Chapter 5

Aelia

Two sprawling fortresses stretched out below, divided by a meandering river. One radiated light like the most brilliant sunrise, while interminable darkness cloaked the other. Reign must have noticed my puckered brows because he pressed his lips to my ear as we continued our descent. "I suppose a little history lesson is in order. The Conservatory of Luce is on our left?—"

"Clearly," I muttered, using the sarcasm as a shield against the traitorous sensations his mouth against the shell of my ear elicited.

"Well, if you already know everything, princess, then I'll save my breath."

"No," I blurted. "Tell me about the other one, the dark fortress across the river."

"That is Arcanum Citadel, where the finest minds and strongest hearts of the Court of Umbral Shadows study and train. Strength from Darkness, Power through Pain is the motto to which the students adhere."

From the corner of my eye, I caught his expression turning wistful, but it vanished before I was certain.

"And the motto of the Conservatory?"

"Forged in Light, Tempered in Truth. It doesn't quite have the same ominous ring to it, now does it?"

I slowly shook my head. Thank the stars. "And why are the two universities so close?" They appeared to sit right along the border of each court.

"Why do you think?"

I chewed on my lower lip as I considered. There would only be one logical reason to have enemies so close to one another. "To train against each other."

"Very good, princess."

A streak of murky shadows darted across the sky and Pyra banked left. My hands tightened around the pommel as I teetered off the saddle.

"By the gods' blood," he hissed. "Hold on!"

"I'm trying," I cried out, my palm instinctively lifting to my chest and the necklace hidden beneath my dress. Oh, please do not die today.

The beast wrapped in shadows circled closer, and this time I could make out a dark-haired rider perched atop the winged creature. The monster"s head resembled that of a giant bird while its bottom half appeared similar to a muscled stallion.

"What is that?" I shouted against the wind.

Dark tendrils coiled around us, like icy fingers dancing across a grave. My instructor expertly guided our mount through the muddy haze until we re-emerged on the other side. The winged animal spun toward us and the shadows morphed again. A projectile careened toward us.

"Your introduction to life at the rival academies," Reign finally replied as he jerked the reins to the right and Pyra darted toward the ground, just missing the spear of shadows. "Come on, old girl, desentim. We just need to get a little closer."

Pyra tucked her wings to her sides and we hurtled toward the ground, wind lashing the hair across my face. My heart catapulted up my throat with the breakneck speed of our downward climb. A golden orb encased the Conservatory just ahead.

"Almost there," Reign rasped out.

Another barrage of shadow daggers hurtled toward us, and squeezing my eyes closed, I waited for the impending sting of mystical blades. Pyra twisted and turned, Reign's muscular arms the only thing keeping me in the saddle. A sharp ping snapped my eyes open to the sight of a dagger bouncing off Reign's cloak and disintegrating to ash.

What in all the kingdoms?

Before I could draw in a steadying breath, the golden sphere settled over us and a wave of warmth blanketed my icy bones. Reign exhaled sharply and tugged on Pyra's reins, the phoenix leveling out.

"Relax, we're safe now." His deep voice sailed across the breeze as if his mouth were pressed to my ear again, only this time, it clearly was not. He sat up, tense behind me, the coiled muscles of his abdomen brushing my back.

"What was that thing?"

"The Shadow Fae skyrider or the hippogriff?"

"The second one."

"A hippogriff is half-eagle, half-horse. Surely, they taught you something at those primary schools for Kin?" I shook my head and he released a grunt of disgust. Like it was our fault we weren't educated. "All students at both universities are paired with a flying mount. You will be too."

My thoughts flickered back to Lord Liander and those wings of smoke. "But I thought Fae could fly." I eyed my professor who was lacking shadowed appendages of his own.

"Only the most powerful can summon wings. With some Fae, it comes with time, and with others, never at all. Having a beast to ride for training is incredibly advantageous."

I tried to wrap my mind around the fact that I'd be riding one of these winged fiends by myself before long. Not only that, but I'd also be battling midair against Shadow Fae with actual powers. If I survived my first day…

The phoenix's talons hit the ground, curling into the lush lawn, and my body hurtled forward with the movement. If it weren't for the steel bands of flesh and blood draped around my middle, I would have flown over the pommel and fallen headfirst into the expanse of verdant green.

Righting myself in a lame attempt to preserve a modicum of dignity, I heaved out an un-ladylike breath at the towering building standing at the edge of the enchanting forest.

The Conservatory loomed over us, a beacon of ethereal beauty amidst the wild greens. Its exterior was bathed in a soft, luminous glow that seemed to emanate from within the shimmery marble stone. Towering spires adorned with intricate carvings of celestial images reached towards the sky, catching the light of the sun in a dazzling display. The walls, crafted from shimmering white marble, veined with streams of iridescent crystal, reflected the vibrant colors of the surrounding flora, setting the entire fortress ablaze.

Elaborate gardens and water features cascaded around the perimeter, teeming with vibrant and exotic blooms that seemed to thrive under the radiance of the Conservatory"s magic—or rais, I supposed. Graceful archways adorned with delicate vines and intricate filigree called to me, inviting me into this mystical academy. I could feel its power pulsating, like a tremor skimming across my skin.

