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.

my box immediately on the floor along with my pack

Chapter 96

says, laughing with his own joy. “This is

like he planned it all.

mouth with my hands as I stare around the gorgeous room, which has 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 before the

sits

far corners of the room, are two huge beds to accommodate the two huge Alphas for which this room was designed. I grin as Jesse folds back

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

all around it that he can draw together for his own privacy. Between the beds are two bureaus, and then two

have no idea what the coursework will be like here or will

I consider it, I turn, frowning a little.

where do I…

about a match box, but…I turn to the corner looking for it. “Over here, little sister,” Rafe

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

me and moving towards the

freer with

helpfully from his place snuggled in

blankets.

add any comment, though, Rafe moves 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.

fascinated, and I gasp softly as I peer into what

there’s a small chest of drawers and the world’s

home,

I know it’s small,” Rafe says, running a hand anxiously through his hair, “but we thought you’d want to room with

wrapping my arms around his waist. He stumbles back in surprise, but laughs and puts his arms around me too. “I love it, Rafe, it’s

head

hugs me back, rocking me a little in his arms, and I rest my on his broad chest as we both study my nook. “Only takes two weeks in the barracks to be impressed with

murmurs.

this is way better than the palace,”

kids 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

well, some of it. The amount of pillows and linens heaped on each of our beds that just screams

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