, nobody in the c

pulled the ground out from under his feet. Around us, dozens of students had frozen in place. A girl clutching a stack of

gold drained out of his ey

oudly, but something in his voice made t

in strained whispers. The girl with the b

xhaled slowly, and when he finally turned back, his expre

ed for the word. "The moon cycle. It affec

somethin

ed to mine. "Wh

in

and I had no idea what it meant. But the way he asked

aid. "I think I

ht have imagined it. "It's a long journey." He gest

ey were trembling, just slightly, and he

lt different

where long tables glowed under hanging lanterns of pale silver light. He showed me the library, whose ceiling was lost in shadow and whose shelves seemed to climb fore

mpires share most lessons, but the dormitories are sep

"Wolves," I repeat

me sidelong. "Y

d it. In the letter. I just didn't thin

Kael said

es

pped. His gray eyes searched my face with an expres

lived with a family. They found me on their porch when I was a

words slid out before I could st

, and for a heartbeat he looked less like a prince and more like someth

ong," he said,

use

" he said again,

only inches away now, close enough that I could see the ring of gold around his irises

towers, deep and resonant, and Kael st

aid hoarsely. "Curfew soon.

rm against the violet sky. Kael led me up a spiral staircase, down a corridor line

e should be in

uld

" He stopped, frowning.

nock, but the door fl

e you

thick auburn braid over one shoulder, a spray of freckles across her nose, and a thin white scar along her jaw that some

e, I hope that's okay, but I can switch, I don't mind, I just like the moon..." She st

that

into the apple and glanced past me. Her eyes

ide," Kael

ed anyone anywher

es

nashamed. "He doesn't usually do the tours. La

He cleared his throat, turned to

" he said quietly, "anythin

," I

something more he wanted to say. Then he turned and strode back d

w whistle and pull

hing from the Night Wing kitchen unless you know what's in it. Third rule..." She dropped the apple core into a bin and regarded me

dropped.

er bed, her amber eyes gentle. "But I don

ven know w

id softly. "That's

er braid half undone and her feet tangled i

, silver moon. Without night and day, I couldn't tell how many hours had p

r my shirt. It was cool now, quiet, as

lack roses glittered in the frost. The

t tower, far above the rest,

e stood

vy cloak that moved faintly in the wind. I couldn't see his face from here. B

looking

istakable, burning gold, the exact same go

the glass, my breath

, silent and patient, like a wolf who has finally fou