Boom. Nailed it.
I checked my watch.
Gotta go.
I darted around the corner to the corridor that would lead me to the closest side exit. This hallway ran alongside classrooms, so I didn’t think I’d have to worry about bumping into anyone on Saturday, but then I was startled by a big, bellowing voice.
“Crisa!”
I dropped my jacket from the surprise.
Girtha Bobunk, formerly known as Big Girtha and younger sister to the famous Hansel & Gretel twins, trotted over. My face broke into a grin. She was one of the few people at school that I actually did want to see. Long ago, the girl had been my enemy, but this semester she’d become a good friend. I trusted her and valued her friendship.
I had to stand on my toes to hug her—she was close to six feet tall and solid as a tree. She blew the choppy brown bangs out of her eyes and smiled at me. “Welcome back,” she said. Then she pointed behind me. “You dropped your jacket.”
I spun around. “Oh, right.” I rescued the thing from the floor and dusted it off, ashamed I’d let it fall. “How have you been?”
Girtha shrugged. “Good,” she replied. “Twenty-Three Skidd has been great, spring break was a lot of work but worth it, I’ve made a bunch of new friends at school, and I even got elected secretary treasurer of the gardening club.”
“Really?” I said. “You? Gardening?”
“It relaxes me. Plus, a girl can have more than one vibe.”
“You’re a hundred percent correct,” I said cheerily.
“I’d ask you how you’ve been,” Girtha said coyly, “but between that official press release and Lady Agnue’s announcement last night, I reckon your answer is a bit more complicated.”
“Try a million miles of complicated,” I responded. “How about we meet in the library after dinner tonight and I’ll tell you all about it. In the meantime, I’m sorry to be rude, but I’ve actually got a thing before Twenty-Three Skidd practice. I have to—”
“Meet Chance,” Girtha interrupted. “Yeah, I know. I’m on my way to meet Divya to head over to practice myself. See you later.” Girtha gave me an amiable slap on the back and continued walking.
“Wait,” I said. “How did you know I was meeting Chance?”
“Just let it go, Crisa,” Girtha called back with a wave. “And have fun.”
I bit my lip in confusion. Then I put on my jacket and resigned to being surprised by whatever awaited me outside.
When half past three struck, I stood on the lawn as the area at the top of the In and Out Spell protecting our school lit up in mystical colors. The time-crack opened to let my fellow female protagonists and I out for practice. The enchantment ran on a clock; it would seal itself shortly then reopen at the exact time we were supposed to return from practice.
It was a shame that we had to go through such elaborate measures to play a sport we loved so much, but Lady Agnue’s didn’t have a Twenty-Three Skidd arena like Lord Channing’s. From a budget allocation standpoint it must’ve made sense to our school officials. Even now that Lord Channing’s was letting girls try out for the traditionally all-boys sport, their school had plenty of people with the skill and interest to fill teams while ours did not. Nevertheless, not having our own arena was a bitterly unfair disadvantage.
How were girls at my school ever expected to achieve the same strength and skill as the boys if we were not given the same resources? As it stood, only five of us had made the teams even though dozens of us had tried out. That disparity alone highlighted the problem. It was an issue close to my core and a cause very near to my heart. We needed more opportunities to train—not just for the sake of competing on teams, but for the sake of bettering ourselves on a personal fulfillment level too.
Alas, that seemed to be an improbable dream. Lady Agnue’s had stood on these grounds for generations, and no initiative had ever been taken by the school’s higher-ups to improve female training facilities. Unlike Lord Channing’s, which sported the latest and greatest in everything a hero would need to get better, Lady Agnue’s was limited. Even worse? The fire that’d been unleashed by the magic hunters’ kidnapping attempt had burned down much of the little we did have. The practice fields, the barn, and the stables had been torched by the blaze. And that filled me with a guilt I didn’t think I’d live long enough to overcome.
It had been a couple months since the fire, but I wondered how much had been rebuilt. I was not looking forward to seeing the damage from the air when Chance and I flew out of here.
