"Sorry," I murmur. I know she isn't trying to do that, if she wanted me dead, she could have left me in the dress and let me thrash around on the floor until I wasn't in the land of the living any more.
"You don't need to be sorry, dear. You're from the academy, everyone knows the stories about some of the students there. I don't know what your personal prophecy is, but I can take some guesses."
"I'm sorry, I should have been upfront about that to begin with." I glance at the floor, suddenly ashamed of myself.
"I can understand why you didn't. Some shop owners have been known to refuse to serve those who are subject to the prophecies."
I look up sharply. "They do?"
"Have you not experienced that yet? You must have done a good job at hiding your condition."
"I haven't been into town much," I admit. "And I don't talk about it much either."
"That would be wise. You should only tell people who you trust implicitly. Anyone else and they can take advantage of knowing what it is."
I flash her a weak smile. It crosses my mind that enemies could use knowledge of someone's prophecy in order to discredit, or even kill, their rivals. It isn't a nice thought, and just makes me more certain that I should keep the specifics of my prophecy away from everyone. Maybe even from Edward too, though mostly so it isn't possible that other people overhear, which can also be a potential issue.
I blow across the top of the tea before taking a sip. The warm liquid slips down my throat and fills me with a sense of peace I don't think I expected.
"This is delicious." There's a slight hint of mint on my tongue.
"I can give you some of the leaves, if you'd like. It's good for soothing the soul when worries are the front of your mind," she promises me.
I have to admit that sounds nice. Something to drink that'll make me feel better when everything gets too overwhelming is almost too much to ask.
"I'd appreciate that, if you would. I'll pay for it, of course."
She chuckles. "I would give you the leaves for free. My niece suffers from nerves herself. It's how I recognised them in you."
"That doesn't mean you should have to," I counter. "I insist on paying you for it."
"You're very kind hearted, my dear. Not everyone would think it was so important to pay for things like that."
"Then they're fools," I say firmly. I don't believe that anyone should take what's not due to them, and that includes tea to help with nerves. It's something I'd gladly pay no matter what.
"We still need to discuss the dress," the old woman reminds me.
"I'm so sorry, did I ruin your sample? I'll pay for it..."
She waves her hand, shutting me off. "You didn't do anything to the sample. I mean we need to discuss what you'd like for the final thing. I'm guessing from the looseness of the bodice you were wearing before that you'd like something similar on your ball gown?"
"Yes, please," I whisper. "As loose as possible." My skin crawls with the sensation of tightening. I don't want to experience that again if I don't have to.
I press a hand to my stomach, trying to settle myself.
"Excellent. I have some other ideas for how we can make it suit you better, would you like to hear them?"
I shake my head. "I'm happy to leave it to your discretion so long as my two requirements are met."
She nods. "Loose bodice, pale colour. I'll make it fit for a princess."
A small smile cracks over my face. I hadn't realised that she wasn't aware I am a princess. I should let her know so she can use it in that way shopkeepers do. Or maybe not. I don't think my word is worth very much and I don't want to saddle her with something that'll hurt her business, especially after she's been so helpful to me.
"I only have one hundred silver with me today," I admit, glancing away. I can't see how that's nearly enough to cover what she's done for me. I don't know why I ever thought it was.
"That's more than enough, my lady," she insists.
"It isn't. I can write to my father and get more sent over. Name your price."
"I don't need more than that."
I bite my lip, not wanting to argue with her, but also not wanting to take her for granted.
"Will you accept more once the dress has been delivered?" I ask, trying to at least get her to accept more.
"One hundred silver is more than enough," she assures me again. "I don't want to accept a larger sum from you."
"Alright." I tug on the skirts of the dress I came to the shop in and dig into the pocket, pulling out a small bag of silvers and setting it on the table.
"Thank you." The woman dips her head but doesn't make any move to pick up the bag or count the money inside.
I want to ask her about that, but it sounds rude. Maybe I should just be glad that I'm deemed as trustworthy.
"I'll go and get you the tea," she says, rising to her feet.
"Thank you." I pick up my steaming cup from the table between us and take another sip. It's amazing what this stuff is doing for me. I truly do feel calmer with its soothing effects seeping into me.
She bustles out of the main room of the shop and begins to clatter around in the back.
I take the opportunity to put my dress back on. Grateful for the alterations the seamstresses at home made which mean I can put it on myself. I don't want to be more of an imposition to this woman than I've already been.
"Here you go, my dear." She passes me a small packet of tea.
It crinkles the moment I clasp my hand around it. "I really appreciate this," I tell her. "I don't think I've ever had anything that soothed me this well before."
"You're welcome, my dear. If you need anymore, send word and I'll get some sent to that academy of yours."
I smile warmly at her. "When do you want me to come back for the dress?" I fiddle with the lining of my pocket while I wait for her answer.
"I can bring it to you, if you'd prefer," she says.
"That would be good."
"Then I'll send word when I'm ready to deliver it. But rest assured it will be before the ball. We can't have you going in just anything, can we?"
