That thought kicked me out of my memory. Last night had been special. Would my memory of all of this still be intact when I woke? Or would it vanish like a dream? With no way to know, I set aside my speculation and focused on the present.
While I reminisced, more trainees arrived for the placements. Fresh footprints trampled the damp ground. Thankfully, not a soul sat in the spectators’ section.
I was more prepared for this placement. Which was either Miss Q’s exciting game of 'Believe Your Magic Is Real' or a series of hands-on tests designed to help me figure out my career path, which could be anything: book work in administrative offices, a stable hand, or maybe joining Rowan in his enforcer uniform.
My stomach growled.
What yesterday had not done was point me toward an obvious cafeteria or a free source of food. The Rooster and Wicked Wich were the two eateries. I could purchase essentials from the store attached to the trade hall. But I didn’t know what money looked like here, much less had any.
Honestly, three places to get food didn’t seem to be enough for the number of people walking around every day, but what did I know? I wasn’t great at logistics. It actually tracked that my imaginary world wouldn’t be great at it either.
I snorted to myself, only to have my stomach growl again. But this was better than owing Brody anything more. I’d made a mistake opening up to him right off the bat. I’d be more careful in the future. Either this one, or the next lucid dream.
A few minutes before go-time, around twenty-five trainees milled about. Some I recognized from yesterday, and others were new faces. A pair who’d done their Wundarboards together still chatted and laughed off to one side. I wanted that same connection, but if anything, the circle of trainees around me had widened, and there was no Cayden in sight.
I planted my feet and lowered my expectations.
A simple sports bra kept my underweight chest flat enough. For what, exactly? After Hope and the chancellor had both said the same thing, I assumed the family was on the same page. ‘Blend in’ and ‘pretend to be a boy’ had been Hope’s key advice.
But yesterday, Winston, the Friar Tuck with yellow hair look-a-like who tested us with Wundarboards, told both men I was a woman. He then gave Seth a seal of approval and treated Cayden like an invader if he hurt me. Yet, it was Seth who kept invading my personal space and Cayden who defended me.
I scratched my head. Something I didn’t understand was happening behind the scenes here, but I wasn’t sure how much I cared.
This was all in my mind, although it didn’t always feel like it.
And so far, doing whatever made me happy was working out.
I sat on Rowan, and loved it.
I started my workout with Ezra last night by literally tugging his shirt so he’d take it off, and loved that.
I’d purposefully acted as dumb as possible to bug sourpuss Cayden, and really loved that.
And yeah, maybe Angela Moore started a bunch of rumors about me, making me social outcast number one. I might have needed an extra cold shower this morning after Ezra had heated my dreams. And maybe I hampered whatever plans the family had for me by not befriending Seth… but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
My entire life, I’d tried to fit in and hide my craziness. For what? I’d still made people around me uncomfortable. I’d still been a social outcast. Sitting on Rowan was literally the closest I’d ever been to a dick. I’d take it!
“Another redhead,” a petite voice said, making me look left. “And a woman?”
A tall beauty stood elegantly in the same trainee uniform as me, but with far fewer layers underneath. Her wavy blood-red hair sparkled in the sunlight, cascading across her tunic, which she tucked into the same uniformed pants I wore. Gold glistened around her waist, wrists, neck, and ears.
I cleared my throat. “Ah no, just a small dude.” I tried to keep my voice low. “Quinn Question.” I held out my hand, but the woman pushed it aside to hug me.
I sucked in a breath. No one had hugged me in months, and her touch sent a jolt of love and longing through me. I wrapped my arms around her, thankful in ways she would never know for this moment.
She released me and grinned. “All right,dudeit is.”
I wrinkled my nose, and she grinned, her deep red lips perfectly matching her smoky-eyed makeup.
A figure stepped up to her side. I blinked at a male version of her. Slender and almost too beautiful to exist. The same dark-red hair was up in a tight bun on the top of his head, drawing attention to his long jawline. He wore the brown leathers and cream tunic of a trainee.
He studied me suspiciously with one hand resting on a sword at his belt.
I swallowed.
“My name is Everly, and this is my twin, Hero,” Everly said, taking a step back from me. Her brother moved his hand off his sword.
I ducked my head. “Ah, good to meet you.”
