We Three Heroes

by Lynette Noni

  William intervened then, redirecting the conversation by saying, “I believe you promised us a meal before we leave. Lead on, boys, I’m starving.”

  And then the only sounds Delucia heard were their indistinguishable voices echoing down the hall as they walked away.

  No longer hungry, she slid down her door until she was on the ground, her knees drawn close to her chest as she replayed the scene over and over in her mind, fixating on what Jordan had said about her, and hating that he was right.

  She was rude.

  While she wasn’t a bully, her behaviour, self-protective or not, made her no better than Maxton.

  And that was why, as she sat there, it was with an aching soul and wet cheeks, having no idea how to fix what she’d broken in herself—and fearing she’d remain broken forever.

  The rest of December flew by until finally the Kaldoras holidays arrived, offering the respite Delucia needed. But her vacation days passed quickly and were filled with half-truths about her time at the academy, with her not wanting her parents to know how lonely she was. Instead, she focused on sharing the good things, giving no indication that she was experiencing those things on her own. Indeed, when they asked about her friends, Delucia was ashamed to admit that she lied by telling them about Jordan and Bear, acting as if the three of them were much closer than they were. She was almost relieved to head back to Akarnae after the break, because at least there she could hide behind her haughty facade and ever-fortifying walls.

  Months flew by, and before Delucia knew it, she was completing her end-of-year exams and returning to the palace for the summer. She spent her days riding Dancer and reacquainting herself with all her fictional friends, cramming as much enjoyment into the two months as she could before leaving for the academy again.

  Her second year passed exactly as her first had, the only difference being that she was now a year older. Her classes and teachers remained the same, she was even allocated Monarch again in Equestrian Skills—nothing had changed.

  And nothing continued to change, all the way through to the next year.

  Until something did change.

  It happened three months into her third year, when she went to bed one Sunday in early November only to dream yet again of the unending corridor of doorways. But when she awoke the next morning, frustrated by the ever-recurring true dream that had yet to be fulfilled, she stilled at the realisation that something was different.

  The bed beside her, the one that had been empty for two and a half years…

  It wasn’t empty anymore.

  Eleven

  “What do you mean, I have a roommate?” Delucia demanded, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.

  After waking to find the unknown dark-haired girl sound asleep, Delucia had panicked, dressed quickly and rushed out of her room on a mission to find answers. Knowing that the headmaster was away on one of his five-yearly scouting trips, she’d headed straight to Administrator Jarvis’s office, and he was now staring at her from behind his desk, as calm as could be—which only served to aggravate her further.

  “Alexandra Jennings,” Jarvis said. “She’s a transfer student who arrived last night, and since your room has space for another occupant…” He trailed off pointedly, then finished, “I’ve no doubt the two of you are going to get along splendidly.”

  Was he mad?

  Delucia didn’t ‘get along splendidly’ with anyone. Two and a half years into her time at Akarnae and everyone knew that. So why Jarvis would think—

  “This is Headmaster Marselle’s decision,” Jarvis continued, “and he always has reasons for what he does. So might I suggest you head back to your dorm and introduce yourself? I’m sure you remember what it was like arriving after your peers. No doubt Miss Jennings could use as many friends as possible to help her transition into academy life.”

  His words caused a pang of emotion to sweep through Delucia as she recalled how she’d felt in those first hours after her arrival. How hopeful she’d been, how much she’d longed for acceptance. How determined she’d been to be both the princess and the girl, to ignore the curse of her crown.

  That felt like so long ago to her now, yet it took no effort at all to remember just how much she’d wanted it. A new life. A normal life.

  And that was why, as she left Jarvis and headed back to her dorm, she did so with a thumping heart and a dry throat, wondering if just maybe this was the opportunity she had always needed. Rather than inserting herself into already-formed friendship circles, there was now someone new she could start fresh with. Someone who didn’t know Delucia; someone who was even further off the social ladder than she was.

  They could begin again together. The roommate Delucia had always wanted, she was here now. They could be—they could be friends. Hope long buried rose to the surface, like sunshine driving away years of rain.

  By the time Delucia arrived outside her dorm room, she was trembling with anticipation. She felt like there was so much riding on this introduction. She recalled her own early memories and knew deep within her that she wanted to help the other girl, to let her know that there was nothing to be nervous about, that she would stand with her through her first day and every day afterwards. It had to be daunting, starting a school in the middle of the year. Delucia, at least, hadn’t missed any classes with her own delayed arrival. But this girl—Alexandra Jennings—must surely be riddled with anxiety, having no idea what was ahead.

  Delucia was determined to be there for her, every step of the way. To be the friend she’d always wished she’d had. The one she’d spent years convincing herself that she didn’t need.

  Not wanting to delay any longer, Delucia inhaled a deep, shaky breath and pushed open her door, a nervous smile on her face as she considered how best to welcome her new roommate.

  But there was no need for such consideration, because when she stepped into her room, it was empty.

  Alexandra Jennings was gone.

