After an uneventful morning of pulse control lessons with Magister Crowold, my hunger for knowledge was not satisfied. And so, I found myself walking deeper down the corridor, towards the familiar mahogany door.

  The training hall felt hollow without Magister Valdosta. Too big, too quiet.

  I closed the door and stepped to the center, bending to activate the containment runes—just as I'd seen Valdosta do before blasting shockwaves at me.

  A laugh threatened to escape. I never thought I'd miss the cantankerous giant.

  With Hana gone, he was the only part of my routine that felt familiar.

  I opened the notebook to the exact part I would be taking to the practice today.

  With an exhale, I settled the notebook at the edge of the circle of runes and rolled up my sleeves.

  Detecting the surrounding energy felt like second nature. To get the energy to vibrate proved to be a challenge, if only for a minute. Slowly, the air between my open palms began to buzz with energy—I could barely describe what it felt like. If it was Crowold, he would probably describe it as a shiver outside the body. A storm that was gathering at a specific point between my hands.

  The shiver grew into a tremor, and as I pushed further, my fingers visibly tensing, a small cracking sound began forming in front of me. Still, no flames.

  I tried to exhale my disappointment out.

  I had set the doll on fire! In more than one occasion. Once was accidentally, but the second one had been deliberate, even if I didn't know the name of what I was doing. Or that it could be done.

  After reading through my notes a few more times and making adjustments to my posture, my breathing and even the direction of my hands, it finally hit me—the energy! The doll had been easy to set on fire since it contained energy I could agitate.

  Fire required fuel. Agitation most likely required something to unsettle.

  With a quick glance to the energy embedded crystal dangling from my bracelet I unclasped it and positioned it on the floor.

  In less than five seconds, the crystal was glowing with golden flames dancing on its small surface.

  A rush—hotter than the flames—tore through me. I felt taller, broader. For a moment, the flames seemed to take the shape of a woman dancing freely, wildly... unrestrained and unbothered. I was mesmerised and only snapped out of it when the flames licked the sensitive skin of my palm.

  With a sharp inhale, I jerked my hand away.

  The flames continued their dance.

  "Damn," I muttered, realising I now had to extinguish the flame. My eyes found a small water basin at the far end of the hall.

  But... surely I could do this more efficiently.

  I extended my uninjured hand to feel the energy fuelling the fire. I found it immediately, and started to pull. And just like the trees in the forest, the flame died before me.

  By the end of the day, I had successfully set a few things on fire—some twigs, the wood at my fireplace, a crystal at the bottom of my bathtub to heat up the water and a piece of paper.

  I was not willing to consider my experiment with the paper a success. I had tried to test myself for control by burning a star pattern on the paper; instead, my attempt had resulted in a charred pattern that resembled lightning or a branch.

  I would keep practicing. Not out of necessity or even usefulness, really, but as the only piece of magic training I did simply because I enjoyed it, and because I could do it. Watching the flames arise and move to my command felt liberating while simultaneously sharpening my focus and control. It required for me to empty my mind and focus on the present.

  The New Year's Eve arrived just two days later.

  The preparations felt like a fever-induced nightmare. Layers of silk. Careful hands. Endless adjustments. At some point Cilia was at my hair, another maid tightening the laces at my back, someone debating jewels as if gemstones alone could alter destiny.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  I endured it.

  By the time I was ushered toward the foyer, I felt less like a daughter and more like an offering.

  Father was already waiting at the entrance.

  "I have informed your grandfather about the possible union with House Orapher," he said once the carriage crossed the Aethel River.

  "Did he have anything to say about the Merwoods?"

  "He has handled the matter with their head of house. We have secured time. For now, our focus will be House Orapher."

  I clenched my jaw. I doubted Darius had ever endured the indignity of being assessed and paired like livestock.

  "All you need to concern yourself with is becoming acquainted with Eryx and making a favorable impression. Particularly on Lord and Lady Orapher."

  Father must have misinterpreted my silence for he continued with a tone that barely suggested comforting.

  "You have an impeccable education and an unblemished reputation. You lack none of the qualities the Oraphers would value in a future Lady of their House."

  Except for who my mother was.

  I would be presented like a bolt of flawless silk, embroidered in gold... and marked by a stain no one ever forgot.

  I wondered whether they would overlook it for the sake of aligning with my family.

  And whether I could ensure they did not.

  Escaping the Merwoods, if necessary, seemed manageable.

  Escaping the oldest and most influential house in Belaria would not be.

  A few cameras flashed as we ascended the marble steps. After the customary greetings, we were efficiently escorted across lantern-lit pathways toward the Solstice Pavilion.

  The glass dome reflected the warm light of the enchanted candles which, alongside the soft piano playing and the scent of the strategically placed winter jasmine, created an intimate atmosphere.

  My eyes glided over the guests to see who was attending.

