Page 6

Kaia

I've seen my shadows do a lot of ridiculous things, but watching Bob try to teach Steve how to bow properly might be a new highlight. Or it would be, if we weren't hours away from a meeting that could destroy everything we've built.

"Bob, I swear by all that's holy, if you let Finnick and Carl near those papers again—" I don't finish my threat because the shadows in question are already zooming past my head, trailing what appears to be Malrik's carefully prepared speech. Perfect. Just perfect.

Finnick swoops up toward the ceiling, Carl tumbling after him in what might be an attempt at aerial acrobatics or possibly just pure chaos.

Bob, somehow managing to radiate disappointment despite being made of literal darkness, forms into a tall column and snatches the papers back.

At least someone's taking this seriously.

"The shadows are just nervous," Lira remarks from her seat by the fire, not looking up from the thick tome of academy regulations in her lap. Her lips twitch slightly as Linda attempts to corral the more enthusiastic shadows into something resembling order. "We all are. "

I watch Malrik pace near the window, his silver eyes reflecting the early morning light.

The sight of him this unsettled makes my stomach twist. In the three days since our meeting in Lira's office, I've barely seen him sit down.

"The board will be looking for any excuse," he says, not for the first time. "Any sign that we're not in control."

"Yes, because nothing says 'in control' like wearing a path in the carpet," Finn quips from his sprawl across a nearby armchair.

He's been tossing a glowing orb of chaos magic into the air for the past hour, much to Patricia's visible annoyance.

My most meticulous shadow has been arranging and rearranging our notes, adding what appears to be her own commentary in swooping shadow-script along the margins.

"Finn," Malrik starts, his voice tight with tension, but whatever he's about to say is cut off by Steve's dramatic entrance through the wall, trailing what appears to be half the library's worth of scrolls.

"Please tell me those aren't more regulations," I groan, slumping further into my chair.

Mouse, curled around my shoulders like a living scarf, chirps what sounds suspiciously like agreement.

His weight is comforting, anchoring me as my anxiety threatens to spiral.

The Heart of Eternity hums low against my collarbone, like distant thunder beneath my ribs.

"Worse," Seren announces, following Steve through the door like a normal person.

Her lavender hair is wild, suggesting she's been up all night researching.

"Historical precedent. The board loves that stuff.

Also, Carl, if you eat that scroll, I will personally ensure you spend the next week as a very formal square. "

Carl, caught in the act of attempting to consume what looks like a particularly ancient piece of parchment, deflates visibly.

My shadows have definitely gotten more..

. personality since Finn started naming them.

Finnick pats Carl consolingly with a shadowy tendril before immediately trying to steal the scroll himself, and I have to bite back a laugh despite my nerves.

I'm about to intervene in the scroll-stealing chaos when I feel a gentle touch on my arm. Aspen's icy blue eyes meet mine, concern etched in their depths. "Can we talk for a moment?" he asks softly, nodding towards the adjoining study.

Grateful for the excuse to escape the mounting tension, I nod and follow him.

The study is quieter, lit only by the soft glow of enchanted orbs floating near the ceiling.

My shadows trail after us, though Bob keeps most of them occupied in the other room with what appears to be military drills for scrolls.

"How are you holding up?" Aspen asks, leaning against the ornate desk. The faint shimmer of his water rune catches the light, reminding me of moonlight on a calm lake.

I open my mouth to say I'm fine, but the words catch in my throat.

The lie tastes bitter before it even forms. "I'm terrified," I admit instead, my voice barely above a whisper.

My fingers find the Heart of Eternity, tracing its familiar curves.

"What if we can't convince them? What if they decide I'm too dangerous to keep at the academy? "

Aspen steps closer, his presence steady and reassuring. "They won't," he says with quiet conviction. "You've worked so hard, Kaia. We all have. The board would be fools not to see how much you've grown, how much control you've gained."