  Brow furrowing, Delucia wondered where the other girl could be, before realising that she must have ventured out and followed the masses of students to breakfast.

  Having seen her face that morning—however briefly—Delucia decided that her best course of action was to hunt the girl down. No doubt she would be overwhelmed upon entering the food court, just as Delucia had been on her first day. Alexandra was probably sitting at the same small table that Delucia herself had occupied, lonely and uncertain about her next move.

  Not wanting the poor girl to have to live through that for a moment longer than necessary, Delucia picked up her pace, arriving at the food court in record time. Striding through the doors, her gaze travelled across the room, looking for the girl seated on her own.

  Only, that wasn’t what Delucia found.

  Because her roommate—she wasn’t alone. Instead, she was sitting with Jordan and Bear, the three of them mid-laughter, looking like they’d known each other for years.

  Delucia’s body locked, her blood cooling then heating then cooling again. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The ease with which they were laughing, talking, even stealing food from each other’s plates—Delucia didn’t understand.

  The girl—Alexandra—how had she done it? How had she wound up seated with the two most popular boys in their year? How had she become what looked like instant best friends with them?

  Tears prickled Delucia’s eyes as envy—blinding hot envy—flooded her veins. Every smile they shared, every laugh… it was like a dagger to her heart.

  That should have been her.

  Why wasn’t it her?

  What was wrong with her?

  Unable to stomach the sight for a moment longer, Delucia spun on her heel and sprinted from the food court, not caring who might be watching.

  But as she ran and ran and ran, she realised the sad truth—no one was watching. Because no one cared enough about her to watch.

  They never had, and they never would.

  To hell with Alexandra Jennings, De
lucia decided. To hell with Jordan Sparker and Barnold Ronnigan. To hell with everyone.

  As far as she was concerned, they could have each other.

  Her roommate—that was all Alexandra would ever be. Together they would be two people who shared a dorm, nothing more.

  And as Delucia composed herself, she was resolved that this time she would stand by her decision, determined to withdraw even further into herself, to finally accept the curse of her crown and the sacrifice it required of her.

  … But resolved or not, as the following weeks passed, Delucia kept a close eye on Alexandra Jennings, in her dreams and out of them, all the while resenting how the other girl glided effortlessly through life at the academy… and how she had prompted such hope in Delucia, only to snuff it straight out again.

  Twelve

  Delucia couldn’t stop looking at the bracelet in her hands.

  Shaking—her fingers were shaking as they brushed over the shiny metal that glowed with an inner light, the miniscule horse charms almost appearing alive as they pranced in various stages of movement.

  Her whole body was trembling with emotion as she picked up the note that had accompanied the gift-wrapped package, both having been resting on her bed upon her return from dinner.

  Happy Kaldoras, Jarvis!

  Can you do me a favour and pass this on to D.C. for me?

  I saw it and just… Well, I thought she might like it.

  See you soon!

  —Alex

  Alex. The bracelet—it was from Alex.

  But—but why?

  Nearly two months had passed since the other girl’s arrival, during which time Delucia had barely spoken a word to her outside of class assignments. She’d been the opposite of welcoming to Alex, even downright hostile at times. So the gift—it didn’t make any sense.

  … And yet, it was also the nicest thing Delucia had ever received, especially unanticipated—and undeserved—as it was.

  Perhaps she was just feeling emotional since, for the first time in her life, she was separated from her parents for the holidays, with them away on a diplomatic tour around Tryllin. While she could have easily activated a Bubbledoor to meet up with them, at least for Kaldoras itself today, they’d requested that she didn’t, since their tight schedule meant they were currently in Harovell. They hadn’t needed to explain why they wanted her to stay away—she’d understood that they were just trying to protect her. They had no way of knowing that a run-in with Maxton was hardly going to frazzle her, not anymore.

  With only a few other students remaining at the academy, Delucia had spent a miserable day to herself, finding solace in re-reading her beloved book on the Lost City of Meya for what was close to the tenth time. While it was the kind of possession that would raise eyebrows, other than Alex—who had caught Delucia reading it in the food court the night before the holidays had begun—no one had ever noticed or asked any questions. Even the questions Alex herself had asked had been strange—or, stranger than usual, since Delucia had learned that the other girl wasn’t quite as normal as she tried to appear.

  … As evidenced by the bracelet Delucia was holding, since no normal person would send such a lovely present to someone who was nothing but antagonistic towards them.

  No matter how much time had passed, Delucia still didn’t know what to think about her roommate. The one thing she did know, however, was that since Alex’s arrival, her dreams had been unsettled. The corridor of doors—at least once a week now she saw the same vision. But last night, for the first time, the dream had changed. And while still obscure, she was finally given more details, unnerving as they were.

  The first thing she’d noticed was the whispering. Previously, the sound had been muffled, but last night’s dream had revealed a smooth but angry voice clearly saying, “I haven’t found it yet!” over and over again.

  The second—and more alarming—thing was that Delucia’s vision had showed that she herself would be in the doorway-corridor—and Alex, too. But they wouldn’t be there by choice. Because unless Delucia was mistaken, their dream-selves had been abducted, which meant the same would be happening to their real-life selves one day. But for what purpose, she had no idea.

