were at their quie

rns glowed at measured intervals, casting soft pools of light over trimmed hedges and marble benches. This was one

refused t

Aurelia had known that long before she learned to read. Yet hearing it spoken alo

d fade. Leadership, restraint, sacrifice. All concepts she under

to the stones if you k

ia tu

knowing smile on her lips. Her closest friend had perfected th

e I was pacing

eleste replied, pushing off the column and joining

o the water. "Then consider

softly. "That'

nly one you

leste followed Aurelia's line of sight, then spoke a

eath caught,

know what

u only say that when you mean

slowly. "She's

st people challenge you by accident

. "She simply speaks to me as

at her sideways.

didn't

serious. "Lecturers are off-limits. And this on

o face her fully

this," Celeste said softly. "Like you

a look

reread her notes from Elara's lecture. She paused at a margin s

what is wort

the words unti

lf lingering after class once more. This

lia said as Elar

ring briefly before her expressi

sat on her tongue, suddenly fr

posture cautious.

urelia sai

her for a long

as near, but because the question felt delicate

ed slightly. "That

id living?" Aurelia pressed. "If it tu

felt ve

d, her voice was quieter than Aurelia had ev

eyes

lara might say more. Instead, Elar

oday," she said gent

kering before she masked it. As she

ess Au

pa

you ask," Elara said. "So

head. "I suspect th

fore Elara

hall, pulse unsteady, aware that the line she was

h a question asked too