by J. M. Kearl
The man’s attention drifted to Bindy briefly, then turned back to me, “You fought brilliantly against the trolls and that hideous creature at the end.” Something in his speech made me pin him as a possible outsider. He spoke my language perfectly but the word choice, the cadence—different.
“Thank you.”
“I must say, and I hope you approve of my saying so, but you’re incredibly beautiful, your highness. Also highly skilled as you proved today, and rumor has it you have a unique gift.” His eyes seemed to be inspecting my face as much as I had his.
My palms went clammy. I hadn’t had any visions of death in months. And how could he possibly know of this? “Who are you? I didn’t catch your name.” A small scar cut across his chin and the light spattering of freckles put me slightly at ease. The Fae do not have imperfections or at least that’s what the merfolk claimed. They are supposed to be beautiful. Even if the Night Prince was strange looking he was… lovely in a cruel, twisted way.
He stooped into a shallow bow, bending from the hips. “Pardon me, I am Firo Hazelvale, from Sanlaiya.”
The Hazelvales were one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom, living in the large city in the south of Delhoon. Fear-o, I thought, sounding the name out in my head. I’d never heard it before. It surprised me that I hadn’t met him at one of the royal festivals given his family name.
“After watching you and the princes, I decided to add funding to this academy. Although I hoped to have some friends and I come to spectate on occasion.” His eyes fluttered about the room. “It’s interesting to me watching all three kingdoms work together when we were enemies for the span of nearly a thousand years.”
“So far we’ve gotten along rather well.”
“Aside from the fight you caused last year, of course,” he purred. “I heard the students nearly tore this room apart in a brawl.”
I lifted my chin slightly. “I didn’t cause it but I did punish the girl who started it. And it surely wasn’t so dramatic as tearing this room apart, Firo.”
He chuckled. “Too bad.”
“You would see us at odds?”
He turned and looked me square in the eyes. “Peace is the enemy of the warrior. History will remember Queen Daelyn and King Boaden for their prowess, will you be remembered?”
I blinked several times, taken aback by his comment. “A leader can be remembered and honored for keeping the peace and bringing prosperity to the people. I hope that is my mother’s legacy, not how many she killed in battle to obtain it.” I said these words but at the same time... I might never get to prove myself in a battle, and that was what I trained for my entire life. The vampire attack would be forgotten in years to come except perhaps to students who would read about it one day. People in my kingdom had already moved on. They talked more about Zyacus and I courting than the attack.
Firo lifted his glass. “To peace then.”
Since I didn’t have a glass to raise, I simply nodded. When I walked away from him, a strange sense of unease came over me. I shouldn’t let his comment get to me. I didn’t want to kill. I didn’t want enemies, even if I trained for them but the words, “peace is the enemy of the warrior” echoed in my mind. I hadn’t asked if he were a warrior. Could he be looking to make a name for himself apart from his family’s wealth? I’d never heard of Firo Hazelvale before this day.
From then on it felt like I was back at the castle at a royal gathering. Everyone bowed to me. The students stayed clear. The wealthy men and women in lavish attire couldn’t wait to speak to me and shake my gloved hand. I hoped this wasn’t going to be a common occurrence. I came here to train and learn, not to appease.
I spied Zyacus and Aric across the room also in formal attire, wearing crowns, surrounded by a small crowd. “Excuse me,” I said to my admirers and after a few steps a dark-haired girl bumped into me. Hard. Her drink spilled all over my boots and on half my pant leg.
I arched an eyebrow waiting for her to turn her head. When she did my blood boiled hot with magic.
Jennika put on a huge fake smile. “Oh, I’m sorry, your highness. Did I spill on your boots? Oops.”
Murder. I sucked in a breath and held it for a moment to quell my murderous rage. The wench was supposed to be expelled from this academy. “Move out of my way,” I said through clenched teeth.
She tipped her glass so more red liquid cascaded on my boots. Slapping the stupid out of Jennika on the first night in front of the existing and potential benefactors wouldn’t look good. She knew I wouldn’t react too. My eyes darted around to see if anyone watched us.
