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“Lyra.”
“Thank you, Lyra.”
Grabbing my bag, I make sure I have everything before turning for the door, but I don’t get far before she’s calling my name. I look back over my shoulder to see her nervously wringing her fingers as she rubs her lips together.
Whatever is playing on her mind seems to settle as she points at me. “Since you’ve offered me so many words of wisdom, would you like some in return?”
“I’ll take what I can get,” I reply, intrigued as hell.
“Keep your head down and avoid any trouble. Especially when it comes to your brother.”
* * *
My hair is damp with sweat, clinging to my face and neck as I take another turn, hoping like hell I’ve finally figured this fucking map out. There are multiple pages to the damn thing, a fact it took me two wrong turns and a hot minute to realize, but the tag on my room key readsKing Phillian House, and the sign up ahead says the same.
My pace picks up, hope blossoming in my chest as I, once again, retrieve the key.Third time's the charm. Taking the pathway to the right, a single story building comes into view.
It’s not grand or excessive, but the view it offers as I get closer is breathtaking. It’s by the far end of the cliff, water lapping in the distance while the coastlines of surrounding towns fade off on the horizon.
Please let this be where I’m supposed to be.
Twirling the key in my hand, I squeeze it tight as I come to a stop before placing it into the lock. The latch that sounds makes me squeal, excitement buzzing in my veins and relief flooding my senses at finally finding the building housing my latest accommodations.
Without wasting a moment, I step inside to find a completely open living area, dining table, and kitchen, with doors leading off on either side, but my attention is focused straight ahead. Floor to ceiling doors offer a panoramic view of exactly what I’d been admiring outside. It makes my heart lurch in my chest. It’s so open, so majestic in a light and airy way, that I don’t know where to look first.
Little critters scurry over the wooden furniture in the yard as birds fly high overhead, dipping and diving in pairs over the cliff edge as the light breeze outside flutters the flowers.
I feel like my eyes are wide open, my retinas burning from all of the brightness.
Shuffling further into the room, I place my bag down on the pale gray chair closest to me. The seating area is situated prominently in the middle with a huge dining table running the length of the right-hand side and a kitchen bigger than my entire house back home filling the left.
I’m sure there was another key in the folder for my specific room and a quick glance inside reveals the smaller key labeledfive. Squinting at the doors framing the room, I count each one until I find the fifth, matching my key.
Grabbing my things, I tiptoe through the room toward the right, like I’m not supposed to be here, and quietly unlock it. I think I need to punch myself in the face or, at minimum, pinch my arm because this surely can’t be happening right now.
A queen-sized bed sits against the left wall, nightstands on either side, and a pale white drape hangs over it; a desk is tucked in the corner, a leather chair pushed against it and a walk-in wardrobe beside it; a private bathroom leads directly to the right and the window offers a pretty view of the flowers in the garden.
Nowhere, not even the richest parts of Shadowmoor, would have anything like this. Knowing this is how Sebastian has likely lived all his life makes me instantly want to hate it, but it’s impossible.
Placing my bag on the bed, I take a seat beside it and exhale, giving myself a second to catch up, but it’s not going to happen yet. Or at all, for that matter. Opening the folder, I pull out all of the documents inside and organize them by what’s important now, and what can be read later.
I prioritize my uniform and book information, saving my schedule and extracurricular details for after. Despite my need to pass out and gorge on any food I can get my hands on, I decide to get this shit over and done with first. I make sure to grab both keys and the lists before locking up after myself and following the map.
I’ll be curious to see my housemates later. I’m not really a people person, but I guess I’m going to have to adjust a little. Not too much though. I’ll be able to hide away in my room as much as possible.
Finding the right page in the map book, I hurry toward the on-site facilities. I don’t know what I’m expecting to find, but it’s not rows of stores, restaurants, and bistros. This is madness. Since most people are in classes, I get to move around without interruption. It’s only when I step inside the uniform store and the assistant comes over to help me that I stutter.
“How am I supposed to pay for this?” I ask nervously as she immediately starts taking my measurements.
She looks up at me with an inquisitive glance but chuckles. “Your presence here is an honor to many. No student pays for anything here.”
“Nothing?” I clarify and she nods.
“Your favor will be returned in one of two ways, as will everyone else’s.”
Confusion knits my eyebrows as she takes a step back and waves me toward the dressing room. “How?”
She grabs one of each item before coming to a stop beside me. “You’ll pay with your life. Either failing to survive the trials and tribulations of the academy, or on the battlefield, defending your people.”
