After dinner, Sam said goodbye and left for his home a few blocks away at his mother's bakery. Rowan had agreed to let me cut his hair. The music played softly on the record player in the soft light in our apartment as I cut Rowan's hair, letting the strands of hair fall gently to the wooden floor while Rowan read his book underneath the light. 

"I think I'm not going to take the herb. If Mom finds out, I'm blaming you." I sniped as another strand of hair floated to the ground, Rowan hummed as he flipped a page in his book. 

"Very well Jana, I will take full punishment for you. I just know that this will change everything for you." 

I smiled at him gratefully knowing our mother's wrath is not something to laugh at. "Do you know who is judging the trials this year?" I asked as I finished off his haircut by running a comb through his thick black hair and fluffing it with my hand. 

"I heard Prince Alix is going to be watching over. Even though he's never done so." Rowan said, surprise washed through me at the revelation. Why would Prince Alix have any interest in judging the trials this year? What had sparked it? 

Rowan's green eyes met mine in the mirror as I fiddled with his hair, "The exam is tomorrow sister, are you ready?" I hummed in thought as I searched for a small mirror to show him the back of his head.  " Nervous, but I'll be fine. Hopefully not taking the herbs won't mess me up." I said tentatively, Rowan smiled softly at me and nodded in approval at his hair. 

"It looks lovely Jana. It feels nice to have my hair shorter again." Rowan commented, I grinned back at him and set down the mirror as he stood to face me. Looking me over once, I frowned knowing that something was on his mind and wouldn't be good. 

"I won't be able to see you at all tomorrow, or the next few days for I'll be going on a mission. So I'm giving you this locket as a congratulations. Because I know you'll make it. I'm not allowed to speak of my mission either Jana, but know that I'm rooting for you." Rowan sighed at my crestfallen face. Knowing that my twin won't be there for me after I complete my exam will be hard. But I'll go through with it for him. He is my only family. 

"Do you remember my friend Ryul? He'll be there tomorrow as one of the spectators, find him. He will protect you, and keep close to Sam if he's there too." Rowan ordered, I nodded and hugged him tightly to me, letting my head rest on his chest. I breathed in his scent trying to place it in my memories. Having known him my whole life it wasn't going to be easy to see him off tomorrow. 

In our family Rowan was the closest I'd get to a familial bond the both of us felt like outcasts, never truly belonging while Kenia always got the praise and the love from them both. It saddened me that we never got that, but our bond together keeps us moving one step further. 

"Promise me you'll be safe, no matter where you are," I murmured into his chest. 

"If you look to the North Star Stella Mea, you'll know I'm safe," Rowan said kissing my head and we separated only for Rowan to put the locket around my neck. It was a beautiful silver locket with a bright yet small sapphire in the middle and under the sapphire words in beautiful writing say "Mea est tibi." which means "My family is you. " A lone tear strayed down my cheek sniffling as I clutched it close to my heart and quickly wiped away my tear. 

"Stella mea, I will be fine. My whole squadron is going to be with me. I'm sure there won't be much danger, but we also have our bonds. I promise you I will return to you no matter the circumstance. Rowan promised, cupping my face and kissing my forehead once more, I nodded and looked over him once he let go. 

"Stay with me tonight? Like we were children. It'll set my mind at ease." I breathed out. Rowan smiled gently and took my hand, shutting off the quiet music we headed upstairs to my room. Once in the room, he turned on the candlelight on my side table and drew the curtains. I had slipped off my slippers next to my bed and Rowan did the same as he pulled back the covers and snuggled close to him. 

"I'll be out before dawn, Sam will be here when the sun comes up with breakfast. Make sure you eat." Rowan ordered, I nodded into his chest and snuggled close to him in my small bed, Rowan snuffed out the light and watched until my breathing slowed, and falling into a dreamless sleep. 

***

Rowan was gone by dawn as he said he was, and Sam had knocked on the door as soon as the sun rose. I groaned, stretching away the sleep and squinting around my room. Sun shone brightly through the sheer curtains covering the window, warming the wooden floor below. As I looked more around my room, my gaze zeroed in on the note that was left on my desk across from my bed. 

I'd have to read it later, but if I had to guess it was from Rowan. The knock sounded again, making me throw out some curses at it. Why did he have to be here this early?  I grumbled and threw back my covers and put on my slippers. Making my merry way down the stairs Sam knocked again. 

"Rise and shine sleeping beauty! It's time for test day!" Same called out cheerily, 

How can he be so cheerily? That damn bastard better has brought coffee. 

