Lorelei awoke to Delia standing over her bed, shaking her awake. She peered up at her, blinking to clear her eyes.

            “Time to get up!” Delia announced.

            “That’s wake up time. Get dressed so we can go down to breakfast.”

            Lorelei dragged herself out of bed and complied. She tried to remember the way Darien had shown her how to wrap her gown the night before, but she ended up with everything twisted. Delia untangled her and helped her dress properly.

            After they brushed their teeth and hair and tied on their sandals, they trooped downstairs for breakfast.

            Darien was standing outside the dining hall, leaning against a wall. “Ah, there are my two favorite ladies! How did you sleep?”

            Delia rolled her eyes at her brother. “Fine. What are you doing out here?”

            “Waiting for you two, of course.”

            Lorelei was secretly glad that he had been waiting for them. She tried her hardest not to react, though. She didn’t want her new roommate to know that she had a crush on her twin. She probably wouldn’t like it.

            They went through the line and sat down at a table. “So, what happens next?” Lorelei asked the twins.

            “We go to classes,” Delia informed her.

            “Well, I kind of expected that.”

            “I’ll show you where your classes are. We’ll be in the same classes. That’s why you were assigned as my roommate—because we’re in the same program.”

            “What about you?” Lorelei asked Darien.

            “I’m in a different program. I’m studying history with Clio.”

            After they finished eating, they cleared their plates and placed them in the designated tubs.

            “Ready?” Delia asked.

            “I guess so.”

            “Okay. Let’s go introduce you to Calliope.”

            “Brother?” Lorelei asked.

            “Twin, to be more exact,” Delia clarified.

            Lorelei looked back and forth between the two of them. She did see the resemblance. She just hadn’t noticed before. They had the same thick black hair and stormy grey eyes. “Didn’t you say that you hadn’t been here that long?” she asked Darien. “Your sister seems to have been here a lot longer.”

            “I did arrive a while after Delia. The Temple only began accepting men to study recently.” He paused. “Accepting men as students, I suppose I should say,” he amended. “They don’t study men here.” He laughed.

            “So, how did you two meet?” Delia asked. “Last I saw you, Lorelei, you were planning on hiding in our room all night.”

            “That’s funny, considering the men’s dormitories are one flight up,” Delia said, raising an eyebrow at her twin.

            “I was looking for you!” he exclaimed. “When I found Lorelei instead, I assumed I had the wrong room.”

            “Men aren’t supposed to be in the women’s hall,” she reminded him.

            “I was looking for you,” he repeated. “It’s not a crime to try to find my sister, is it?”

            “What did you need me for?” she asked.

            “I can’t remember.”

            Delia laughed. “I guess Lorelei could have that effect on you.” She turned to Lorelei, who had remained silent during their exchange. “He likes pretty girls.”

            Lorelei laughed uncomfortably. She didn’t know how to respond, but Delia continued. “Well, since you’re out of the room now, let’s find you some food. You’re probably starving and we’ll need to get to bed soon.” She took Lorelei’s elbow and stared at Darien. “I can take it from here.”

            He grinned. “I’m sure you can, but I’ll still be joining you.” He winked at Lorelei. “That is, if you don’t mind.”

            She quickly nodded her assent. She wanted to get to know him better, even though his sister seemed to be against it. It was definitely an offer she couldn’t refuse.

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            Darien knocked on Lorelei’s door. “Doing okay in there?”

            She threw the mess of fabric over her shoulders. “Actually, I think I might need some help.”

            He opened the door cautiously; carefully peeking around it to be sure she was covered. He might tease, but he didn’t want to be inappropriate. He could get thrown out of the Temple for even being in her room alone. He left the door ajar behind him as he entered the room. “Jeeze, you’re a mess!” he laughed.

            She looked at him helplessly. “Give me a break. This is the first time I’ve had to wear anything like this.”

            He helped her gather and pin the material with a brooch at each shoulder, then wrapped a belt around her waist. “There! Now you just need some sandals and you’re done.”

            “Thanks.” She looked at him curiously. “Why are you being so nice?”

            He shrugged. “I was new once. In fact, I’m still sort of new.”

            “So, where are we going?” she asked as she found some sandals and slipped her feet into them. She fumbled with the laces for a few minutes. Darien began to laugh again and kneeled down to help her. He laced them up her calves and tied them below her knees. “Can you remember how to do this next time?”

            She blushed. “Of course I can! It’s just a . . . new experience.”

            He smiled as he stood. “Let’s go find you some food. You’re probably starving.”

            “I am,” she admitted, “but I don’t really feel up to meeting a ton of people yet.”

            “You’re going to have to meet everyone sometime. Not all of them are going to wander into your room like me,” he said playfully. “But don’t worry. I know how we can get you some food without ever seeing anyone.”

            “Sounds good to me. Lead the way.”

            They headed out of her room and went the opposite direction of the one she had come earlier that day with Delia. He took her through several halls, and down a spiraling staircase. They had just reached the bottom of the stairs when Lorelei ran smack into someone who had appeared around a corner. It was Delia.

            “Lorelei, I thought you were going to stay in your room all night?” Delia asked.

            “Well, I had planned on it, but then . . .” she gestured helplessly at Darien.

            “Hello, Delia,” he said.

            “So, Lorelei,” Delia said, “how did you meet my brother?”