When Jaya emerged onto the senior wing, she saw Dr. Waverly was right about the floors being identical. Even the common area was the same as the one on Isha’s floor, except for a popcorn machine in one corner. A few students sat talking on the sofa, but none of them glanced up as she walked past. Jaya followed the hallway to room 301, and used the key Dr. Waverly had given her to let herself in.

Her room looked comfortable enough. A bed made neatly with soft green linens was tucked into the corner. An ornate-but-functional desk, ready with the newest Mac laptop and a lamp, stood across from it. Jaya walked to the picture window and gazed down into the gardens, her hands shaking just the slightest bit as it finally hit her.

She was here. She’d crossed a big hurdle already, without even trying: she’d met people who knew Grey Emerson and had been invited to sit with them. As far as Appa and Amma knew, they’d gone to St. Rosetta’s to get away from the constant media attention, to give Isha a break from the relentless circus her life had become, thanks to Grey’s family. Jaya felt only slightly guilty at having withheld some very important information from her parents. And just a touch proud. She could have been a spy if she wanted to. (But naturally she didn’t. That wasn’t a fitting profession for a royal.)

The scandal had broken right before summer vacation, and the public outcry showed no signs of remitting. Appa’s face had been drawn and sallow. “I really do think the wisest course of action is for you to go with Isha to St. Rosetta’s International Academy. They’re used to this kind of thing there. It’s the best place for her now, Jaya. At least until everyone forgets. The astrologer says you’ll be safe there.”

“I agree with you, Appa,” Jaya had replied, though hearing the once-proud Maharaja Adip Rao concede defeat made her stomach curdle like sour milk. The blood of so many great Rao rulers ran through Appa’s veins, and hers. They were cut from the same cloth; surrender didn’t even usually occur to them.

That was when Jaya had realized that the Emersons hadn’t just sullied her sister’s reputation; they’d stolen something sacred. They’d tainted the essence of her family, the very pride and honor and strength that made them who they were.