A few students with towels in hand rushed over. “Princess, let us clean this up.”
I stepped back, glaring at Jennika who looped her arm around her friend Jade’s and skipped away laughing.
When I beat her face in later I’d make sure to tell her payback’s a real wench.
One of the students, with the help of a spell, cleaned my boots till they shined. “Thank you,” I said and she bowed to me.
The crown sure did have an effect on people. Appearus. I materialized across the room, appearing at Zyacus’s side.
A few of the gowned women gasped and then mildly clapped. Clearly they weren’t magic-born. One with glossy red lips and shiny black curls turned to the man at her side. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to women fighting. It doesn’t seem right.”
“And why is that?” I asked.
She turned to me with a defiant expression. “We’re smaller, not as strong, more delicate. Less aggressive by nature, and our appearance is a distraction to the men.” Her lips curled. “Prince Aric had to save you from that trap today rather than free his royal highness, Prince Zyacus.”
I couldn’t keep myself from sneering. The nerve of this woman. She was correct about some things but those facts didn’t make women unable to fight especially with magic ability. We trained a little differently than the men when it came to a fight with no magic. I clearly couldn’t win in brute strength but rather in speed and skill.
I opened my mouth to speak when Aric said, “I would have chosen to save her first even if she were a man because she was in imminent danger and Zyacus was not. It had nothing to do with what you’re suggesting.”
“And,” Zyacus cut in, “All of the women training here are formidable, most especially Princess Visteal. A capable woman isn’t a distraction; she’s a warrior. Only someone from Hesstia would need this explained.”
The woman blushed and fanned herself, “Of course, your highness,” she said and bowed her head.
With a serpentine grin, I said, “It’s a little stuffy in here. I’m going to get some fresh air.”
Many in the group bowed as I excused myself and made for the back door. I really did want to get away from everyone for a few minutes. When I was about to shove it open Zyacus popped up a few feet ahead of me.
Eyebrows drawn close, he frowned. “Don’t let that woman get to you.”
“Oh, she didn’t,” I said, lifting one shoulder. “I am simply tired of talking to people. It feels more like a royal function than the first day back at academy. I hope this doesn’t become the norm with our new Headmaster.”
I pushed the doors open and walked into the stone courtyard. I turned when I didn’t hear Zyacus’s footsteps. With a slacken jaw he stared into the evening sky.
“What?” I asked and followed his line of sight.
A red moon shone above, beautiful yet horrifying. I’d never seen the likeness of it before. Occasionally I’d seen it with a red tinge but this was as if the moon had always been scarlet. As if the moon itself had been inflicted with a terrible wound and blood seeped from its core to bubble over its surface.
Chapter 11
If I had questioned what the old man had said about an impending blood moon, if I had thought it but a fantasy, I didn’t anymore. My stomach twisted as I stared. I couldn’t take my eyes from it; it was so... wrong.
“Shit, that old man was right,” Zyacus mu
mbled. “You were right. My father is going to kick himself.”
“I don’t even truly know what this means. Before it was just some wild birds and one rogue Fae, but now...”
Soon several others came outside marveling at the scarlet orb in the sky. Some whispered of a bad omen for this to happen on the first day of academy. Others that this place was cursed. A few wondered at its beauty.
Perhaps the Allied Kingdoms Academy was cursed. My vision fell on Zyacus and I watched him stare up at the sky with the others. Maybe God or Zyacus’s gods didn’t want our three kingdoms to become one unified people. They had a vengeful god, Arcta; could he be behind this? Were we destined to be enemies?
It seemed silly to think since I’d never believed in his gods before. I believed in my creator and I didn’t think he’d want chaos over peace. But sometimes when I read the pages of history I wondered if what I thought was naive.
∞∞∞
The next day I dressed in my usual uniform, all black with a red phoenix on the chest, and strapped myself with weapons. Loud purring drew my eyes to the closet. Atticus, the fluffy white cat strutted out and bumped into my legs. “Princess, I am exhilarated you have returned.”
