"Gideon's next move wasn't charm. It was a trap."

The smirk outside my window the night before hadn't been coincidence. By dawn's first light, when the Academy bells rang out across the stone courtyards and students began filing toward the dining hall for morning meal, he was already waiting for me.

I found him lounging against the weathered stone archway that led to the training grounds, positioned perfectly to intercept anyone heading to sword practice or archery lessons. His dark hair ...