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Chapter 48
~Valerie’s POV~
The dorm living room was unusually calm for once. Soft golden evening light filtered through the large windows, giving the space a warm, hazy glow as everyone sat there, busy with one thing or another.
A cup of tea sat forgotten beside me, cooling. The occasional tapping of laptop keyboards was the only sound between us.
Astraea was curled up on the floor, laptop balanced on her crossed legs, eyes locked on her screen as she typed out something that looked far too boring to be casual browsing.
Homework. Must be nice.
Meanwhile, mine was far from school-related.
I propped my laptop on my thighs, screen dimmed low, scrolling discreetly through forums and maps—tracking routes, disguises, and, most importantly, underground clubs—those hidden, quiet, and safe ones, the kind that dealt in secrets, not drinks.
I was halfway through planning how not to get caught again when Emerald’s voice suddenly rang out.
"Astraea?"
Astraea hummed absently, still typing.
Emerald leaned forward on the couch, head tilted. "Where were you after the race? You kinda disappeared. Were you happy to see our princess again?"
That made me freeze.
My fingers hovered over the trackpad mid-scroll. Wait. Princess?
I blinked and whipped my head toward Astraea. "What?"
Astraea paused her typing and looked up, caught off guard. "Huh?"
"You’re a fae?" I asked slowly, like I needed the words to make sense in my own ears first.
Astraea flashed her signature grin. "As fae-ish as I’ve ever been since birth."
I gawked. "You didn’t think to mention this earlier?"
Isla raised a brow and added casually, "You didn’t know she’s fae?"
I shook my head, honestly baffled. "Not a clue."
Astraea laughed and shut her laptop. "Well, it’s not something we wear on our sleeves. Unless we want to. Besides, it is understandable, you are new here."
And then she proved her point.
She closed her eyes—and instantly, her body shimmered, soft orange light dancing along her skin.
Her hair shifted slightly, catching the light until a bold orange streak appeared. Her ears elongated subtly, poking out through her hair as she tucked it behind one ear.
I blinked again, this time slower.
She wasn’t just fae. She was Fae.
My eyes roamed the glowing rune-like patterns now etched faintly on her arms, thigh, leg, and neck, like sunlight had inked her skin.
"Beautiful," I said softly, meaning it.
Emerald chuckled from across the room. "You’ve never seen a fae in their true form, have you?"
Although I did not know why Astraea mentioned it rather than answering, I felt she might have been giddy about announcing her link to royalty.
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