Several seconds passed and I saw two Pegasi fly up to the opening in the In and Out Spell. Each carried a rider—Girtha and Divya Patel. They were both on the Twenty-Three Skidd team called the Lyons, along with Chance. Their team met for practice on the same days as the Seven Suns, so we used the same time-crack. While my team trained, they killed time at Lord Channing’s by using the school’s training facilities. When the Seven Suns’ practice was over, we switched roles then returned to school together in the evening
I wondered where they’d taken off from. It looked like their trajectory routed from the direction of the practice fields. Maybe the stable had been rebuilt? I clutched hope in my heart.
Suddenly a great gray blob blocked out part of the sky.
Lucky.
My dragon swooped through the time-crack with the grace of a falcon and landed directly in front of me. Chance Darling rode on his neck. For a moment, the sun caught in the prince’s hair. I opened my mouth to say something, but the words got stuck in my throat. I cleared it, patted Lucky on the snout, and tried again.
“So, Chance, what do you want to show me?”
Lucky nuzzled his scaly face against my hand, but Chance did not respond.
“Chance?”
I looked up at the prince, still perched on Lucky’s neck. He extended his hand.
“Come on, Crisanta. Time is short.”
I was slightly taken aback. Didn’t this guy used to be obsessed with me? Not that I wanted the extra attention or needed fawning over, but I was kind of expecting it.
“A bit direct today, aren’t you?” I commented, crossing my arms.
Chance gave me a sly smile that made his chiseled features and sparkling eyes light up. “Match the action to the girl,” he said. “Besides, while I may have worked with the Fairy Godmothers to lengthen today’s time-crack from five minutes to fifteen, I figure I only have about two minutes before I lose your interest.”
I returned his smile with a coy one of my own. “Who says you have it to start with?” I countered.
“You showed up, didn’t you?”
“Okay, I’ll give you that.”
“Good,” he said. “Now climb on. You gave me one shot to prove how serious I am about you, Crisanta. And I have been hard at work over the last two months to see it through. However, we still must move quickly if we are to get you to practice on time.”
“All right,” I said hesitantly. I climbed onboard Lucky behind Chance. When I was settled, he reached into his pocket and produced a bandana of sorts. I could see where this was going.
“Oh no,” I said as he offered it to me. “I don’t do blindfolds.”
Chance sighed. “Crisanta, please? It’s a surprise.”
“Sorry, I’ve had enough surprises recently to last a lifetime. The answer is no.”
“Have it your way,” Chance said. “But will you at least close your eyes for a minute while Lucky takes us where we need to go?”
“Ugh, fine.”
“Thank you. Now hold on tight.”
I didn’t want to, but I was familiar with how jolting Lucky’s takeoffs could be, so I wrapped my arms around Chance’s waist. My eyes widened a touch when I felt his abs.
Chance glanced back. I huffed and closed my eyes. I sensed him give Lucky a small kick and we jumped into the sky.
“So, is learning to ride Lucky some new form of Driver’s Ed offered at Lord Channing’s that I should know about?” I asked over th
e whistling wind.
“Actually, yes,” Chance replied. “But the reason he was necessary today was because of Blue. She said that after going through all the trouble to prepare this gift for you, I shouldn’t skimp on presentation. She thought your first view of it would count more from up here.”
“And what gift is that?” I asked.
“Open your eyes and see for yourself.”
I did as he advised and found us soaring across the sky over Lady Agnue’s. When I looked down, my mouth fell open in shock. The practice fields. They were . . . They were . . . I couldn’t think of a way to describe it, but the words “absolutely beautiful” did come to mind.
When I had left school a couple months ago, the practice fields looked like a giant scorch mark. Now everything was shiny and new. The grass was green, there were freshly planted trees along the perimeter, and the restored track and obstacle course shimmered in the afternoon sun. At the far end, a brand-new barn and stable even stood proudly.
