Tempests and Slaughter (The Numair Chronicles, Bk. 1)

Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm's most powerful mages. His Gift has equal potential for greatness and disaster. As his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the "leftover prince," who is hungry for revenge. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. As Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram's heart, Arram discovers a disturbing dark side to the empire and realizes that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie. But first he must survive his lessons in magecraft and political intrigue. Because power is a lightning rod for peril, and a storm is brewing.