Chapter 36

I hurry along with my brother and my cousin, staring around at the stone hallway that meets in gothic arches above our heads, at the windows scattered along the right–hand wall that look out over the landscape.

I grin, because I thought I’d gotten used to the view from the barracks – but this high? I feel like I can see everything, and the wide grey landscape around the castle is desolate and gorgeous in its own way. My steps slow despite me as I wander over to one of the windows, which looks north towards the palace, towards home, where mom and dad are –

And Mark and Junic too – god, how long as it been since I thought about them I’m a bad big sister-

“Ari!” I jump a little at Rafe’s frustrated bark and then laugh and hurry along to catch up.

We wind our way up the staircase at the far end of the hall, two stories which I’m pleased to see takes my breath away less than I thought it would. I guess two weeks of workouts really has helped me out in regards to my fitness, at least a little bit.

But when we get to the top of the staircase – which must be the highest level of the

Rafe strides eagerly down the hall, leading us to a broad wooden door at the center. I glance around, but don’t see many other doors on this level.

castle

“Are we, like, alone up here?” I ask, curious.

“It’s a more private floor,” Rafe answers, inserting the key in the lock and deftly twisting it. “But, the suites are meant to accommodate more than one Cadet, so they’re a little larger.”

The lock clicks and Rafe grins at me before opening the door.

“Jesse, Ari,” he says, proud and eager, “welcome home.”

And then he pushes the door open, and my jaw feels like it hits the floor.

“Oh my god,” I breathe as I step into what has to be the most gorgeous room I’ve

ever seen.

on the floor along with my pack as I

Chapter 96

laughing with his own joy. “This

he planned it

high steepled ceilings like the arches outside. At the center of the room is a lovely little living area set before a huge hearth where the logs are already laid out for a fire, ready to keep us warm. A set of worn furniture couches and chairs

sits

huge Alphas for which this room was designed. I grin as Jesse folds back the ornate wooden screen that sets his little

yeah, this one’s mine!” he shouts, already snuggling into the wealth of blankets and

tossing his box down on the bed in the other corner, which has rich velvet drapes all around it that he can draw together

there even is homework. I have no idea what the coursework will

it, I

do

looking for it. “Over

me as his sister, but he just shakes his head and smiles at

he says, passing me

freer with our words.”

gendered identities,” Jesse adds helpfully from his

blankets.

though, Rafe moves to a little alcove next to the fireplace and pulls back a red velvet curtain, looping it

walk forward, fascinated, and I gasp softly as I peer into what is just….the sweetest

there’s a small chest of drawers and the

at home, and

anxiously through his hair, “but we thought you’d want to room with us, and we wanted to give you

it!” I shout, hurling myself at my brother and wrapping my arms around his waist. He stumbles back in surprise, but laughs and puts his arms around me

head

study my nook. “Only takes two weeks in the barracks to be impressed with a little alcove,

murmurs.

palace,” I whisper, meaning it.

home and got our own apartments or anything. For all of us?

heaped on each of our beds that just screams mom’s motherly touch,

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