Page 73 of City of Secrets and Shadows
“Valeria. Bright morning to you,” I said, keeping my voice neutral.
She stood flanked by her usual companions — Cassia and Drusilla — their matching expressions of disdain carefully practiced. Behind them, I noticed several male cadets watchingwith anticipation, including Lord Varin, whose family held lands somewhere in the western provinces. Not powerful enough to matter, but wealthy enough to be dangerous.
“We were just discussing your... innovative approach to the water trial,” Valeria continued, loud enough to ensure nearby tables could hear. “So brave to show everyone exactly what not to do.”
Drusilla laughed, a little too enthusiastically. “I’ve never seen someone sink that fast with all their limbs still working.”
I let the comment slide off me like water from oiled leather. “If you’re this interested in my performance, perhaps you should focus more on your own training.”
“Oh, we are,” Cassia interjected, stepping forward with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “After all, we’ll need to be at our best for the rescheduled trial.”
My stomach tightened. “Rescheduled?”
“You hadn’t heard?” Valeria’s voice dripped with false concern. “Commander Ferris announced it at yesterday’s assembly. The water trial will be held again in three days’ time. A special opportunity for those who…” she paused meaningfully, “...need a second chance.”
I kept my expression impassive, though internally I was already dreading another humiliation in the water. I’d had no instruction, no guidance on what I’d done wrong. They were setting me up to fail again.
“How thoughtful of the Commander,” I said coolly. “I’ll be sure to thank him personally.”
I turned to continue toward the serving tables, only to find my path blocked by Lord Varin, who had glided into position with practiced ease. Up close, his features were sharp and predatory beneath carefully styled dark hair.
“Lady Cantius,” he said with an exaggerated bow that bordered on mockery. “Perhaps what you need isproper instruction. Someone of... appropriate standing who understands the finer points of academy training.”
His gaze travelled over me in a way that had nothing to do with academic assistance. I’d encountered his type in the arena — men who equated power with entitlement, who viewed women as conquests rather than equals, and I had no inclination to allow myself to be used in such a way again.
“I appreciate your concern, Lord Varin,” I replied, “but I prefer to solve my own problems.”
He stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Are you certain? I could make your time here much more... pleasant. I’ve noticed you lack proper connections among the nobility.”
Before I could respond with something that would undoubtedly create a new enemy, another voice cut through the tension.
“Varin, I believe you’re blocking the path to the morning bread. Some of us are actually hungry.”
Jalend stood a few paces away, his expression bored rather than confrontational. He wasn’t looking at Varin but at the serving tables beyond, as if the entire scene was beneath his notice. The casual dismissal in his tone was more effective than any direct challenge could have been.
Varin hesitated, clearly measuring the political cost of challenging Jalend Northreach. No one had heard of him, but the rumours now were of a private but extremely wealthy and influential family that had the ear of the Emperor, and it was amusing to see how the other minor nobles strained to discover whether they should mock him or flatter him.
After a moment, he inclined his head with exaggerated courtesy.
“Of course. Far be it from me to come between a man and his breakfast.” He stepped aside, but not before giving me one last meaningful look. “My offer stands, Lady Cantius.”
I moved past him without acknowledgment, feeling Valeria’s glare burning into my back.
“Three days, Cantius,” she called after me. “Try not to embarrass yourself again. Or us.”
Jalend fell into step beside me as I reached the serving tables. “The bravery of the petty nobility never ceases to amaze me,” he drawled. “So valiant when attacking in packs.”
I glanced at him, surprised by the intervention. We’d barely spoken since our brief encounter after my initial water trial failure. “Thank you, though I could have handled it.”
“Oh, I have no doubt.” He selected a roll from the bread basket with fastidious care. “But watching you eviscerate Varin might have delayed breakfast, and I’m particularly hungry this morning.”
His tone was light, almost disinterested, yet he’d chosen to stand beside me in a clear social statement to the watching academy students. It wasn’t friendship exactly, but it was... something.
“You’re attending the flight trials today?” he asked, not looking at me as he assembled his breakfast on a plate.
“Yes. Though given my performance in water, expectations are likely to be low.”
A hint of a smile crossed his face. “Perhaps that’s advantageous. Nothing quite like surprising one’s critics.” He nodded toward an empty table near the window, away from Valeria’s group. “Care to join me? I find the morning air improves digestion considerably, and the company elsewhere leaves much to be desired.”
