He shrugs. ‘If you’re not fast, you’re last.’
‘Pig.’
Flint grins at me through a mouthful of porridge.
The sun streams through the open balcony doors, bathing the room in early-morning light. Birdsong mingles with the sounds of a city waking up.
‘Here,’ Flint says, pushing a bowl of berries towards me. ‘Eat.’
I do as I’m told.
‘Where’s that chaperone of yours?’ My brother glances around as though she were crouched under the dressing table. ‘Isn’t she meant to be, you know,chaperoningyou?’
At that moment Spinner hurtles through the doors and screeches to a halt, nursing a stitch in her side. ‘Oh, good,’ she says, between pants. ‘You’re up.’
Flint throws a berry at her. ‘No thanks to you. She’d have slept right through the first training session if it weren’t for me.’
Spinner just blows him a kiss.
Elva appears behind her, amber eyes downcast. Draped over her arm is a tunic exactly like Flint’s, only this one is blue. Spinner ushers me behind a screen to change. The tunic fits perfectly, as did the dress from last night. This strikes me as odd, given that I was never asked for my measurements. Perhaps Eyes have a knack for these things.
Flint and I follow a couple of Ventalla Heirs through long corridors and echoing galleries until we reach the entrance hall.
‘Morning,’ says Elaith. ‘Sleep well?’
‘Like a baby,’ Flint tells her.
‘What’s with these, d’you reckon?’ Cole pulls a face as he gestures to his tunic.
‘Can’t say I mind them,’ says Flint, flexing his shoulders.‘I’m lucky, though. You can pull off just about anything when you’re as pretty as me.’
Elaith snorts. ‘Sure.’
She’s customized her own tunic with a red leather belt, and gold bangles glitter round her bare forearms from where she’s rolled up the sleeves.
‘How convenient for you, Elaith,’ my brother says. ‘I didn’t realize the training tunics came in children’s sizes.’
Elaith elbows him in the chest. Moments later a man appears at the foot of the largest staircase. He smiles widely, displaying two rows of solid-gold teeth, and introduces himself as Alator, the court official overseeing the day-to-day running of the Choosing Rite.
‘Training will take place at the Golden Keep,’ Alator says, moving to stand over by the towering doors to the palace. ‘Who can tell me something about the Keep?’
I can. I’ve read about it. The library at Harglade Hall has a whole shelf dedicated to the Imperial Province. The Keep was built by Rekar Castellion, the second emperor of Ostacre and firstborn son of the Maker. It’s protected by ancient enchantments and was used as a site of refuge during the War of the Empires. Not that I plan on saying any of this out loud. I expect I wouldn’t be doing myself any favours in being branded a know-it-all.
When no one responds, an Aquatori Heir clears his throat quietly. He’s a good-looking boy, tall and lean and angular, his long dark hair tied back from his face with a scrap of blue cloth. ‘The Keep was designed to protect those inside from invaders,’ he says. ‘Many sought shelter there when the citadel was under siege from the Magi.’
Alator looks pleased. ‘Excellent, Kai. It appears someone knows their history.’
A Ventalla girl in a pearl-grey tunic steps forward. ‘So what happens now? Will Hal be joining us?’
‘His Imperial Highness,Prince Haldyn,’ corrects Alator, ‘has far more pressing matters to attend to at present. Your trainers will oversee every aspect of your tuition. The prince will watch each of the three trials, alongside the Crowned Council.’ He claps his hands together briskly. ‘Now, before we depart for the Keep, is there anybody missing?’
‘Well, that depends,’ says a voice from above. ‘I’m not just anybody.’
My body turns rigid. I know that voice, honey-sweet and hateful. No. Not here. Please not here. Nother.
Slowly, I turn round.
Ember saunters towards us, skipping lightly down the last few steps and walking straight through the middle of the Heirs, who part for her with only muttered indignation. Her hair is threaded with golden beads, her lips painted the same shade of red as her tunic, and there, glimmering on the back of her hand, is the unmistakable glow of her brandmark.
