by L Ward
“Sounds awesome, are you signing up?” He pulled up beside her and went straight for the crisp pepperoni pizza.
“There’ll be elimination try-outs for the team, or, so I’ve heard. You should come too,” she said, flashing a winners smile.
“To support you,” Evan laughed. “I don’t think I’m much of a duelist.”
“Have you ever tried?” said Cass.
Evan skipped a beat, brows furrowing. “Kind of… I haven’t had much experience with that sort of thing.”
“Home schooled?” Cass raised her brows.
“Yes,” said Evan.
“Don’t sweat it,” she waved him off lazily, “most of us are here. I spent half my life in my uncle’s shop. Believe me, I’d have been happy to be at home all day.”
“Your uncle the alchemist?” He’d learned that Cass’s uncle was Rederick Ikenna, one of the best-known alchemists of his generation. He ran a highly successful business in London frequented by aristocrats and the super-rich.
Cass nodded, eyes shining. “It’s extremely complex work, boring, and very long hours. I don’t know how people can stand it as a career, they’re truly admirable,” she wrinkled her nose. “Anyway, I need to study it because it’s a requirement for my apothecary.”
They ate in silence for a while, enjoying the cavernous echo of laughter and stuffing great, gluttonous mouthfuls of food down their gullets.
Surrounded by a group of young men, a skinny guy called Andrew was using powerful telekinesis to obscenely ram a small roasted bird with foodstuffs, and make it strut down the table like a runway. Evan recognised two of his loudest flankers as Fabian Doncaster, a huge, black boy with a head of fantastic curls and biceps like trunks, and Darius Mead, slightly overweight with tiny blue eyes and a sandy bowl cut.
He hadn’t noticed Cass smirking until she leaned over. “He’s really handsome, isn’t he?” she said, earthen eyes twinkling.
Evan, still watching the display, frowned. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“Prince Nathaniel,” she said, dropping her voice. Evan turned pink. Cass shone triumphantly and the surrounding air shimmered with magic. “You go red at any mention of him,” she laughed, clapping her hands together. “I knew it as soon as he sat next to you! Stop looking so embarrassed at least half the student body want to get into his boxers.”
“How would you know he wears boxers?” He raised his eyebrows in challenge.
Her laugh was high and tinkling. “Because Jeremiah does!”
“And what does Jeremiah think of your comments?” asked Evan.
“Whose comments?”
Evan jumped out of his skin as Jeremiah brushed past dropping in next to Cass. “Your girlfriend noticed a potential new suitor,” he teased.
“Shut up I have not!” she said, and leaned over to thump his arm.
“A challenger for the lady’s hand? I am honoured! I accept!!” he roared, fisting the air.
Cass hissed furiously at him to be quiet because people were staring, and Evan was spluttering with laughter into his drink.
“Tell me who he is and I’ll throw him over the Channel in a tornado,” said Jeremiah, clucking his tongue.
“Good luck, it’s the Prince,” Evan said, wearing a grin of satisfaction.
Jeremiah’s face plummeted, his arm sagged and defeat settled in his eyes. “Oh, well, in that case I’ll have to concede,” he sighed.
“I wouldn’t leave you for any man,” she punched his arm and he erupted with laughter.
“You’re damn right,” he said like it was a badge of honour.
∞∞∞
Wednesday was awesome because he only had elemental magic in the morning. When he arrived people were clustered around a sign instructing everyone to head to the south-west of the gardens for a practical session. Evan was sweating with anxiety, and the beautiful late-summer day turned ugly.
“I wonder will we be asked to perform with our uniques?” Cass wondered aloud.
A bead of sweat chilled Evan’s hot spine. Surely, they wouldn’t expect that. This was a mandatory class regardless of unique ability, including the few students without one who could only perform standard magic and spell-casting. Listening to Cass chatting loudly with a sharp-faced red-head girl from her Botany class didn’t help his nerves. Turns out they’re both geomancers with a competitive streak.