But that wasn’t even the half of it. What really caused my heart to ricochet off my ribcage was the new addition to the campus. The practice fields had expanded. The property line of Lady Agnue’s had moved to include part of the forest that had previously been neutral territory between our school and Lord Channing’s. I say previously because there was no doubt that this section of forest now belonged to us. Surrounded by trees on one side and the flat land of our practice fields on the other was a magnificent stadium. It was a Twenty-Three Skidd arena! Smaller than the one at Lord Channing’s, but fully to scale and decorated with Lady Agnue’s school colors.
We flew into the open-mouthed stadium and Lucky landed on the pristine field at the center. Completely transfixed, I slid off the dragon and gazed around in wonder with my mouth agape.
What the what?!
The bleachers were covered in purple leather cushions. There were racks of freshly lacquered lacrosse swords mounted on shelves in the team dugouts. The goal posts shot high into the clouds like the most stunning beacons I had ever seen. I couldn’t believe it.
When Chance joined me, it was all I could do not to hug him. “You . . . you built a Twenty-Three Skidd arena,” I stuttered aloud, still in awe of the incredible sight. “And you rebuilt the practice fields for Lady Agnue’s.”
“No, Crisa. I rebuilt the practice fields for you,” he said simply.
I looked at him in wonder. “How?”
Chance shrugged. “You always accuse me of being too charming, and perhaps I am. But believe it or not, sometimes that quality can come in handy. For example, the characteristic is vital when raising funds for a massive construction and restoration project, convincing your intimidating headmistress and both our schools’ senior faculty members to sanction a Twenty-Three Skidd arena for your school, and inspiring the support of two student bodies to find volunteers to actually execute the work.”
I continued staring at him. Then I took another wide-eyed glimpse of the stadium before putting my hands on my hips and shaking my head.
“I’m not gonna lie, Chance,” I said. “I never expected this. I thought the guilt over the scar I left on this campus would haunt me forever. But the scar is gone. You wiped all that death and darkness away. And this arena . . .”
Emotion welled up in my throat, but I swallowed it gruffly. “It is more than a gift to me, Chance. Do you realize what you’ve given to my entire school? What you’ve given to every girl who’ll ever go to this school?”
“Yes,” he said. “It was a win-win. I knew it would make you happy, but it would also give the students at Lady Agnue’s the equal treatment they deserve. Now all girls like you who have the heart of a hero can have more resources to bring it forth. It was a change that was long overdue. The world needs more heroines. It needs more Crisanta Knights. I hope this can help with that.”
Oh boy. Here come the feelings.
I honestly didn’t know what to do or say. This wasn’t a gesture. This was a grand, wonderful thing that defied definition. With the practice fields, Chance had given me a fresh start. He’d scrubbed out the memory of that horrible night with the magic hunters and I couldn’t thank him enough for it. Meanwhile, the Twenty-Three Skidd arena was a gift that not only satisfied my own yearnings and hopes for this school, but that of countless other girls too.
How could I even begin to express what this meant to me?
For a start, I turned to Chance, took his hands in mine, and spoke with utter sincerity.
“Thank you,” I said.
Chance grinned confidently. “You’re happy?”
“Ecstatic.”
“Good.” He nodded and continued to hold my hands. “Then where do we go from here?”
Where do we go from here?
Chance wanted to prove that his feelings for me were genuine. This certainly did that. And it also made me feel a lot of things for the prince in return. It wasn’t what he felt for me—I was sure of that. However, it did open up a new chamber in my heart that could perhaps make room for it.
“I believe your feelings for me are real,” I said carefully. “And I am willing to give you this—a shot. You deserve that. Truly. But, Chance . . . I’ve never dated anyone before. I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel or what to do. So honestly, I really don’t know where we go from here. Let’s just play it by ear, okay?”
Chance looked at me with warmth and understanding. “Okay.” He squeezed my hands one time then let go. “Now let’s get you to practice before the time-crack closes. You have a reputation of ferocity to protect.”
