ding into the corridor beyond. Aurelia waited until the last student had gone before mov

p close, the woman seemed taller than she had from a distance, her presence contained yet c

aying," Elara sai

she hadn't before: the faint crease at the corner of Elara's mouth when she concentrated,

n," Elara continued. "One that

trained smile. "Most of us her

agreed. "Esp

it landed with surprising weight. Aurelia lifted h

ms loosely crossed, not defensive, simply comfortable. "

eself reckless?" Au

ictly necessary. "It can be," she said. "When

liar tightening in her chest, the same pressure she'd lived with for as long

" she asked. "If the price is p

but enough to be human. "Then the question become

d again. Not a

een them. Of how still Elara was. Of how rare

he shift was subtle but unmistakable, lecturer reclaiming her role. "You have an inci

. "I won't di

ct you will,"

wondered if Elara felt it too, the quiet pull, th

a looked

ession serene. Only when she reached the privacy of

hand lightly t

nothing. An engaging lecturer. A st

ush, Aurelia found her thoughts returning-unbidden, to unreada

ra Voss stood by the window overlooking t

haled

crown princess had not been the one she'd prepared for. Nor had she

ra reminded herself. U

r papers, forcing her focus back to the safe, f

would b

ad t

once crossed, coul