Passing through a ring of trees, they reached a verdant clearing where a willowy woman wearing an oceanic cloak rippling in waves that dripped real water droplets about her feet. She wasn’t the most interesting thing in the clearing, however; standing a few feet from her, sleeves rolled to his elbows was Prince Nath, and Will. The air was fresh with cut grass and sweet pollen. Dandelion parasols drifted on the breeze, and Evan hoped to the gods he was wearing enough deodorant.
“Good morning. I’m Lady Cordelia Cascade,” she said, voice misty as a bog. “Do gather round, I’m sure you’re all very eager to begin.”
Cass caught Evan’s gaze and glanced at Nathaniel. Evan willed himself not to redden, please, God, don’t do it.
“This class is about learning to master what unique talents you already have and enhance your abilities within the natural order of magic. Regardless of your specialty, you can all perform magic of the elements to some degree. It’s in your blood,” she began, jewel-blue eyes sweeping round the circle. “I will perform a small demonstration,” she said, and the air began to buzz with wakened magic. The melodic rainfall drowned the birdsong, before them an enormous orb churned a violent tempest. It rumbled, thunderous and evil-sounding, it hissed spraying them in ocean mist and the stench of sunken sailors. As quickly as it happened the ball evaporated into thick, muggy fog. A few of his classmates spluttered on the dank air.
“That was so pretty!” a girl said. Lady Cascade appeared delighted.
“I’m a hydromancer too, can you show me how to do that?” asked Rayne Rivers, a tall and very pretty dark-haired girl Evan noticed Blaise following around.
Lady Cascade’s eyes sparkled, a smile gracing her lips. “Certainly, who would like to demonstrate first?” Awkwardness settled like a hen to roost and nobody met her gaze.
“Why don’t I go first then if you’re all too pussy to do it,” Blaise snarled shouldering people out the way to take the center.
“Yikes, asshole alert,” Cass muttered.
Evan covered his mouth to stifle a laugh and watched Blaise thrust his navy cloak at Rayne who caught it gingerly and glared. He straightened up; tall, broad shoulders, scraggy hair. The temperature dropped by ten degrees. Evan felt sharp prickles spread over his exposed skin like in knife point kisses. Blaise was smirking, whipping up a flurry of snow like cake batter and morphing it into a beautifully sculpted snowman which looked remarkably like a topless, and incredibly buff Blaise. When he was done his grin turned wolfish. The class broke into applause a few whistled and cheered. Evan clapped along halfheartedly.
“Very well-done, beautiful craftsmanship!” said Lady Cascade. “Next!”
Will stepped forward not bothering to remove his sleek cloak of darkness which appeared to cost more than Evan’s family’s entire house. He spared a lazy glance at the trees and stepped into the center, presence commanding attention. A silence dawned for mere moments before a deafening volcanic roar sliced the morning. An inferno rushed to the sky like hell broken open, flames snapping hungrily at the clouds. Students gasped, some falling back in horror, shielding their faces from the scorching heat. The firestorm raged with vengeance, warping into the grotesque form of a fire dragon. It rose above their heads, beating its blazing wings and blinding them in transcendent light. Desert heat pelted them in an unstoppable barrage. If Evan squinted he could make out Will, a figure of shadows, palms raised to the heavens; autumnal irises rendering vampire red, spewing hellfire as easily as he breathed. As fast as the dragon rose, it vanished and the temperature collapsed to a dry warmth.
Evan’s throat was prickling, black spots danced before his e
yes as they readjusted to the dimply comparable daylight. He glanced at Cass; she was shivering.
“Goodness gracious me,” Lady Cascade breathed, hand on heart. “What a performance! Bravo, young man!”
Will didn’t bother replying; he returned to Nath’s side as though nothing had happened. Blaise’s snowman had long since watered the grass.
As the lesson progressed, Evan began to relax, not everyone volunteered to go up and perform- even people he knew had powers- which didn’t make him feel like utter crap when he bypassed his turn. Cass, however, was eager.
Krystin, her redheaded competition, forged a masterful sword from rock summoned from the earth using her powers. Cass was fuming and red as Krystin’s hair by the time she finished, skipping past and dashing her an arrogant smirk.
“Show us how it’s done, Cass!” Evan grinned as she took to the center.
