Aria’s POV

The morning started the way mornings always did in this cursed Academy—loud, annoying, and way too bright for my taste. I sat up on my bed, hair sticking out in every possible direction, and saw Caspian already dressed, boots polished like he was ready for battle. The guy was born ready, I swear.

“You’re up late,” he said, like he hadn’t woken me up at least three times already just by existing too loudly.

“Yeah, well, not all of us patrol the halls at night like ...