I take a spot on a large, comfortable couch by a window lined with decorative silver filigree. A magically blue-tinged fire burns in the hearth beside me, warming me even as the night’s chill seeps through the castle walls. By some miracle of magic, the water that always runs down the walls here has started to get warmer, and now it gives off wisps of steam as it runs down the walls, heating the tower slightly.

I itch to read my unbound book as I wait for the others to show, but I know it would be insanity to pull it out here. I only read the book at night when Mireen is asleep or on nights when she's out sharing someone else's bed. Thankfully, she doesn't ever bring her partners to our room.

Older students come in and disappear up the side stairs that lead to the private sections of the common room. I see a few aspirants and legacies also passing through the general common room to their private areas as well. There are only a handful of other first-year water offerings in the room, and they're clustered together on the far side with books spread out, studying for one of many upcoming tests.

It's half an hour before Mireen, Beck, and Ambrose have all joined me. Mireen sits beside me, offering to fix my braid—which was nearly pulled out of my head during sparring this morning. Beck and Ambrose take the single seats opposite our couch, leaning in, eyes and faces intent.

"Okay," Beck says. He glances to his side, seeming to confirm the others in the common room aren't close enough to listen in. "Spill it."

And I do, though I omit a few choice details. I tell them about Malakai's attack and the giant creature. I even tell them how it healed my wound and saved us with a raft of water magic. I don't talk about the powers I used, admit I sort of saved Malakai's life, or tell them the creature had already been visiting me in my nightmares for weeks.

But the story is sensational enough that they don't seem to sense I've left anything out.

Ambrose sits back, a crease forming between his brows as he taps his chin in thought.

Beck lets out a low whistle, giving me a look like he's seeing me for the first time.

Mireen's pace as she braids my hair slows and eventually stops as the story hits the most dangerous parts.

"Gods, Nessa," Mireen says. "I thought all the stories I was hearing were bullshit. People were even talking about it in the dining hall. Someone said you gave Rector Voss the finger as you rode away on a water dragon."

I grin. "I’ve never even seen the Rector, let alone made vulgar gestures at him.”

"So Malakai was just… on the raft with you when you woke up?" Beck asks. "Did he try to come at you again?"