I smile warmly. "Not when I have a prince to impress."
"That makes it even more important to look the part. You've put your trust in the right person today."
I leave the shop with a slight bounce in my step and joy filling my heart. I've never left a place of business feeling like that before. There must be some magic in that tea alongside the mint. Or else they've been harvested under some kind of magical moon.
The guard trails me the entire way back to the academy. I hope he reports this to the same person who heard the one about my last trip into town. Then they'll know I can be trusted to leave the academy grounds.
Chapter Ten
I almost bounce down the main staircase, anxious to get to the stable before Luna arrives. I woke up to find a note slipped under my door that she's being moved today and I can't wait to see her. The handler was right, it's been almost impossible not to think about Luna since we met.
Cold air hits me the moment I step through the academy doors and out into the grounds. The tiny stones of the main drive crunch under my feet as I head towards the stable. I can't hear much noise, but that doesn't mean anything. There's magic around the entire academy, something that normally puts me on edge but today, it hasn't.
Nothing can. Short of the sale of an enchanted comb.
I burst into the stable to find the same handler from class standing next to my unicorn.
"She's even more beautiful than I remember," I whisper.
The handler chuckles. "They have that effect on people. I think it's to make sure their owners come back for them and don't leave them alone for too long."
I laugh lightly. "They're tricky creatures, then." I think back to the book I've been reading. Almost everything about unicorns seems sweet on the outside, but with something a bit more devious and magical underneath.
"They can be, if they're crossed. But I've
never known one to do anything to harm its owner. They're fiercely loyal."
I nod. "I've been doing as much reading up on them as I can," I admit. "I don't want to do something wrong and harm her by accident."
"That's a good start. I did bring a few things for you to help the transition." She motions to a small box on the floor.
Before either of us has a moment to examine the contents, Luna pushes her head against my hand. I scratch her neck and she pushes even closer in response.
"Hi," I whisper. "I'm going to come visit you every day now. We're going to spend so much time together, you're going to get fed up with me."
The unicorn whinnies at me. I hope that's a sign she's happy with what I'm saying.
"She seems a lot bigger than she was before," I observe to the handler.
The woman nods. "At this age, they grow quickly. Especially if they've found someone to bond with. No one has an explanation for why, but it's something we've come to expect." She goes over to the box and pulls up the lid. "There's more information about it in this book." She taps the cover of a leather-bound journal type book.
I almost sigh with relief. There's a how-to manual. That's a boon I'm not expecting. "What else is in there?" I ask. I can see the chest is full to the brim with different bits and pieces, though from this distance, I can't clearly make out what any of them are.
And I'm not about to move closer to find out. Not with Luna being so affectionate and clearly craving my attention.
The handler is studying me with approval in her eyes, which helps me with knowing I'm doing the right thing for Luna. That's got to be my priority right now.
She runs through the various items. There's everything from special brushes, to a vial to collect unicorn tears in.
"I thought we wouldn't want them to cry." I stroke Luna's neck, hating the idea of her in enough emotional or physical pain to make her tearful.
"We don't, but sometimes it's unavoidable, and they can be very useful."
"Hmm." I don't want to find out the truth of her words for sure. I'm not using unicorn tears for anything unless there is no way to avoid it.
"This is a horn file." She holds up a smooth looking object.
I frown. "I need to file it?" I glance at the small horn which has only just started to erupt from Luna's head.
The handler nods. "You'll be surprised what you need to do for a unicorn. It's all detailed in the book." She places a hand on the leather-bound surface of a journal style book.
I won't admit it aloud, but there's something reassuring about knowing there's a book I can check things in. I've never even considered owning a unicorn before, and certainly don't know how to look after one. I'm glad someone's thought of that.
"Is there anything I need to know now?" I ask, looking at Luna and trying not to be overwhelmed by the situation.
Being around the unicorn foal helps settle my nerves, but even that isn't helping the worries about looking after her. I don't want to harm Luna with my incompetency.
"Just make sure you visit her often and if something bothers her, then you should deal with it quickly."
I nod. "Thank you..." I trail off, realising I don't know her name.
"Holly," she supplies. "You can reach me at the stable in town."
"I just need to send a letter?"
She nods. "I'll respond as soon as I can, either in writing or in person."
"I appreciate it." I scratch Luna's head, making her paw the ground. The gesture may have been intimidating if she'd been a fully-grown stallion and not a foal half my height still.
The familiar sound of hooves beating against the floor outside the stable stalls pulls my attention away from the unicorn.
I see the horse before I see the person leading it, but even that's enough to recognise them. I don't know why it surprises me that Edward is coming in. One look around the rest of the stalls would tell me he and Firefly are out on the list. Or maybe just for a ride, I'm not sure what he does when he isn't with me, and I don't feel the need to ask. He's not required to tell me every moment of his day.
"Snow." The way he says my name is enough to make me giddy.
"I'll be going. Just let me know if you need me," Holly says, before lifting a hand in a wave.