It may have been beautiful, but a deep part of me knew it was just as equally deadly. That had been something else Aidan had drilled into me since I was a child. Behind great beauty lies twisted, unfathomable darkness. I vowed to remember that as Reign drew his cloak over my head and leapt off Pyra. I wobbled on the back of the huge beast as soon as his hold fell away.

"Come, your destiny awaits." He unhooked my bag from the saddle and extended his hand once again, an unreadable expression crossing those bottomless, pitch orbs.

I chose to forgo his help this time. Sliding off Pyra's back while holding down my voluminous skirt, I managed to land on surprisingly steady feet, considering my legs felt like jelly after the aerial acrobatics, not to mention the hour aboard the phoenix before that. The sheaths strapped at my thighs had begun to dig into my skin, and I'd been fortunate my own daggers hadn't impaled me on the long journey. Perhaps, Reign was right about their placement.

My instructor handed me my bag then slid his arms behind his back, his face a mask of stone as he turned for the arched marble entryway. No guards manned the entrance, and there was no daunting gate as I'd imagined, only a faint hum and gentle glow surrounded the gilded doors of the Conservatory.

He moved up the steps, and my gaze finally dropped from the imposing ingress to the male in front of me. His cloak was gone, replaced by silky, shadow wings that spanned across his broad shoulders. They were much like the Shadow Fae's who'd come to claim me, only several times larger. They writhed and twirled across his form, whispering along an invisible breeze.

I stepped closer but an aura of sheer power hurtled me back.

Reign spun around, a wry grin on his lips. "Be careful not to stand too close, princess."

I barely restrained a dramatic eyeroll. "Where were your wings before?"

His shoulders lifted casually. "They come and go as they will." He ticked his head toward the elaborate gilded doors, made of what seemed like pure light. Glowing runes were engraved across the gleaming metal, the luminous symbols beginning to vibrate at our approach.

The doors glided open with a sharp keening sound that grated across my eardrums. He spun around again, those piercing irises raking over me, that look more lethal than any male's touch had any right to be. His brows pinched as he regarded me with that slow scrutinizing gaze. "May Raysa and Noxus be with you."

"Thank you," I muttered, oddly unnerved by his blessing. I forced my feet up the final step, and a surge of power crashed over me. Every nerve-ending in my body lit up and I could barely compel my legs forward. Crushing weight slammed into my chest, my shoulders, and my lungs stalled. What in all the worlds?

Heaving in a deep breath, I focused every ounce of power I had into my legs. I was strong, physically. I'd toiled the fields for the Fae nobles for years. Some silly magical door wasn't going to stop me now. My heart smashed against my ribs, my chest much too tight, but I fought anyway. Fighting was nothing new to me.

As quickly as it had come, the resistance vanished, and I careened through the opening right into Reign's waiting arms. My eyes lifted to meet his, an apology and a thank you on the tip of my tongue—but somehow, I managed to swallow down both.

He released me and took a measured step back, and again, that unreadable expression darkened the harsh beauty of his face. "You continue to surprise me, princess."

"Because I was able to walk across the threshold of the Conservatory?"

"Not just any threshold." He dipped his head toward the entrance, and the faint glow of some sort of mystical barrier coalesced. "The Veil of Judgement." My eyes widened as I waited for him to further explain the cryptic name. "Only those deemed worthy to attend the Conservatory are allowed to pass into the Hall of Glory."

"Oh." My hand reached out, fingers wiggling through the glittering veil. That must have been the resistance I'd felt. Though I'd never admit it to my arrogant professor, I'd barely made it through. That didn't seem promising.

I took a moment to gape at the expansive foyer and the majestic fountain at its center, its waters flowing with a gentle luminescence that cast shifting shadows across the room. A loud thud spun my head over my shoulder to the still open doors.

A monstrous silver hippogriff with two riders landed just beyond the steps on the lush lawn of the Conservatory, and I staggered back a few feet, right into the wall of Reign's chest.

"Don't worry, he's one of ours," he whispered.

I eyed the silver-haired, pointy-eared male as he dismounted. A flowing beard the same hue of his light hair nearly reached his silk tunic. The second male slid off the hippogriff, his inquisitive gaze alternating between the mystical doorway and me. A sneer curled his lip as his eyes ran over my softly curved ears. "Since when does the Conservatory of Luce allow mortals to grace its fine halls?"

"It is not up to you to question the goddess," Reign snapped at the young Fae.

"Yes, rightly so." The bearded male glanced over his spectacles before he ambled toward us, wings of pure radiant light shooting over his shoulders. The snooty young male paused at the entryway, the nostrils of his sharp nose flaring.

Did he know he was to be judged? That seemed like an unfair advantage. I suddenly hoped he was denied entrance because of that snooty remark, though the thought was pointless, really. I was certain I'd face the same prejudices from all the Fae I'd encounter at the university.

"Come on, then, Delius, cross over," the older male commanded.

With one last disdainful glare in my direction, he stepped up the marble stairs and across the threshold. The moment his boot reached the shimmering globe, a flare of brilliant light blasted from the male's torso and a soundless scream curved his fine lips. The explosion of light was so blinding, I was forced to shield my eyes from its scorching rays.

By the time I opened them again, nothing but a pile of sooty ash remained of the Fae.