  The members of House Holdston stood near the eastern archway. Theodoor among among them standing taller than I remembered, chin lifted with practiced assurance. I had not seen him since the failed mission in early October. He seemed... recovered.

  Marcus Alvane hovered nearby, as expected, orbiting the older mages with quiet desperation to be included.

  Pathetic.

  The russet haired Lord Devin and his two sons were engaged in conversation with a couple of dark skinned gentlemen I did not recognise.

  Much to my disappointment, neither of the Cassel twins seemed to be in attendance.

  My father's hand on my arm snapped me out of my observations.

  "President Aurelis," he greeted smoothly, guiding me toward the silver-haired man standing near the central fountain, "what a remarkable gathering."

  "Lord Velmire, Lady Velmire." His cerulean eyes were deceptively warm. "I trust you find the Pavilion agreeable."

  "It most certainly is breathtaking. The universe seems to have gifted us a perfect clear night sky tonight, and the glass dome frames it beautifully."

  President Aurelis nodded, observing me with a smile. "The rumours of your beauty don't do you enough justice, young lady. Each year you become even more beautiful." He turned to Father. "And I've heard you've outdone yourself with her education, Thessalian."

  Father preened. "Our House has always believed the education of our young to be of the utmost importance. And Alya has proved herself capable."

  I wanted to scoff. I wondered if Grandfather, too, spoke so highly of me only when there was an audience.

  My smile stayed warm and pleased as they continued exchanging pleasantries and information about the other guests.

  "I have spoken to my father about it. He will be taking the matter into his own hands," affirmed Father.

  I turned to him. What would Grandfather do?

  President Aurelis's white eyebrows rose a fraction as he nodded pensively. "Yes, that would be for the best. One can never be too thorough."

  I pretended to be engrossed observing the golden decorations and the marble statues.

  "...week..." I could hardly hear them over the music and conversations around us. Whatever they were discussing they didn't want to be overheard.

  Their quick exchange finished before I could try to make sense of it. The only piece of useful information I got was the mention of Senator Clain.

  "Lady Alya," I turned to the older mage, youthful smile in place. "Enjoy the rest of the evening, dearest. Lord Velmire, I hope you join me and a group of friends for a cigar after the midnight toast."

  "It will be my pleasure." They exchanged a curt bow before Father guided me across the room.

  I didn't have time to ponder on their cryptic exchange as we began our customary greeting tour.

  Just as my smile began to ache from endless greetings, I caught sight of a familiar face near the dessert table.

  I turned to father with hopeful eyes.

  "Father, would you mind? I just saw my dear friend, Lady Caltheris."

  With a curt nod, I was mildly free.

  Aester was near a table, delicately picking some mignon pastries to pair with her wine.

  "Lady Caltheris," I deepened my voice as I whispered in her ear.

  I bit back a laugh behind my hand at her alarmed expression.

  "Alya!" She laughed before embracing me. "How lovely to see you here! I told Father and Thaddeus I was certain you would be attending!"

  Aester guided me to the table where her father and fiancé were seated.

  "Oh, Lady Alya," greeted the man with impeccable brown hair and bright hazelnut eyes. "Aester has spoken very highly of you, I was looking forward to meeting you. Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Thaddeus Morgan."

  "The pleasure is mine. I, too, was looking forward to meeting the lucky man who captured my friend's heart."

  Aester was smiling brightly, and for a second I wished I could spend the rest of the night in their company. Until my eyes fell on Lord Caltheris.

  Behind the smile, the warm tone and the pleasant words... the eyes. There was something sharp, bitter.

  My heart shuddered.

  It was very well concealed, but I had seen veiled looks like that one since I was a child. I knew what they meant and how to spot them immediately.

  I turned to look at Aester. There was none of that in her expression.

  Perhaps... I'd imagined it?

  No. I knew better than to question my intuition.

  I smiled. "Aester, it's so lovely that I met you and your family here! I'm afraid I must go back to Father now, but I hope we will reunite later on."

  Her eyebrows end lips lowered in a cute expression of disappointment. I couldn't help but smile genuinely. "Oh... Of course. But you must promise me I'll see you later!"

  I squeezed her hand. "Of course."

  I bid everyone at the table farewell and made my way back to Father.

  Of course, I made a detour as one of the waiters carrying flutes with champagne passed by me.

  Flute in hand, I admired the statues and floral arrangements of the Pavilion.

  "Alya?" I stopped mid sip and tuned with a raised eyebrow. There were few who'd dare to call me so casually.

  "Uncle Faeris, it's been too long," I inclined my head just a fraction.

  "Alya, Thessalian is looking for you."

  No, he wasn't. He had sent his younger brother to do it. I allowed my lips to stretch into a smile that fell just short of being arrogant. It seemed to perfectly mirror his.

  Darius and aunt Calista were with Father when we approached them.

  "Alya," Father's hand settled between my shoulder blades.

  Oh.

  And so the real evening began.