She stood stock still for so long the class exchanged glances. Evan knew what they were thinking: she was an Eternal- someone trapped eternally without power.
A low rumble cut the silence, Cass threw her arms into the air with a cry and an unpleasant toilet-suction sound followed. Ten moles shot one by one out of the earth landing flat on their backs in a daze. Everyone stared, Cass grinned and Evan burst out laughing. The moles, remembering themselves, made a mad dash back down their holes. Krystin's expression was unreadable.
Applause filled the afternoon.
“That was brilliant,” said Evan.
“Cute,” Jeremiah clapped the loudest.
Cass grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet, stray hairs waving in her magical essence which glittered an unusual khaki green.
After her performance the lesson morphed into lighthearted fun and by the end most of the class were rolling around in the grass performing tricks with their friends. Lady Cascade bade them a good-day and disappeared so fast Evan could have sworn she evaporated.
“Hey,” said Nath, brushing past all dimpled cheeks and un-kissed lips.
“Hey,” Evan grinned feeling the colour rise to his cheeks. “Nice performance,” he said to Will, who ignored him. He watched them heading up to the palace, Nath smiled back at him wearing a cheeky smile and Evan nearly lost the battle of self-control to stop himself running after Nath right then and there.
“Wipe the dribble off your chin and let’s go eat,” Cass smirked.
“Shut up,” said Evan, playfully nudging her ribs.
“That weird guy didn’t even perform anything for the prince,” Blaise drawled shouldering Evan out the way.
His friends erupted in laughter shooting him snide looks.
“What’s his problem?” asked Jeremiah.
“Don’t say anything,” said Evan, holding out his arm to stop Cass confronting him. “He’s not worth it.”
∞∞∞
Court was quite peaceful at lunchtime. Evan, Cass, Jeremiah and Angelika (a girl he met in mysticism) took their food outside.
It was a glorious day with a honey-sweet breeze delivering the incoming promise of autumn. Evan popped another shirt button, basking in the sun’s final days.
“Sign-ups for the dueling try-outs go up tonight,” said Cass.
“Let’s go together,” said Jeremiah.
“Yeah!” she said. They high-fived and magic sparked between their palms.
“I can’t wait to see you up there, baby."
Evan rolled his eyes, a smirk curling his lips.
“Oh, please. I could absolutely suck, and you decide to dump me for a girl with mad hydro skills,” she snorted.
“Please don’t ever say that again,” Evan cringed and buried his shame in his lunch.
“So get your ass together and beat the competition,” said Jeremiah.
“If only it were that easy,” said Cass.
Chapter 4
Sign-ups were posted inside the main entrance doors. There were so many students milling about it took an ice age to reach the front. Dozens of names glared back at them, and after a barrage of peer pressure from Cass, Evan signed consigning himself to a quick elimination.
“It’s all about the trying, if you don’t even try how will you ever succeed?” said Cass, pushing back through the crowd. “New school, new life, the future is now my friends.”
“You sound weirdly like, uh, Uncle,” said Evan.
“Who?” Cass blinked.
“The mysticism teacher. He makes us call him Uncle,” said Evan.
The compass of crowd control carried them to one of the sitting-rooms the students could use.
“The big black guy with dreadlocks?” Jeremiah's forehead slashed in a frown.
“Yeah, how do you know him?” Evan asked, flopping onto the fat velour sofa, spreading his arms luxuriously along the backrest.
“I’ve seen him around. He's always shoeless and meditates outside every morning around six, so I figured he was a hippie,” said Jeremiah, massaging his scruffy chin.
“That is so judgemental,” Cass’s lips dragged down and she shot Jeremiah a disapproving look.
“What? It’s not like I said anything bad about him. He is a shoeless guy teaching the most hippie class going,” Jeremiah protested, flailing.
Cass was shaking her head, lips pursed like squashed petals. “Is Evan a hippie?” she raised her eyebrows.
“No?” said Evan, not wanting to be part of this micro fight.
“Then there you go. You’re judgmental,” Cass sniffed.
Jeremiah looked at him and rolled his eyes.
