Page 120 of Under Restless Skies

I blink. Vos is there, except that he’s the exact same color as the wall. He looks transparent, even. When I crouch to touch him, his color comes back to its normal gray.

Is it magic? Or just some camouflaging ability? It’s impressive either way.

“What an amazing trick, little one! You’re a very good hider.”

Ava squeaks twice, and I turn to her. “You agree, right?”

Vos climbs to my arms, while his sister caresses my face with her little horns. I look up at the ceiling and feel the absence of stars, of clouds, of rain. As much as Ava and Vos look fine, they can’t stay here much longer. I’ll have to figure out what’s threatening them. What is it that Katrine is waiting for? Who’s he?

I lie down on the straw, feeling oddly tired. As always, the little dragons snuggle beside me, and I keep wondering what to do with them.

Alayel comes to mind, with his loving words and promises and his explanation as to why we need to keep our relationship secret. I can see his point, but it feels wrong.

As I drift into sleep, the staff comes to mind, shining bright, calling me.

Commander Mallor hasn’t called me yet, and I hope he has forgotten about me. Still, I can’t help but tremble whenever I wonder what he’ll decide to do with me.

This time, Alayel won’t barge into his room. I’ll be at the commander’s mercy. Foros help me.

It’s been almost two days since the bastard prince and I parted ways, and I’m glad I haven’t seen him since. It might be for the best, and help my heart heal faster—not that it has completely healed. Part of me still misses him. Stupid heart.

So far, Alayel hasn’t retaliated against me, and nothing has changed in my position in the academy. True that in the end it will depend on Commander Mallor, and if I keep trying to guess what the man will do, I might die from anxiety.

Tonight is the ball for Cardiana. A ball to celebrate love, and I’m ready to praise the goddess and thank her for all the love that I do have in my life.

With the morning off, I pass by the restaurant to see my brother, but it’s tricky to try to talk to him before the busy lunchtime. At least he still looks fine, healthy, and maybe even happy.

After lunch, I head with Celine and Nelly to the uniform depository, to get our gowns for the ball. I sure hope the woman doesn’t deny me one this time.

There’s already a line forming with female recruits, even though we came as soon as we could.

“Don’t worry,” Celine says. “There isn’t that much difference between the dresses.”

When it’s our turn, Nelly is the first to give her name, and she picks a lovely gown with a velvet skirt. Celine tells me to go next, and I give the attendant my name. The woman looks at her papers, then back at me. “Apologies, but you’re not on this list.”

Just like I feared. “Are you sure?”

Celine clicks her tongue. “But she’s a recruit! She’s even wearing our uniform!”

The woman shakes her head. “Orders. You might want to check with Commander Mallor.”

Oh, that’s the last thing I’ll do. My stomach knots.

“Thanks,” I say, then turn to my friends and whisper, “It’s fine. We can celebrate together later. I don’t want to cause a fuss.”

“But it’s not fair,” Celine whispers back.

I shrug. Part of me is relieved, actually. I don’t want to see Alayel all princely and handsome, pretending I don’t exist at a ball. I mean, at least this time he’d be right to ignore me, but it would still stir unpleasant memories.

“Lots of things are not fair,” I mutter.

Celine gets a pretty dress with a puffy skirt, and we walk back to our dorm. Before we reach our room, Julia and Mariana are waiting for me.

“Come with us,” Mariana says.

Is Alayel trying to get on my good side again? Does he think a dress will convince me to be his mistress? The fact that he assumes that I can be bought for so little agitates the pot of anger living inside me.

“Thank you so much,” I tell the attendants. “But I’d really prefer to get a normal dress, from the depository, and get ready on my own.”