Page 239 of The Fifth Heir

It was not the silence of confusion. Everyone in the courtyard knew the phrase, although none of us had understood it until now.

The headmaster allowed the silence to hold.

“No victor has been named,” he said. “No crown has been awarded. The five of you entered the Academy Trials as heirs. You emerge from them as the Crown Wing.”

His gaze moved across all five of us.

“Until the full history of the Crown Wing is restored, every heir retains equal claim.”

Equal claim.

Not one winner and four defeated heirs.

Not yet a queen and four subjects.

Five heirs who had entered the Trials together and survived because none of us had accepted victory at the others’ expense.

Leander stepped forward. “Then the Academy Trials are concluded?”

“Yes,” the headmaster said. “Whatever laws must now change, you have completed every Trial the academy requires.”

* * *

The healer examined me in the Fifth Wing and declared that I had exhausted my magic but suffered no lasting injury. He ordered bed rest, warm broth, and no further shifting for at least three days.

Torren asked what would happen if I shifted sooner.

The healer told him not to let me.

That was a mistake.

Torren took the instruction as a formal appointment.

By midday, he had followed me from my chamber to the common room, from the common room to the bathing alcove, and from the bathing alcove to the study door.

“I’m not shifting,” I said.

“You might.”

“Accidentally?”

“It happened once.”

“The Trial forced it.”

“You nearly shifted last night without a Trial.”

“I experienced a magical surge.”

Torren folded his arms.

Rafe occupied the sofa with both boots on the low table. “You’ve used that distinction before. It remains unconvincing.”

Sebastian sat beside him, examining the recovered Keeper seal. “Her power is stable.”

“Thank you, Bastian.”

Torren looked toward him. “You’re encouraging her.”