“Tarshi,” he greeted me before turning curious eyes to my companions. “I see you’ve brought new friends.”
“They found their own way here,” I clarified. “Through Suura.”
Korden studied them carefully. “New faces are always welcome, provided they come with open hearts and careful tongues.”
“You have my word,” Livia said, meeting his gaze steadily.
Something in her demeanour must have satisfied him, for he nodded once. “We’ll be dispersing soon. The Imperial patrols increase after midnight. Remember, no more than three leave together, and take different routes.”
As he moved to speak with others, Livia turned to me. “How long have you known about these meetings?”
“Only since yesterday,” I admitted. “Suura approached me at the market when she saw my... features. She recognized what I was and invited me here. This is my first time attending.”
Understanding dawned in her eyes. “So that’s where you were earlier — I looked for you at the academy.”
“Yes,” I said quietly. “I didn’t feel like returning last night.”
She hesitated, clearly wanting to say more. “Tarshi, I—”
“Not here,” I interrupted gently. “There will be time.”
Uncertainty clouded her expression. “Will there?”
“Yes,” I said with more conviction than I truly felt. “There will be.”
The promise hung between us, fragile but sincere. Then Octavia was tugging at her arm, and the moment passed.
“We need to get back. The academy has its curfew and Septimus will be searching for you by now.”
The mere mention of his name was enough to draw a veil between Livia and myself. He would be searching for her, waiting for her. I took a deep breath.
“Then let’s get going. We’ll need to hurry.”
“You’re coming back with us?” Livia asked.
Octavia rolled her eyes. “Why wouldn’t he? He’s still officially your slave. Now come on!”
She dragged Livia towards the door. I stood for a moment, trying to compose myself, and then Suura moved beside me.
“She’s important to you,” she said when I approached.
“Yes.” There seemed no point in denial.
“Dangerous, bringing academy nobles into our circle.” Her tone held caution rather than accusation. She’d clearly overheard our conversation. We needed to be more careful, even here.
“She’s not what she appears,” I said carefully.
Suura studied me. “Few of us are.” She touched my arm briefly. “Be careful, Tarshi. The heart can be as dangerous as Imperial spies.”
“I know.” And I did know — had known from the first moment Livia had looked at me with something other than a master’s indifference. Loving her was perhaps the most dangerous choice I had ever made, yet it no longer felt like a choice at all.
19
Iwas already regretting my decision to brave the dining hall rather than have breakfast sent to my quarters. I’d not wanted to face Tarshi and Septimus glaring daggers at each other across the room, so I’d slipped out instead. The moment I stepped through the arched doorway though, I felt eyes shift in my direction. Whispers cascaded between tables like falling dominoes. I kept my chin high, back straight, walking as if I were still in the arena — a warrior indifferent to the crowd’s judgment.
“Well, if it isn’t our champion swimmer,” came Valeria’s voice, sweet as poisoned honey.
I considered ignoring her, continuing to the serving tables without acknowledgment, but that would only encourage her to escalate. Better to face her now, on my terms.
