The walk back from the terrace wasn't long, but it felt like the whole Academy was shifting its weight around him. Eyes tracked him from doorways and balconies, some curious, some calculating, some openly wary now. Whatever the Houses thought they knew about Coren Vale before — that had just changed.
Mira was still talking at the speed of panic.
"You REFUSED them. Refused FELDREN. Cor— I mean—Coren, that's like refusing gravity. They don't make offers. They don't even make suggestions. You said no to a House that basically eats uncertainty for breakfast!"
He didn't slow. "Good."
"GOOD?!" She ran to keep up. "Oh, wonderful, yes, let's wave at the angry disciplined murder-gods and tell them 'no thank you, I'm full.' Perfect plan."
Atrius caught up more quietly. "Mira. Breathe."
"You breathe! I'm having a crisis!"
Atrius ignored her and matched pace with Coren. "You held the sphere without destabilization?"
"Yes."
Atrius stared at him for a long moment. "…Damn."
