Page 89 of A Whisper of Cinders

Aramis. Walking me to my room. And the possibility that he might actually enter my room. Who knows what might happen from that point on? I’d want nothing more, but I think being alone for a little while might not be such a bad idea. For my sanity that is.

“No, that's alright, you have work to do. I’ll be fine.”

His smile falters for a second, but I blink and it’s back in full force. “Of course, I’ll see you later then?”

“I would love that.”

“Enjoy your shower.” He sucks his lip in, my attention drawn to the movement.

“That won’t be a problem.”

Damn it. I really need to stop talking and walk away from this situation. Aramis leaves the room with a wink and I take my leave as well. The ancient tree hums even louder and stronger than it did before. A radiant glow surrounds it and I almost reach out to touch the bark. But something within me hesitates, as if I’m not ready to do so just yet.

I leave the tree behind and walk through the halls of Moonveil Academy, grateful to see it with my fae sight. It isn’t stable, the view shifting between bright colours and duller ones.

Another thing I notice is how more people — fae — wander around me. Were they always here and was I unable to see them or were they away and returned when I was out?

I take the stairs up to my floor and when I stand at the beginning of the hallway where my room is, I believe I’ve taken the wrong one.

For a whole month I didn’t see a single person. But now, every door looks different except for mine that looks very basic, and I hear sounds, maybe even music.

I turn back to my door, noticing small carvings along the edges. I’ve never seen those before, or maybe I didn’t pay enough attention.

“It might take a while before your door manifests.”

I nearly jump out of my skin. I spin around, heart hammering, I didn’t even hear footsteps or a whisper of fabric. But there she stands.

She is close enough that I can see the shimmer of her violet eyes, like cut amethyst under moonlight. Her skin is luminous, kissed with a pink natural blush and a deep violet braid drapes over one shoulder, golden charms interwoven in it that chime softly when she tilts her head.

She is draped in a midnight fabric and on her collarbones rests a gemstone the same shade as her eyes. She is night incarnated. Her serious expression makes me a little uneasy and I take a small step back, but as soon she notices, her features soften.

“Oh, I’m sorry, love, I didn’t mean to frighten you. Which is of course exactly what I did. I’m surprised you can see — and hear — me. I tried talking to you many times before, but you were still shielded, or we were shielded from you.” Her voice is as smooth as a river, the sound gentle and soothing. “My name is Neoma and you must be Maily.” She looks at my door. “Do things look very different to you?”

I haven’t seen much yet, I’ve only been discharged minutes ago. “Yes and no. Everything looks the same, but more vivid and there are definitely more students than there were before. Seeing you is a surprise as well. Although living alone in a hallway with eleven other doors would have been a little weird, but hey, I got a nice room, who am I to ask questions?” I hesitate a second or two. “I presume you sleep here?

She points at the door behind her. “That is my room, so we’re basically neighbours.”

I take a few steps forward, faintly noticing how her door is glowing. The phases of the moon are carved into the wood with a very skilled hand. At its apex, a great crescent moon is etched in silver relief, its curves cradling delicate swirling patterns that shimmer like captured stardust.

Vine-like filigree sprawls across the doors surface, knotting into delicate twists of ivy. The handle is made of twisted silver, shaped like entwined branches. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a door so beautiful.“That is quite a door.”

She stands next to me, taking in her magnificent door. “Oh, thank you, that is very kind! I’m sure yours will be too.”

“There is a door designer here in the Academy?”

Her laugh is soft and high, but pleasant on the ears. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s not like that at all. The door represents the fae who occupies the room.” She gestures to her own door. “For me — you can probably guess it already — but I have a strong connection to the moon. That’s what my door represents, because it is such a vital part in my life. And the inside of our rooms change with it as well, whereas yours still has the standard lay-out.”

This school is extraordinary and I believe I’ve only seen the tiniest glimpse of it. I walk back to my door, noticing small sparks edged on the wood. I guess it makes sense, the first manifestation of my powers were small fiery embers.

“Hey, if you ever want to hang out, don’t hesitate to knock on my door, okay? I would love some company.”

“Thank you, I will keep that in mind.”

“Sure thing! I’ll see you later.”

I wave her goodbye and watch her disappear in her room, which has a purple interior and lots of windows. It makes my room look very basic and standard indeed, but I’m not complaining.

I lean against my door, taking a deep breath before slowly releasing it. What a wild couple of days I’ve had. Finding out Ami is still alive, learning I didn’t actually kill my mother, hearing I’m fae and have powers… I think I need a break, and a shower sounds like a very good idea.