The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 36

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 around to take it

Chapter 96

his own joy. “This is

like he planned it all. Which, I mean,

little living area set before

sits

for which this room was designed. I grin as Jesse

already snuggling into the

me.” Rafe says, grinning 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 for his own privacy. Between the beds are two bureaus, and then two desks, presumably for

even is homework. I have no idea what the coursework will be like here or will everything we do be physical? I honestly

as I consider it, I turn, frowning a

do

looking for it. “Over here, little sister,” Rafe says, grinning

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

passing me and moving towards the hearth. “We

freer

our gendered identities,” Jesse adds helpfully from his place snuggled in his

blankets.

to a little alcove next to the fireplace and pulls back a red velvet curtain, looping it behind an ornate brass hook to hold it back.

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

as is necessary to fit in the space, but just as plush with pillows and blankets. And at the foot of the bed there’s 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 for light. It’s

at home, and instantly in love.

I know it’s small,” Rafe says, running a hand anxiously through his hair, “but we thought you’d want to room with us, and we wanted to give you a little more privacy

arms around his waist. He stumbles back in

head

both study my nook. “Only takes two weeks in

murmurs.

the palace,” I whisper, meaning

got our own apartments or anything. For all of us? This is our first taste of independence, and I know we all

of our beds that just screams mom’s motherly touch, wanting us

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