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 step in, spinning

Chapter 96

with his own joy. “This is amazing!”

he planned it all. Which, I mean, he probably

little living area set before a huge hearth where the

sits

are two huge beds to accommodate the two huge Alphas for which this room was designed. I grin as Jesse folds back the ornate wooden screen that

he shouts, already snuggling into

in the other corner, which has rich velvet drapes all around it that

mean, if there even is homework. I have no idea what the coursework will be like

it, I turn, frowning

do I…

the corner looking for it. “Over here, little sister,” Rafe says, grinning at me as he strides

to me as his sister, but he just shakes his head and

just us in here,” he says, passing me and moving

a bit freer with our words.”

Jesse adds helpfully from his

blankets.

a red velvet curtain, looping it behind an ornate brass hook to hold it back. “You’re in here, Ariel,” he says, stepping back

forward, fascinated, and I gasp softly as I peer into what is just….the sweetest little nook I’ve ever

a small chest of drawers and the world’s tiniest, prettiest iron–and–wood desk situated neatly in the corner with an oil lamp attached to the wall above it

at home, and instantly

hand anxiously through his hair, “but we thought you’d want to room with

at my brother and wrapping my arms around his waist. He stumbles back in

head

me back, rocking me a little in his arms, and I rest my on his broad chest as we both study my

murmurs.

palace,” I

anymore, but it’s not like Rafe or Jesse or I ever really left home and got our own apartments or anything. For all of us? This is our first taste of independence, and I know we all feel excited about it, even if it doesn’t match the luxury we grew

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

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