Chapter 38

Aelia

Professor Lumen's finger glided across the air leaving a trail of golden dust that formed words. I had yet to master that trick of photokinesis. And those manipulations of light were not just any words, they were the names of the trials we would have to pass in the next four weeks to continue onto the end of term battle with Arcanum Citadel.

I heaved in a breath, forcing my lungs to continue their struggle despite the anxiety, amidst the other initiates assembled in the sprawling Hall of Luminescence. The shimmery gold handwriting floated in the air, each swipe of his finger bringing on another massive swell of unease.

The Luminous Maze

The Dusk and Dawn Duel

The Shadows Whisper

Ethereal Light Sculpting

Skyrider Flight

Celestial Glyphs Exam

By the time he was finished, the six components of the Ethereal Trials hovered just over our heads, almost mocking in their shimmering beauty.

"Is he going to explain what each of them are?" I leaned closer to Rue, whispering.

"Yes, surely, he'll go over the expectations for each one."

"Some are fairly self-explanatory," Sy chimed in from the other side of me.

"Well, aren't you just a Fae know-it-all."

My friend shot me a smirk. "I'm most excited about The Shadows Whisper trial. We'll finally have a chance to cross the Luminoc into the Court of Umbral Shadows. In my twenty years on this continent, I have yet to see the fabled dark lands."

"Me too!" Rue squealed.

I supposed I was at an advantage, then, since Reign had toted me back and forth across the forbidden boundary a few times already. "Is there any particular reason Light Fae are not permitted to cross?"

Rue shrugged. "It was part of the treaty after the Two Hundred Years War. I suppose it was just to keep the peace. Crossing is only permitted for official academy-approved activities, and of course, the Royal Guardians move as necessary."

"What about that attack at the beginning of the year?" The horrific death of the female Light Fae student would be permanently emblazoned in my mind.

"A certain number of unscheduled exercises are permitted."

"From what I understand," Sy interjected, "the two headmasters convene at the beginning of the year to determine the amount."

"So you think Draven knew that assault was coming?" I blurted causing a few of the students' gazes to whirl in my direction.

"Not an assault, a Citadel-condoned exercise," Rue replied.

In which students were killed! How could my friends not see how wrong that was? I folded my hands in my lap, nails digging into my own skin to keep from blurting something completely inappropriate.

Professor Lumen cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to the ancient Fae. "There will be two trials held per week so that you may have enough time to recover between events. The two trials held in the classroom, the Celestial Glyphs Exam and Ethereal Light Sculpting, will be interspersed within the more physically demanding ones. The Dusk and Dawn Duel will be held at the narrowest point along the Luminoc River so that you may become habituated to fighting without the benefit of light. Some of you will notice quite a difference when you traverse that boundary. As Light Fae, our abilities come from the goddess, Raysa, and the embodiment of that power, the blessed sun. Without it, you may become more easily depleted of rais, so please be aware."

Hmm. How strange. And yet for me, the moment I crossed the border, my rais seemed fortified. Perhaps Reign was right and my abilities were somehow bound by more powerful rais. I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I considered.

"For The Shadows Whisper trial, Professor Reign"—he motioned toward the Shadow Arts professor who stood a few paces behind him on the dais— "has been granted a special dispensation to accompany you to the Twilight Forest, just past the border into Shadow Fae lands to ensure your relative safety."

The hair on my nape prickled as he paused on the word "relative." After my first excursion into the Court of Umbral Shadows, I'd wager there was not much safe about the forest at all. Not if gloomwhispers abounded.

Again, I hated being unable to share the truth with my friends. Somehow, I'd make it a point to warn them of the creature once we were away from curious gazes and pointy ears.

A hand went up just a few seats down, and Ariadne stood when the professor called her name. "I've heard that the Luminous Maze is the most difficult and typically results in the most deaths. Will that be at the end of the trials or the beginning?"

The professor cleared his throat and the nervous mutterings that began at her question quickly dissipated. "That is not always the case, Miss Bamberlight. And regardless, the order of the trials will vary depending on the squad. It is the most efficient way of organizing the event."

"Great," Symon muttered. "I hope it's last for us."

"Wouldn't you just rather die and have it over with?" Belmore's nasally voice from the row behind sent goosebumps prickling my flesh.

I twisted my head over my shoulder and regretted it immediately.

"I was speaking to you, Kin. With your measly powers, you would think a swift death would be preferable. You'll never survive the maze or the duel."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." I flashed a toothy smile and patted the dagger at my thigh. "As I recall, of the two of us, I'm the more proficient one with blades."

