It was the king's orders that during your two years of academy, you were not to leave the castle grounds unless it was forbattle. Contacting anyone outside of the grounds was forbidden, meaning I wouldn't even hear from my family until next year. He believed that having contact with the outside world caused too many distractions—that it could affect one's loyalty to the kingdom. The way I saw it though, these rules were just another way for him to control us. Apparently forcing the gifted into knighthood wasn’t enough for the asshole.
This morning on the shore, I promised myself that I would do everything in my power to not crumble with fear over my fate. I planned to do as Delani said—fight like hell, wield my power, and stay alive. Emphasis on thestay aliveportion. Some of the new students would die, and I didn't plan on being one of them.
Many of the decorations from Jewel-Light were still on display in the courtyard. The cascades of flowers—though wilting—still hung from the trees, the warm summer breeze scattering their petals throughout the patio. The buffet tables had been cleared out and replaced with rows of chairs, covering the patio aside from an aisle down the middle. The seats were pointed at a golden podium. It sat atop an elongated platform, where the freshly gifted twenty-one-year-olds would soon stand.
I wondered how many of us there were. Previous years had averaged around seventy-five new academy students. Based on the crowd, I had a feeling there were more this year.
The chairs filled rapidly as numerous Caelestians, gifted and not, arrived at the Jewel-Light Ceremony.
I inhaled purposefully, using the kiss of the sun to melt away the nerves in my chest. The air was sweltering, and the heated rays of the summer sky were sure to burn my skin if I sat outside for too long. A few wispy clouds loitered in the aqua sky, none of which were opaque enough to produce any shade over the courtyard. I brushed my hair over my shoulders, letting the sun-kissed strands tumble down my back. I used them as protection from the sun as it began toblister my skin, and found myself thankful that I chose to let my waves coil freely today.
Sighing, I looked to the left at my mother. I could tell she was proud of me, despite knowing that soon I’d no longer be standing by her side. Without looking at me, she took my hand in hers and squeezed it gently.
“I'm scared,” I whispered to her, returning my gaze straight ahead.
“I know, my star. But there is nothing to be afraid of. The gods have blessed you with an amazing gift. It is an honor.”
I bit back my scoff.
An honor.
I wasn't so sure about that.
My fingertips subconsciously twirled the pendant she gave me, the use of my nickname reminding me why the charm was so fitting. My mother had been calling meher starfor as long as I could remember. I was unsure where the name came from, but I cherished it all the same.
My focus was redirected as heavy footsteps rocked the stone beneath my feet. I whipped my head around as the same ten soldiers who were present at the Jewel-Light Festival marched into the courtyard. The one who caught my eye last night led the rest of them as they filed down the middle of the chairs.
My eyes followed the soldier onto the golden platform. He wore the same uniform as last evening, and somehow the daylight made him look even more dashing. He situated himself then stood completely static while the others filled in next to him, copying his stance.
King Hawthorne bounded down the aisle after his head soldiers. He was followed by his advisor, and when the two of them took their position at the front of the crowd, the applause commenced in unison.
I shifted in my seat, twiddling my thumbs and preparing myself while the king settled himself at the podium, whichcame to life in the presence of someone behind it. The details carved into the furnishing were exquisite, a subtle representation of our gods and goddesses. The golden wood was home to a ring of colorful jewels, large enough to be seen by those in the furthest row of chairs.
As if he sent the crowd into a trance, the chatter quieted when the king raised his hands to propose silence. He cleared his throat before he spoke. “Greetings again, citizens of Caelestis. I sincerely hope you all enjoyed the festivities last night in honor of this year's Jewel-Light Meteor Shower.”
I turned my gaze ever so slightly, still somewhat listening to the king's words, but diverting my attention to the soldier who continued to pique my interest. The heatwave today did not require him to wear gloves, so I was able to make out the diamond rooted into his hand.
My eyebrows raised. My assumption about his power was way off, but Caius made a good choice by choosing the soldier. Not to mention that he and I shared the same jewel.I think.
The king’s voice lifted, breaking my focus. “After today's ceremony has concluded, all of those blessed will be introduced to their dormitories to be briefed on what is expected from them in their coming years at Caelestis Academy.”
He said a few more words, then took a step back, making space for his advisor to take his place at the podium.
The king's advisor was quite short—almost as though his growth had been stunted. His head bobbled just a few inches above the podium and his white beard skimmed the top of it. He wore glasses that were much too large for his face, blatant by the way he rebalanced the frames on the bridge of his nose.
Regardless of his size, the way he addressed the kingdom made it obvious that he was a figure of authority. “All of those who are newly gifted, please rise and make your way onto the platform.” The advisor gestured to the empty area beside the soldiers.
My heart sank.
I was out of time.
Bodies jumped out of their chairs. The gifted rushed to the platform, practically pushing each other down to get a good position on the stage. I watched them, my legs plastered to my seat. My nerves stopped the blood flow to my brain, and I was physically unable to move a single muscle.
My eyes—the only part of my body I had control over at the moment—scanned back and forth over the platform. Most of the newly gifted already stood proudly before the rest of the kingdom. A few of them were sobbing, and though I didn't blame them, I personally wouldn't be caught dead crying in front of all of those people like that.
The king allowed his advisor to take complete control of the ceremony as he himself drifted into a chair near the podium. It wasn't by technicalities a throne, but it may as well have been with the luster of the seat.
This was ludicrous. All of it. Every single aspect of this fucking thing was absurd. The jewels in my skin were supposed to be a blessing—agiftfrom the gods. Not a possible death sentence.
