Page 32 of City of Secrets and Shadows
“House Cantius,” she said, not looking up. “From the southern provinces, yes? A minor house, if memory serves.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied. “Our estates are in the Valerian district.”
She made a noncommittal sound. “And your dragon — acquired how? The records state acquisition twelve years ago?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She glanced over at the pens, studying Sirrax closely. “He seems to be much older than twelve.”
“He was already grown when my father acquired him,” I said.
“You bonded with an adult male dragon?” She raised her eyebrows. “I’ve never heard of a rider bonding to anything other than a new hatchling.” My heart rate quickened.
“Sirrax bonded unusually quickly,” I said. “The dragon keeper who oversaw the process said he’d never seen anything like it.”
She looked up sharply. “Which keeper would this be?”
“Master Darius of the Eastern Hatcheries,” I replied, using the name Septimus had provided.
“Darius is getting old,” she remarked. “His records are sometimes... imprecise.”
She held one document up to the light, examining the seal with narrowed eyes. I maintained my relaxed posture through sheer force of will, though every instinct screamed to prepare for a fight.
“This endorsement,” she said. “From Prefect Quintilius. His seal seems... different from what I recall.”
“The Prefect recently commissioned a new seal after the old one was damaged,” I improvised smoothly. “Perhaps you haven’t seen the updated version yet.”
She studied my face for a long moment. I met her gaze without flinching, channelling the same calm I’d developed in the arena when facing an opponent across blood-soaked sand.
Finally, she stamped each document decisively. “Very well, Lady Cantius. Your papers are in order.” She handed me a token bearing the academy insignia. “This grants you access to all candidate areas. The women’s changing rooms are through there. You’ll find a training uniform waiting.”
I accepted the token with a polite murmur of thanks, relief washing through me. First barrier cleared.
The changing room was a spacious chamber lined with polished wooden benches and private cubicles. Young women were in various states of undress, exchanging their ornate arrival attire for the simple red-and-gold tunics of academy candidates.
As I entered, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. Conversations faltered. Glances were exchanged. I located an empty cubicle and began changing, maintaining the deliberate movements of someone accustomed to having servants assist but capable of managing independently.
“You must be the provincial with the black dragon,” came a voice from outside my cubicle.
I emerged to find three young women watching me with varying expressions of disdain. The speaker was tall and willowy with skin a shade lighter than mine and sleek black hair arranged in an elaborate style despite the upcoming physical trials. Flanking her were a redhead with sharp features and a shorter girl with dark curls and generous curves.
“I’m Livia Cantius,” I said, offering a measured smile.“Valeria Proxima,” the first woman replied without returning the smile. “House Proxima has produced seven Dragon Elite captains over the past century. This is Cassia Murena and Drusilla Vibius,” she added, indicating her companions with a careless gesture.
I inclined my head politely. “An honour to meet you all.”
“Where did you say you were from again?” asked Cassia, the redhead, her tone making clear that wherever it was, it hardly mattered.
“The southern provinces. Valerian district.”
“Oh, the provinces,” Drusilla said, as though that explained everything. “That explains the... unique style of your riding gear.”
I glanced down at the perfectly serviceable attire Octavia had commissioned. It was well-made but admittedly lacked the custom tailoring and subtle embellishments that marked the others’ equipment. I changed into it at the shepherd’s hut when Septimus and Tarshi had left, not wanting to walk through the city dressed that way in case we attracted attention sooner than we wanted.
“Function over fashion,” I replied with a shrug I immediately regretted. Such casualness would never come from a noble, even a provincial one.
“Well, I suppose that’s one approach,” Valeria said with a thin smile. “Though in the capital, one generally tries to achieve both.” She looked me up and down. “Your dragon is... impressive. Rather large, isn’t he? Almost... vulgar in his proportions.”
“He suits me,” I said, struggling to maintain my composure in the face of her veiled insults.