"We'll see, won't we?" he snarled and sat back in his chair.

"Do we battle each other for the trials?" I asked Rue once I'd turned back around. Please say no.

"No, the other teams," Sy responded.

"Which is both good and bad," Rue added. "They're more likely to kill us since they aren't constrained by the rules of conduct. But I also won't feel so badly about taking one of their lives." My sweet friend's lips curled into a vicious smile.

It was so easy to forget she was one of them. Despite her kind demeanor and acceptance of me as a roommate and friend, she grew up in this ruthless world. I would fight for my life if I was forced to, but I preferred not to take a life if it was at all avoidable.

As if the prince of shadows had yanked the thoughts straight from my mind, his dark gaze pivoted to mine. Those dark coils of night whirled around him, and a wisp hurtled in my direction. As a whisper of darkness curled around the back of my neck, I hazarded a glance at Rue. Couldn't she see the shadow?

"You'll have to be careful when we are in Shadow Fae lands." Reign's voice drifted across the shell of my ear as if he stood right beside me. "If your classmates see the astounding difference in your abilities, they will become wary."

"So you want me to lose?" I whispered.

Rue's head spun toward me. "Of course, I don't want you to lose. Why would you ever say that?"

Heat burned my cheeks, and I slowly shook my head. "Sorry, I was just thinking out loud."

"Or you could have said you were speaking to Solanthus," Reign murmured.

Ah, yes, that would have made more sense.

"How about we continue this conversation later," I whispered so quietly, even Rue didn't flinch this time.

"As you wish, princess."

Reign's shadow slithered back to its master, and a mixture of relief tangled with a hint of dismay coursed through my system. Gods, I hated that unflinching hold he possessed over me.

"Now, with the aid of your team leaders," said Professor Lumen, his voice echoing across the hall, "you will divide into squads and begin training for each event."

All the first-years began to move, but somehow, my behind remained anchored to my seat. Up until now, most of our training had been theoretical. How to theoretically kill an opponent… now everything would change.

"Are you coming, Aelia?" Heaton appeared at the end of the row, waving me out of my seat.

It was only then I noticed the hall had emptied out with the exception of only a few lingering professors. Heaton crept closer, his gaze on mine, as if I were some sort of skittish prey about to bolt. His assessment wasn't entirely unfounded.

"You will do just fine, Aelia, I'm certain of it." Heaton extended his hand, and a reassuring smile split his lips.

I allowed him to pull me out of my seat, but I didn't move far. "It's not something you can guarantee, now, is it?" How would I explain I was less afraid about risking my life and more about losing my humanity?

Heaton inched closer, a sad smile skimming across his porcelain skin. "There are very few guarantees in this life, Aelia. I wish I could lie and tell you otherwise, but that would only be a disservice to you." He drew in a labored breath, and his warm hand closed around my shoulder. "The next few weeks will be difficult, but they are essential if you wish to succeed in this life..."

"Are you happy with your choice?" This was Heaton's final year. Who knew where he'd find himself as a Royal Guardian a year from now. The question hung in the air for a long moment before his Adam's apple bobbed, and he began to speak.

"You certainly ask difficult questions, Aelia." A rueful smile lingered across his lips. "I am only one of a long line of Liteschilds who have followed in this path. It isn't quite a choice anymore." He paused and sucked in his lower lip. "I suppose I'll know the answer once I've been sent to the frontlines. Lawson seems happy enough."

"Your brother?"

He nodded. Rue had said they hadn't heard word since he had been dispatched to the northernmost province of the Shadow Court.

"Have you heard from him?" Perhaps the team leaders were privy to information that we were not.

His expression darkened, answering my question without a word. Heaton was a wonderful team leader, but he wore his emotions like a shield forged from the depths of his heart for all to see.

"Does Rue know?" I quickly asked so that he didn't feel obligated to answer.

"No," he murmured. "There are some truths a little sister should not have to hear."

"So why do you allow her to remain?"

A snort slipped out. "Allow is a very broad term, Aelia. As Light Fae not born in court, we are very limited in our choices. The good King Elian makes certain of that." He loosed a frustrated breath and swept a lock of stray blonde hair behind his pointed ear. "Anyway, we must go, Aelia. The others will be waiting for us." His hand dropped to the small of my back as he steered me between the chairs.

When we reached the double doors that led out to the training field, that dark presence skidded across my flesh. I lifted my gaze in time to find Reign storming up the steps of the hall. "Incoming!" he shouted.

Lifting my eyes to the sky, all the air squeezed from my lungs as I focused on the mass of pure darkness barreling toward us.