We climbed on board Lucky and I wrapped my arms around Chance’s waist again. As we flew into the sky, I glanced over my shoulder and beheld the majesty of the stadium once more. When I turned back, I saw the corners of Chance’s mouth creep into a smug smile.
“Oh, you think you’re in now, huh? Prince Chance Darling—you build a girl an arena and you think she’s gonna automatically swoon for you.”
Chance laughed. “Come now, Crisanta. I doubt a thousand arenas would make you swoon. But that is not the point of all this. The point is that you’re happy and you haven’t insulted me since we came out here.”
“And you call that a win?” I asked.
“No.” Chance said confidently. “I call that a start.”
hat are you doing here?” Dillain Bardó asked with a scowl as I trotted onto the field of Lord Channing’s Twenty-Three Skidd Arena.
The ten co-members of my team were getting ready to start practice. Chance had landed Lucky outside the arena and dropped me off so I could enter on my own. Before we parted ways, he’d asked if I would save him a dance at next Saturday’s ball. I told him I’d be glad to.
Daniel smiled as I approached. Several other boys waved hello too. However, a select few did not look pleased to see me. Dillain was one of the guys on the roster that had never gotten used to the idea of a princess as a teammate in a sport for heroes. A couple of months ago, I’d been delighted to prove that his prejudice was misplaced by consistently besting him. Today I intended to repeat that. Chance was right; I had a reputation of ferocity to protect. More than that, I had lost time to make up.
“Dillain, I was literally sitting across from you last night when Lord Channing made the announcement about Jason, the girls, and I being back on campus,” Daniel said, annoyed.
“I know that,” Dillain responded, his cruel hazel eyes looking at me condescendingly. “I just mean what is she doing at practice.” He turned to me. “You can’t honestly think you can still play with us. You’ve been gone for two months. You’re out of shape.”
“It wasn’t Crisa’s choice to leave campus,” said Javier Marcos, one of our team captains. “It was the magic hunter attack that made her go. Gordon and I decided at the time that we’d hold her spot until she returned. We explained that to the whole team then so you knew perfectly well she’d be back eventually.”
Javier was kind. He was my height and rugged with dark curly hair, coffee-colored eye
s, and a solid tan. He and our other team captain, Prince Gordon Sinclaire—my friend Marie Sinclaire’s older brother—had always treated me fairly. I appreciated that.
“However,” Javier continued, angling toward me. “Crisa, since you’ve been gone a while, you can’t expect everything to be as it was. We promoted you to first-string when you were at your peak. We’ve got a match next Saturday against the White Dwarves, so for now, the roster will remain as it was before spring break. You and Bailie are set as alternates until you can prove yourself again. Okay?”
“That’s fair, Javi,” I said. “And I promise to do just that by our next competition.”
I’d learned there were several Twenty-Three Skidd matches scheduled for next weekend and the Seven Suns were playing Saturday. This meant I only had three practice sessions to prove myself (today, Tuesday, and Thursday). I knew I could do it though. I may have been out of practice, but I was far from out of shape. I was sharper, faster, and stronger than ever. I only needed to apply those skills here.
Several of my non-fans on the team scoffed at my assertion.
“Yeah, okay,” Dillain said. “You planning on enchanting your way to that goal?”
“What?” I said.
“Better watch out, Dillain,” Bailie chimed in. “She might use her Pure Magic on you if you make her mad.”
The comments left me speechless.
“Shut up, man,” Daniel said. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hey, it’s a fair assumption,” Bailie responded with a shrug. “Pure Magic makes people powerful and corrupts them with darkness. It’s a disease, and I for one would like all the cards on the table before I play in close contact with someone carrying it.”
“Exactly,” Dillain continued, stepping closer to me. “Own up to it, Crisa. You have powers of life, right? You gonna take ours if we don’t play by your rules? Gonna dish out a little magic if you’re angry or annoyed or it’s just your time of the month?”
Crisanta Knight: The Lost King Page 43