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The vast stone face with its immense towers blazed into my mind amid the flood of images that hit me when I blanked out over Julita’s body.
When her soul slammed into my brain.
I was catching glimpses of her memories, apparently.
The same effect hasn’t happened since, but the thought still unnerves me. I wet my lips and propel myself forward despite my uneasiness.
A cobblestone path leads to the castle-like building’s main entrance, with fields sprawling all around it within the college’s high walls. Not far away, a group of students are exchanging practice blows with swords.
In the other direction, I spot a few women on horseback, trotting around the side of the building. Of course the college would have its own stables as well.
I suck in a deep breath, taking in the scent of trampled grass and seeking the whiff of sweet hay and horsey musk that’s one of the few things I miss from my family’s home.
Straight ahead, right into the building,Julita says.That’s the Quadring ahead of you, where they hold the classes for the four divisions. Leadership, companionship—
“Scholarship and martial service,” I can’t stop myself from murmuring. “I’ve heard.”
Julita pauses for a moment as if taken aback.Well. Even better that you’re prepared. We’ll go through the entrance ahead of you, right down the main hall, along the walkway, and into the Domi.
Walking on, I cock my head just slightly. Hoping she’ll catch the implicit question in the movement.
Julita picks up on my intention, although maybe it’s not surprising that she’s become attuned to me when she’s been living inside my head for the better part of a day.There’s a smaller courtyard in the middle of the Quadring, and in the middle ofthatis a building that’s officially called the Domicile. But we usually just say “the Domi.” That’s where you find all the dorms, the dining hall, the ballroom… and the library, which is our destination.
A couple of guards in the sapphire blue uniforms of royal service stand off to the side of the entrance she indicated. Their gazes slide over the passing students with apparent indifference, but my skin tightens when the one man’s head turns toward me.
A spurt of magic flares in my chest with a sudden appeal.
It could conceal me so much better than a counterfeit dress. It could make sure not one person here even—
I tamp down the urge with a subtle clench of my hands. No fucking way.
There’s no urgent threat, but my power slaps me with a fit of resentment all the same. My lungs burn as if I’ve inhaled a puff of acid smoke.
I grit my teeth and keep walking.
Julita’s tone turns puzzled.Are you all right?
I give a slight nod and inhale slowly. The prickles of pain fade away.
I march through the Quadring’s entrance into an airy, high-ceilinged room that several full houses from the fringes could fit inside—which appears to serve no purpose other than as a gathering place for clusters of students and to split off into narrowing internal halls.At the far end, I find myself on a cobblestone path surrounded by gardens on either side and a glass ceiling overhead.
Julita said the inner courtyard was “smaller,” but it’s hardlysmall. It’s still a good half a minute’s walk to the mountainous building in the middle.
Through the glass covering that must provide shelter for students traveling between the inner and outer buildings during bad weather, I peer up at the Domicile. Its name seems appropriate not just for its function as the students’ home but also for the domed roof arching five stories above my head.
Narrow silver spires jut at intervals along the edge of that roof. I can only count four of them from this vantage point, but I’d be willing to bet there are ten in total. Nine for the godlen and one for the Great God who made them.
The All-Giver might have abandoned us centuries ago, but no one in the realm misses a chance to honor the One and the nine who followed. Especially if they have plenty of money to throw around.
The covered walkway leads straight to a set of double doors in the Domi. Before I’ve quite reached them, they swing open to grant me entrance.
Because apparently nobles are too lazy to grasp a door handle? Who wasted their energy compelling their magic to serve this purpose?
Gods smite me, I can already feel the grease of privilege seeping into my skin.
The entry hall of the Domi isn’t half as grand as the first one I came through, which gives my nerves a chance to settle a little. As I amble past a few wandering students who barely spare me a glance, Julita speaks up again.
Take the second hall on the left. We’re going past the main door to the library and around the bend. Stop just after the tapestry of Signy.