“As am I, Atticus. It’s good to see you again.”
“Any new drama I should be aware of? The first few days of academy can be such a bore. No one is fighting yet,” he said silently in my mind. “How is our wicked, handsome prince?”
I chuckled and combed through my hair. “You’re supposed to bring me the drama, not the other way around. And the prince is well. Looking and being as good as ever. He’s not so wicked toward me anymore.”
Atticus hopped onto the vanity and sat in front of the mirror, blocking my view. “I heard that Delilah May, a fifth-year Delhoon girl, was caught kissing a boy from Collweya in a broom closet last night after the party. Oh and of course the blood moon but you saw that, no doubt. Like I said, not too much to gossip about.”
I chuckled finding it amusing that the cat gossip network would talk about who is kissing who in a closet. “I wouldn’t say the first day was too boring. The princes and I fought trolls in the arena.”
“Meh,” he said flicking his tail. “Not that your victory was unimpressive but all saw it. Cats prefer the details not everyone knows about.”
I guess fighting trolls wasn’t anything new and juicy. “Well, here is something you can do. Find out everything you can about the Fae, the people the merfolk say live across the sea, and report back to me. Especially about a prince from the Winter and Night Courts.”
“Interesting assignment but of course I am up to the task.” He blinked a few times then went to licking his paw. “Consider it done.”
I headed out the door and checked my schedule one more time to make sure I knew where my first class was.
After a breakfast filled with chatter about the blood moon, a note conjured out of a nearby candle and fell onto my lap. When I read it I started thinking about the ways I could torture Jennika. Lightning strike. A huge one that would roast her hair. I imagined her with blown-out hair, ends sizzling. Or better yet, shove her face into the lake and hold her till the bubbles stop...
“Who’s that from?” Zyacus asked, leaning close to me.
I turned and planted a long, more-passionate-than-usual-in-public-kiss on his scrumptious lips. I hoped she watched all ten seconds of it.
He pulled away smiling. “Now I want to skip class and hide away with you.”
I chuckled. “How about we hide away after classes. Since it’s the first day and all.”
“I thought I was the responsible one and you were the troublemaker?”
“I’m still trouble,” I purred.
When a chime sounded, all students cleared the dining hall for class. Legacy and I walked together to herbology. Although both my mother and grandmother had taught me a great deal about plants and herbs growing up, I wanted to know more. They’d told me stories of how their knowledge of plants and herbs saved them on multiple occasions.
After partnering up, Professor Nimblewatt, a short, silver-haired Hesstian man who looked as old as an ancient gnarled oak tree, led us to the woods. “I’ve given each group an assignment. You’ll identify and locate the plant on your paper and bring it back to me. Everything will be within this close area so no need to venture far.”
Legacy and I headed off to find a plant with tiny orange blooms growing up a grayish-green stem. I looked down at the paper again. The Vivarna plant is Poisonous. Properties include: a light citrus scent. Prickly stem that will cause a rash on bare skin. If ingested will cause paralysis for up to three hours.
Legacy bent down moving aside tall green grass. “We should totally make a tea out of this and give it to some poor fool. It would be hilarious.”
I scanned the ground looking for tiny orange blossoms. “Umm, no we should definitely not.”
Legacy stood, wiping her hands on her pants. “You’d do it to Jennika.”
I chuckled. “Certainly, but she deserves it.”
“Exactly. I saw her last night. It would seem her banishment has been lifted.”
“Oh, I saw her too. She purposefully dumped her drink on my boots.”
Legacy shot to her full height. “No she didn’t,” she hissed. “What did you do?”
I groaned. “Ugh, nothing. I couldn’t with everyone around. But I’m plotting. She sent me a note at breakfast this morning. She wrote, ‘Don’t get used to him. He’s mine.’”
“I’ll kill her!” Legacy said, stamping her foot. “We have to retaliate.”