I made my way down the creaky steps of our apartment and into our entryway. "I'm coming hold on!" I grumbled as I reached the door to unlock our many different locks. Rowan wanted to make sure I'd be safe from strange men while he was away on missions. He even warded the damn apartment from people who were not welcomed in. Once I unlocked them I swung the door open to reveal Sam. Today he was wearing his academy uniform, a black vest, a blue and white tie, and a white shirt underneath it with the patch embroidered into the vest showing off the school colors of blue and white. And his blonde hair was rustled as though he didn't bother to run a comb through it this morning. 

"I take it you're not spectating today?" I asked cocking my head at him but moving aside to let him in. Once I did so, I could immediately smell the freshly baked muffins and bread coming from the parcel Sam held. My mouth salivated at it, and my stomach grumbled making Sam chuckle. 

"You are correct Jana, I have classes today and well, it is the third years that are spectating this time. A long with a few examiners." Sam said as he set down the carefully wrapped parcel on the table and looked up at me. His aqua eyes burned in me, staring right through me as though he knew how rough of a night I had. 

"Rough night?" He asked gently as he continued to unwrap the parcel. 

I shook my head, "Rowan left." 

"Ah, I see. I'll try to prepare you as best as I can Jana, but everything is set to be different this year. They changed a lot." He breathed out as he started to reveal the blueberry muffins, colorful macaroons, and freshly baked cranberry bread. 

"What do you mean different?"  I asked him as I sat down to help myself, Sam sighed frustratedly. Whatever news he had learned in the past few days had ruffled him. His worried gaze met mine. 

"From what I've heard at the academy it's not going to be like your normal exam at grade school. It's going to be a trial but with questions you have to answer. But it could be all speculation, either way, you were built for this." Sam said confidence glowing inside of him. Even without my ability, you could tell how confident he was in me. 

"I'm rooting for you Jana, I'd even put up a few silver credits on you." He smirked at me and leaned to take a muffin, unwrapping the wrap. 

"Don't let your poor mother hear you gambling for me. It won't do her any good," I chuckled as I bit into a macaroon, Sam made a face at me, which only made me laugh harder. 

"Speaking of which, here's that herbology book you asked for. " Sam said handing me a leather-bound book that said 'A Guide to Herbs in the Wild.'   

"Thank you, I'll be sure to keep it close to me." I smiled softly at him and moved the book to the side. Sam and I continued to prepare for the exam as best we could. As we didn't know what would happen. So we'd have to prepare as much as possible. Hearing that the king and the prince are going to be watching the raiders closely, scares me a little. Wondering why they would have so much interest in this years trial. 

By the time we were done eating, I was able to get ready for the day in training leathers. I would like to be as comfortable as possible for the exam. After getting ready we headed over to the Raider's Academy, for the exam to enter the trials. I just hope that whatever happens won't be life or death. But I have a feeling it will be. I sighed out loud as we reached the academy, the nerves reaching me. 

"Whatever happens in the exam Jana, know that I'm betting on you. As well as Rowan. We're on your side, just be careful." Sam breathed out as he held my shoulders. I nodded as tears started to brim my eyes, I managed a sniffle and wiped away the emotion. I have to be strong for both of them. My chosen family. 

"Hey! You two over there! Are you exam takers?" A male fae called out to us as me and Sam broke apart from our hug. The tall fae trotted over to us, he was wearing the spectator's uniform which consisted of a wool blue vest over a white shirt with a tie, his pants were white slacks. With the school emblem emblazoned on it. 

"I'm already 2nd year in this academy, she's taking the exam." Sam jerked his head to me. The fae's eyes shot towards me and looked me up and down, nodding once in what seemed like approval or wariness 

"Very well, the name is Claye Rostara, I'm one of the spectators showing the rookies where to go for the exam," Claye said shaking my hand in greeting. 

"Jana Pethrice, is it true that the exam is different?" I asked as Claye and I broke apart the handshake. 

"We should take a move on before we're late say your goodbyes and we'll be on our way," Claye said dodging the question at hand, I narrowed my eyes but went to go hug Sam once more. 

"Good luck Jana, We're rooting for you." Sam breathed out in my ear, I nodded and squeezed him once and followed Claye through the grounds of the academy, at least I tried too his long legs were hard to keep up with. Claye said nothing more for a long moment, as he led us through the courtyard. Where the sun shined, and many flowers bloomed along the pathway towards the fountain. Many students seemed to be mingling in the courtyard before they went to their classes. 

Most first years stayed in the dorms, but Rowan and I decided to board together because we didn't want to be separated. Claye surprised me by answering my earlier question. "I'm not allowed to speak about that Pethrice. It's top secret." Claye said I raised a curious brow at his tone but decided against asking any more questions about the exam. 

The nerves started to rise making my palms sweat. I haven't had any magical reaction yet after not taking the herb. My expectation was shot to the ground as I thought an explosion would've happened by now. After years of not having it, you would expect it to react terribly. But it seems quite tame for now. Though when it will come into play, we shall find out. I only hope that it's not too late.