“Don’t take an attitude with me like that. I see what you did,” she snapped.
Jeremiah’s eyes flashed with panic. How does she know? he mouthed.
∞∞∞
This time when Evan rocked up outside rune enchantment, Nath was already there heading into the classroom wearing a baby-blue shirt that made him appear a frostbitten prince of winter. Evan quickened his pace until he was close enough that saying hi wouldn’t be weird.
Nath quick-turned to face him, a look of surprise striking his handsome face. “Hello,” surprise melted into a smile, as did Evan’s legs.
He felt no shame in keeping multiple pictures he’d torn from a magazine article publishing the prince in all his handsome glory. “I saw your photos. There’ll be no mistaking you now, will there?”
Nath’s laughter was dazzling. “No, and what the media are saying about me is dreadfully embarrassing.” He bit his bottom lip, and Evan nearly crashed a trouser rocket.
Prince Charming. Heir of Fair. His Royal Hotness.
“They’re saying what everyone else is thinking,” said Evan, and went crimson from head to toe.
Nath's eyes twinkled like gems peeking from an ore rock.
Fortunately, Nath sat directly in front of him during the lesson, unfortunately, Will did too, and glared at him as he took his seat.
“Your Highness,” Sir Madick bowed on his way past, but unlike Flint he didn’t continue to draw attention to him.
The only positive of Will’s presence came after Madick’s announcement they would be studying blaze-proof runes, and he, as a high-level pyromancer, would be able to put them through their paces.
A sharp thrill tore through Evan’s belly, he’d finally see Nath perform magic and he wasn’t sure he could cope with that.
He spent the session note-taking, and checking out Nath’s toned back, blonde hair kissing the back of his neck, straight and softer than pixie-spun silk.
“What do you think of this first task?” Nath asked. As he turned his hair fell across his forehead in a graceful arc. No matter how hard Evan tried, his own floppy, caramel-coloured hair wouldn't do that.
“Exciting, I’ve never done blaze-proof runes before. My dad is a pyromancer, so we don’t really need them,” said Evan.
Will snorted and a fine layer of magic dusted his shoulders like frost.
∞∞∞
At lunch he was distracted and eager to get to mysticism. Mr Daniels was waiting for them, large hands a
round a tiny pink teacup, sipping a nasty-smelling tea.
When Aline, the blonde bespectacled girl, attempted to open a window he flew at her in a rage and spent the rest of the lesson ignoring her until she was forced to apologise for ‘disturbing the tranquility’. After that nobody dared speak out of turn.
∞∞∞
When Friday rolled around everyone was looking forward to a weekend of relaxation and activities. Elemental magical theory was held in a high-tower classroom where Lady Cascade stood with all the elegance she had in the first session.
“Anyone with magical ability can curve their power to manipulate nature’s elements, besides Eternals, of course,” she said, eyes sweeping the few known eternals in the group. “However, only those born with uniques relating to the elements can truly ever master them, but being able to manipulate could save your life one day. I impart you all to channel your blood’s magic to sense the individual elements in the air, reach out with your power, and touch each one individually. Learn to sense and differentiate between them.”
Evan found it exhausting yet pleasantly rewarding, like stretching every muscle after a long sleep. The tower grew hazy with magic by the time class ended leaving almost everyone bleary-eyed and disoriented.
∞∞∞
The last session of the week should be the most relaxing; Evan was thrilled when Nath sank into the seat beside him again, bathing him in the smell of summer days and riches
“Have you started your essay yet?” he asked.
“Not yet, but I’ve chosen my topic, you?”
“I’ve nearly finished, I suppose I’ll get it done over the weekend when I have more time,” said Nath.
Evan wondered of all the things he must do outside uni hours, working alongside his father to become the future sovereign; studying things he could scarecly imagine.
Over the years he’d read up about the royal family and all the duties they perform as an absolute monarchy. There were councils across the nation in every town and city to represent the people and make requests to the Privy Council, but in the end it was the king and queen who decided the law. The Privy Council, Evan understood, assisted with creating and passing laws and legislations, and dealt with other difficult matters under close guidance of His Majesty.