He folded the parchment once, twice - neatly, deliberately.

"Prepare the royal horses. I am invited to the circle of the alpha academy in two nights.""

The hall went dead silent.

Kaidan Melrose stood in the open courtyard, face tilted toward the heavens. The moonlight drew sharp lines along his jaw and the white strands of his hair.

Around him, cadets moved like shadows - hurriedly scribbling on crumpled sheets, tying messages to ravens that waited restlessly ...