give my coin of House Cups to Luren,” I announce, thrusting her fist holding the coin into the air.

“That is not done,” Kaelis says coolly.

But I look past him to Myrion. “King of Cups, you gave me this coin to pledge your house. But you know as well as I, as well as anyone who bears the crystal signet of Cups, that I am not one of you. I am too sharp and too fiery. But Luren is one of you—or, at least, she should be. If you saw anything in me, then take me at my word that you would be honored to have her among you. She is the epitome of your house. Give her a chance in the upcoming Three of Swords Trials, and she’ll prove it to you. ”

“What are you doing?” Luren whispers, each word quivering through tears.

“What is right,” I answer without taking my eyes off Myrion.

“If…his highness, Headmaster Oricalis, would allow it, House Cups would be willing to consider this most unorthodox adjustment,” Myrion says cautiously.

Everyone’s attention is back to Kaelis. But his focus is solely on me. His eyes narrow slightly, and I can swear I hear him shouting in his mind, What the fuck do you think you’re doing? I stand the slightest bit taller, not backing down.

“This irregularity…will stand.” The words sound like he forced every one of them through a jaw clenched so tight it could crush diamonds to dust. Murmurs ripple through the crowd.

I feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on me.

The prince’s favorite, they’re calling me.

“Now, students and initiates, we return to the academy.”

I lower Luren’s hand, shock overtaking me as the students fall into place. That worked…

“Clara, thank you,” Luren whispers. “You…you changed my fate.”

Like a turn of the Wheel of Fortune. The thought stills me. But for only a second.

“You deserve it,” I remind her. “Show them.”

“I will. I swear it.” And for the first time, I see a conviction in her that assures me she won’t have trouble following through.

We begin to march back. I position myself on the outer edge of the group, brushing against the masses of citizenry that line the streets to watch the students and initiates of the academy depart.

I meet Jura’s eyes and work my way close to her.

By the time I return to the academy, the coin is not the only thing that is burning a hole in my pocket.

But I don’t have time to inspect what Jura’s nimble fingers left there.

Halfway back to the dormitories, I’m pulled to the side by a living shadow and slammed against the wall.