Soraya's POV
Morning light filtered through the silken curtains, gilding the edges of my reflection as I fastened the clasp of my robe. The bruises of last night — both on my heart and my thoughts — lingered, but I refused to let them show.
Today wasn't about Ethan.
Or the crown.
Or the chaos the coronation had left in its wake.
Today was about me — and the beginning of something I'd made up my mind to do.
To join the Academy.
I straightened my posture, slipped on my cloak, and stepped out of the chamber. The two guards posted outside immediately bowed.
"Take me to Ares's chambers," I ordered.
Without a word, they fell into step — one ahead, one behind — their boots echoing down the polished marble corridor. The palace felt strange this morning: too clean, too quiet, like the calm before a storm that no one dared name aloud.
We stopped before a heavy oaken door, carved with the Blackwolf crest. I hesitated for only a breath before knocking twice.