  Delucia had awoken in a cold sweat after the dream, disoriented and panicked. As the day had worn on, she’d forced herself to remember that she’d been having the same vision for years without it coming true, so she likely still had plenty of time to figure out what it meant.

  As it was, she couldn’t imagine a reason why she and Alex would be together, let alone abducted together. Outside of sleeping hours, they were barely in each other’s breathing space for long enough to share the briefest of exchanges. Regardless, there was no doubt in Delucia’s mind that something wasn’t adding up, and she had a feeling it was on Alex’s end, the other girl clearly having her own secrets—perhaps ones almost as significant as Delucia’s.

  The only thing Delucia knew for sure was that once Alex returned to the academy, bracelet-gift or not, they would be having a firm conversation. Because given the new details of her dream, it was clear that they were going to face some trouble in the future. If someone was after Alex, then Delucia needed to know as much as she could about the threat so that she could prepare herself for what might be ahead.

  Uncertainty aside, when she went to bed that night, she did so with the bracelet clasped around her wrist, imagining that it was a gift from a friend, even if she knew better than to ever hope for such a thing.

  Thirteen

  Delucia’s conversation with Alex didn’t go very well. In fact, it went about as far from well as was possible, and Delucia blamed herself for that. But in her defence, she hadn’t expected Alex to arrive back at the academy early from the Kaldoras holidays—nor had she expected her to be bleeding.

  Furthermore, Delucia had dreamed of their abduction again the night before Alex’s return, the whispering voice even louder, the sense of urgency more pervading than ever before.

  With her unease heightened from both Alex’s bloodied arrival and her own threatening dream, Delucia had reacted poorly, speaking harshly enough that Alex had up and left the room. Hours had passed while Delucia stewed over what she’d said, realising that she’d behaved badly. But when Alex returned later that night, she’d cut Delucia off before she could apologise, with Alex’s interruption being to offer curt assurances that she wasn’t in any kind of trouble.

  “And even if someone was coming after me,” Alex had said, “I’m sure you would still be safe, since anyone with half a brain can tell that we’re not friends. They would have to be pretty thick to try and get to me through you.”

  Delucia hadn’t been able to speak after that—either to apologise for her earlier behaviour or respond to Alex’s remark. Her throat had been too tight to get any words out.

  Because Alex was right.

  They weren’t friends.

  And Delucia knew that was her fault, too, since after sharing a room for eight weeks, after watching the other girl interact with those she came in contact with, Delucia knew that Alex was exactly the kind of person she would want to have as a friend. But she’d blown it, completely and totally, by being a prissy, antagonistic… princess. And she didn’t know how to fix that, how to show Alex that that wasn’t who she was.

  Delucia had made her bed. Now she had to lie in it.

  And that was why months passed with nothing changing between them. Winter faded into spring and soon the days began heating up as summer approached, the passage of time making even the dream seem like a distant memory of long ago.

  Until the day the threat was recalled to the forefront of Delucia’s mind.

  The day she was abducted from her dorm and dragged to the Library.

  The day she knew she would die to protect her people.

  The day Alex saved Delucia’s life…

  … and in doing so, changed everything between them. Forever.

  Fourteen

  Blood soaked Delucia, coverin
g her from head to toe. But it wasn’t her blood.

  It was Alex’s.

  She knew she must look a sight, standing over the other girl’s prone body in the Medical Ward and screaming at everyone to stay out of Fletcher’s way. The doctor himself was working frantically to keep Alex alive, the dagger she’d jumped in front of—the dagger aimed at Delucia—having punctured her lung from behind, causing massive internal damage.

  The look on Fletcher’s face… Delucia knew the doctor was doing his best, but his expression was so grim, like he was already preparing himself for the worst.

  The blood—there was so much of it. And not just coating Delucia, but coating everything.

  She was scared.

  So, so scared.

  Because Alex—she’d just saved Delucia’s life. And in doing so, she might well have sacrificed her own.

  It was Aven Dalmarta. The abduction dream Delucia had seen during the Kaldoras holidays five months ago, the one with the unending corridor of doors, all of it had come true. The Rebel Prince had finally revealed himself after so many millennia hidden in the shadows.

  Alex’s secrets—Delucia had been wrong. They weren’t almost as significant as her own; they were even more significant. Called from another world, Chosen by the Library of Legend—Alex was the only person who could open a doorway for Aven to get back to Meya. And because of that, because of the courage she’d shown in not allowing that to happen, her very life was now on the line.

  Delucia couldn’t stand it. The two of them, they’d shared something down in the cell Aven had locked them in. A moment, an understanding—truths had been revealed between them both.

  Delucia now knew Alex’s secrets… just as Alex knew hers.

  But… even after Alex had learned about her royal title, she’d somehow still managed to see the girl—the one beneath the crown. The girl no one had ever seen before… The one Delucia had never allowed anyone to see before.