His faith in me is almost overwhelming. I wrap my arms around myself, the shadows Bob couldn't keep out pressing in tighter, agitated. They flicker in nervous patterns, reflecting the anxiety I'm trying to keep contained. "But what if it's not enough? What if— "

Before I can spiral further, Aspen closes the distance between us and pulls me into a hug.

I stiffen for a moment, surprised by the sudden contact, before melting into his embrace.

He smells like rain and pine, and for just a moment, I let myself feel safe.

His heartbeat is steady against my cheek, his arms solid around me.

When we pull apart, there's something in his eyes that makes my heart race.

Something warm and fierce that makes my shadows pulse with answering energy.

But before either of us can say anything more, Torric's voice carries from the other room: "Five hours and forty-three minutes," he calls out, still aggressively sharpening his sword. "Not that I'm counting."

The moment breaks, reality rushing back in.

Aspen's quiet "I'm here if you need me" follows me like a promise as we return to the chaos of the common room.

My shadows curl tighter around my feet, their anxiety mirroring mine.

Even Bob's etiquette drills seem half-hearted now, especially with Steve tumbling through the furniture.

"It'll be fine," Finn says, catching his glowing orb one final time before sitting up properly. "We've got this. We've got witnesses, evidence, and an army of surprisingly coordinated shadows. What could go wrong?"

As if in direct response to his question, Carl manages to tangle himself in the chandelier, sending tiny shards of crystal tinkling to the floor.

"You had to ask," Malrik sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

But there's a fondness in his voice that wasn't there when I first came to the academy, and something in my chest loosens at the sight of his slight smile as Finnick launches a dramatic "rescue" mission that somehow involves more aerial acrobatics than should be physically possible for a being made of shadow .

Lira clears her throat, finally looking up from her book. "Perhaps we should review the testimony order one more time. Kaia, you'll speak first, then—"

She's interrupted by a knock at the door. We all freeze, even my shadows dropping into defensive formations that would be impressive if Steve hadn't tripped and caused a minor domino effect.

Professor Thaldris pokes his head in, his usually cheerful face unusually serious. "They're ready for you. The board has convened early."

The silence that follows is broken only by the soft thud of Carl finally freeing himself from the chandelier and landing directly on Finn's head.

"Well," I say, standing as shadows swirl protectively around my feet, "at least we don't have to wait any longer."

Mouse chirps encouragingly from my shoulder, his tiny form vibrating with determination. Bob straightens to his full height, somehow managing to look both regal and mildly concerned about Finnick's continued attempts to perfect his midair somersaults.

"Remember," Lira says quietly as we gather our materials, "they're looking for any reason to prove Thorne right. Don't give them one."

I touch the Heart of Eternity, drawing strength from its familiar warmth. Three days of preparation have to count for something. Three days of testimonies, evidence gathering, and yes, shadow etiquette training. It has to be enough.

As we file out of the common room, I catch Malrik's eye. The weight of what's coming sits heavy in my chest, but there's something else too, a fierce determination that makes my shadows pulse with energy .

Malrik meets my gaze, solid and unflinching. Behind him, Torric shifts his stance, Aspen adjusts his cuffs, and Finn spins his chaos orb one last time. It’s not just my trial. It’s ours.

"Together?" I ask softly.

Malrik's smile is sharp but genuine. "Together."

Behind us, Finn whispers something that makes Carl giggle-shadow all over the walls, and Patricia can be seen adding one final note to her extensive documentation.

We're as ready as we'll ever be. Which, given our track record, is either terrifying or oddly comforting. I haven't quite decided which.

My wings stir beneath my skin, an echo of power I'm still learning to control. The Heart responds with a gentle pulse, and for a brief moment, I swear I can feel something else. Something distant yet familiar, like a tug on my soul from somewhere beyond the academy walls.

But then Torric puts his hand on my shoulder, and the sensation fades. I square my shoulders. No more hiding. No more waiting to be judged. "Let's go show them what a Valkyrie can do," he says, his golden eyes fierce with pride.

And for just a moment, I almost believe we might pull this off.