“I’m a step ahead of you. Don’t worry.” We walked on looking for our assigned plant.
“Good. Oh, and I saw you talking to Firo Hazelvale,” Legacy said as if that was supposed to warrant a response.
“And?”
“My father says the Hazelvales sided with Queen Kyria during the Queens Challenge and also voted against the opening of this academy. They want a peaceful but separate land.” She stooped down, dropping to one knee. “Do you think they could have been one of the people who paid the vampires to attack?”
I almost laughed but then considered it. “I guess it’s possible but Firo told me he was going to fund this academy. If the Hazelvales wanted it closed, he wouldn’t do that.”
“Found it,” she said, moving her hand in a circular motion around the plant. It slowly pulled up from the ground, white roots dangling as it hovered, and I held out the thick brown cloth we had to wrap it in.
“True, he wouldn’t. I wonder what changed the Hazelvales’ minds?”
I wrapped the plant, careful not to touch it, and we made our way back toward the Professor. “Firo said he found it interesting to watch the students from all kingdoms together. I think he likes the entertainment.”
“He’s so attractive, don’t you think? ”
I shrugged. “I suppose.” His familiar appearance had puzzled me so much I hadn’t even thought of him as attractive or not. I’d only analyzed him with suspicion.
Legacy gave me a light shove. “Oh don’t act like you can’t notice the looks of other men now that you’re with Zy.”
“Kind of like you taking notice of Taron even though you supposedly want to be with Aric?”
Legacy shot me a glare. “You don’t have to be rude. And please don’t tell Aric about him.”
I put a finger to my lips. “I’m staying out of it. The last thing I want to get involved with is a vampire prince and his girlfriend.”
Legacy’s face fell into a frown. “I tried to talk to him yesterday in the dining hall. All he said was ‘hello Legacy, I hope you had a fun break from this academy’ and then he walked away to talk to a group of Collweyans.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yes, like I was nothing more than a girl he met once or something, and he supposedly loved me.”
I truly felt bad for her, I did, but I also could sort of understand Aric. “I’m not trying to defend his behavior b
ut he’s… different.”
“Not to you. I saw you guys work together in the arena.”
I had been surprised at how normal he acted with me. But he didn’t have to push me away because I wasn’t in love with him. “Do you want me to ask him about it?”
My cousin balled her hands into fists. “No, if he wants to talk to me he will on his own.”
Fortunately or maybe unfortunately, only time would tell, I planned on asking Aric regardless of what Legacy wanted. He was my friend, too.
“I also had an idea that may give you a chance to speak with him. Zyacus’s birthday was last week but his father canceled the party. I thought we could plan a surprise one here.”
Legacy beamed. “Like a big party or friends only?”
I’d prefer a smaller party with just friends but Zyacus enjoyed the spotlight. “I think we should make it big.”
“I agree,” she tapped a finger against her lips. “It will be hard to keep it from him if a lot of people know about it, however. What if you take him off grounds on a horse ride or something the day of and I send out the invitations while you’re gone.”
“Yes, good idea. Let’s plan it for this weekend. If you have any ideas, I’m all ears. Party planning isn’t my area.”
“You know I love parties. Should it be in the academy where professors can supervise or,” she grew a mischievous grin, “Shall we keep it from them, plan a secret location by invitation only and have more fun?”
The second option sounded more appealing. “Let’s keep it secret from the professors.”
Legacy clapped her hands together. “Great, I’ll start planning right away. I’ll ask his friends and his cousin Gracie to help; you keep Zyacus distracted for the next couple days.” She winked at me. “It shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”
“I think I can manage. Oh and be sure to send Jennika an invite.”
With a smirk, Legacy said, “Oh, do tell your evil plan.”
∞∞∞
Intermediate Healing was my next class, then Advanced Swords. I couldn’t wait to show off the skills that I’d learned from my father. After that I had: Hand to Hand Combat, Advanced Potions, Sixth Year Spells, Advanced Leadership, and then History. The schedule didn’t denote a specific type of history.