I barely pay any attention to her as she leaves, though I do manage a half-hearted wave. I'm too distracted for more. I would have thought I'd be used to running into Edward by now, and yet each run in still fills me with the same amount of joy as the last.
"I didn't realise you'd be here," he says, dropping Firefly's reins and rushing towards me.
Luna whinnies, pulling his attention away from me. I'd feel resentful, but she's so adorable that it's impossible.
"Ah, I see why you're here," he muses. "She's bigger."
"Holly said that's normal."
Luna pulls away from Edward's hand and trots towards Firefly. The stallion looks down at her with a protective look on his face.
Interesting. Apparently, she'll have a protector in the stables.
"You'd think they were related," I murmur, not meaning to think aloud.
Edward chuckles. "Don't say that any louder, I don't want to give Firefly any ideas. If he thinks he's a unicorn, he'll be insufferable."
"It could be useful during a joust, though," I joke.
"I suppose that's true. Though I'm not sure what good a horn will do against a lance."
He doesn't wait for me to reply, but leans down and kisses me softly instead. I love the feel of his lips against mine. It makes me feel like I'm home. Somewhere comfortable and secure.
Between Edward, Luna, and the tea, my nerves are almost settled. I don't think this is what I expected when I came to Grimm Academy, but it's a consequence I'll gladly take.
We break apart, both swiftly looking over to our animals to check they're alright. Both of them seem quite taken with one another, and we have no reason to worry.
"I need to rub him down," Edward says, disappoint colouring his voice.
"We can do it together?" I suggest. I used to sneak down to the stables whenever I could back home. I found it helped to keep my mind occupied. It had worked too, until my mother had found out and banned the stable hands from letting me in the building. It had broken my heart.
Hopefully, she'll feel differently when I come home with a unicorn.
I glance at Edward. If I ever go home for longer than a couple of weeks. If things go well with him, maybe we'll end up back in his kingdom instead of mine. I don't think that'll be a problem for me.
"If you want to?" He looks uneasy, as if he doesn't want to take advantage of me.
"I do. Come on." I grab his hand and pull him towards what I assume is Firefly's stall.
He chuckles and clucks his tongue at his horse. We watch as the majestic creature makes his way into his home, Luna dancing along at his heels. She's enamoured with the stallion, and I'm not going to part them until I have to.
Edward strips off his jacket and throws it over the wall of the stable before rolling his sleeves up. The muscles in his arms jump out as he moves, and I find myself mesmerized by them.
I grab one of the brushes from the tack box, noticing a small coil of ribbon also sitting there.
"You kept it?" I ask, gesturing towards the ribbon.
"Of course. What else am I going to wear when I'm at the lists?" A smirk picks up the side of his lips.
"You could just ask me for another one?" I suggest. "Or I can make you something better. A ribbon isn't very special."
He stops brushing Firefly and lets the brush fall to his side. He steps towards me and reaches out with his spare hand, brushing a finger across my cheek.
"There is nothing better. You gave it to me. That makes it the most precious thing I can own." He leans closer.
A nervous giggle escapes me. "I shouldn't like it when you say that."
"And yet you do." His breath fans against my lips.
I don't wait for him to kiss me. There's two of us in t
his budding relationship, if I want to call it that. Do I get to choose when it is and isn't something more than two people spending time together? I push the thought away and let myself enjoy the kiss. This isn't the time for me to let my emotions get the better of me.
We break apart when Luna pushes her nose between us.
Edward laughs. "I see we're going to have problems if we want to escape to the stables for kisses."
An amused smile spreads across my face. "But doesn't that just make it more fun." I'm certain there's a twinkle in my eyes, one that I don't think has ever been there before. If I'm feeling brave when I get back to my room, I may even take the blanket off the mirror and look to see if I can find it.
"I want to go to the ball," I blurt out.
He raises an eyebrow. "What brought that on?"
"I went into town the other day and placed an order for a dress. I want to go to the ball with you." I toy with the cuff of my riding habit. I need to get some more outdoor clothing if I'm going to spend more time in the stables. I only have three riding habits and none of them are particularly exciting. When the woman delivers my ballgown, perhaps I can ask her if she'll make some more for me.
"Are you sure this is what you want?" he double checks.
I appreciate that. It's hard not to. He knows I'll be chewing over the decision in my mind already. As if to prove that, I start chewing on my lip.
"I don't know if it's the right thing to do," I admit slowly, looking up at him. I hold his gaze, even if it makes me nervous to do it. "But when I think about going to the ball with you, it's all I want."
His grin could light up even the darkest rooms. "Then I'd love to take you to the ball, Snow. I'll be the envy of every prince in academy."
I bark out a short laugh. "Hardly. I know what they say about me. There's no way anyone is going to envy you."
It's more likely the girls will be jealous of me. Edward is handsome, cultured, a prince, and a member of the jousting team. The only way he could become more desirable is if he dipped himself in chocolate.
"Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" he asks.
I shake my head. "Not really." I pause for a moment. "Actually, there's one thing."
Academy of Magic Collection Page 22