The others are gathered. Most of the Huntsmen I arrived to have already graduated and moved on, but Theo is here with me. He's standing with the princess he's betrothed to. I stopped worrying about how my courtship with Kit was going to go down when I learned that he was courting someone from the main castle.
She's lovely, but everything I know I couldn't be. Not that Kit seems to mind.
"This is where we part ways," Kit says. "But I'll be watching the whole time."
I nod, grateful he's here, especially because of my new found nervousness.
He turns and presses his lips against mine. Just like every other time we've kissed, it sends shivers down my spine and reminds me I've found something wonderful. It's easy to forget all of the difficulties facing me when he's beside me. We break apart, and I meet his gaze. The love in his eyes fills me with strength. I don't ever have to go through things alone. Even if we're parted, which we'll have to be for our work sometimes. We're lucky my first assignment is one we can do together. That's unusual at the best of times.
"Go, I'll be watching the whole time," he promises.
"I know." I lean in and kiss his cheek. "I love you, Kit."
"I love you, Red. Now stop putting it off."
Reluctantly, I walk away, my red cloak swishing against my legs as I make my way up to the small stage. Theo, and the other two Huntsmen graduating with us, also makes his way up there. We stand in a neat line, each of us waiting for our time to be called.
It's only after hearing my name that I realise how important this moment is. Not just for me, or even for the other female Huntsmen who are now part of an institution that only accepted men a little time ago, but for any girl out there right now who wants to become someone like me.
I wanted this before I understood what it would truly mean. That I'll become a legend. And now I know that, I want it even more. I want to change lives. More than I already have.
I search out Kit's face in the crowd. My gaze locks on him, and the moment he notices, he lights up. I'm sure I do too, but I can't focus on that right now.
The only thing I can think of is that I've done it. I've become a Huntsman, like I always wanted. And gained so much more than I expected in the process. And that part makes it all the sweeter.
I'll cherish my red cloak and Huntsman pin for as long as I live.
The End
Thank you for reading Huntsmen And Hoods, I hope you enjoyed it! The Grimm Academy series is returning to the main castle in the next book, Mirrors And Magic, which is a retelling of Snow White! You can find it here: http://books2read.com/mirrorsandmagic
And, if you'd like to meet Red's roommate, you can in this bonus scene: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/17mbm91fm8
Author Note
Thank you for reading Huntsmen And Hoods! I hope you've enjoyed the third book in the Grimm Academy series (and the series as a whole!) it's been so much fun to write. Red has been a departure from the balls and more formal structure of the other books, and it's been fun for me to explore this other part of life at Grimm Academy. The Huntsmen are an integral part of the Grimm World, and will continue to play a role when the world grows beyond Grimm Academy itself (which is coming! You can join my Reader Group or Mailing List for up to date news on upcoming Grimm series!) So far, they've had cameos in some of the other books, and you may have recognised Theo from Lilies Of Loss (part of the Once Upon An Academy series). The rest of the Grimm Academy books will be taking us back to the castle, with Mirrors And Magic (Snow White) coming next, then Lamps And Lies (Aladdin, but gender-flipped) and Frosts And Fears (The Snow Queen) coming soon.
Oh, and if you’re wondering about Red’s roommate, Zerrin will have her own story in Glints Of Gold (part of the Once Upon An Academy series) - a retelling of Rumplestiltskin.
In some ways, Red's adventures reminded me a little of my childhood. Not that I was part of a fairy tale (alas, no Prince to sweep me off my feet at eighteen! I didn't meet my partner until later), but it did bring back memories of playing with one of my brothers in our grandparents' garden. We made our own bows, chased each other around, and had adventures in the "woods" (in reality, it was just a handful of trees, but my Granddad did build me a playhouse among them!) Red's bow making skills far surpassed those of me and my brother, but it still made me smile to think about those memories.
I hope to see you again on the next trip to Grimm Academy! Stay safe, and happy reading!
- Laura
Also by Laura Greenwood
The Grimm World
Grimm Academy Series (fairy tale academy)
Fate Of The Crown Duology (Arthurian Academy)
Once Upon An Academy Series (Fairy Tale Academy)
* * *
Books in the Obscure World
Ashryn Barker Trilogy (urban fantasy, completed series)
Grimalkin Academy: Kittens Series (paranormal academy, completed series)
Grimalkin Academy: Catacombs Trilogy (paranormal academy, completed series)
City Of Blood Trilogy (urban fantasy)
Grimalkin Academy: Stakes Trilogy (paranormal academy)
The Harpy Bounty Hunter Trilogy (urban fantasy)
The Black Fan (vampire romance)
Sabre Woods Academy (paranormal academy)
The Shadow Seer Association (urban fantasy)
* * *
Books in the Forgotten Gods World
The Queen of Gods Trilogy (paranormal/mythology romance)
Forgotten Gods Series (paranormal/mythology romance, completed series)
* * *
Books in the Paranormal Council Universe
The Paranormal Council Series (shifter romance, completed series)
The Fae Queen Of Winter Trilogy (paranormal/fantasy)
Thornheart Coven Series (witch romance)
Return Of The Fae Series (paranormal post-apocalyptic, completed series)
Paranormal Criminal Investigations Series (urban fantasy mystery)
MatchMater Paranormal Dating App Series (paranormal romance, completed series)
The Necromancer Council Trilogy (urban fantasy)
Standalone Stories From the Paranormal Council Universe
* * *
Other Series
Untold Tales Series (urban fantasy fairy tales)
The Dragon Duels Trilogy (urban fantasy dystopia)
ME Contemporary Standalones (contemporary romance)
Standalones
Seven Wardens, co-written with Skye MacKinnon (paranormal/fantasy romance, completed series)
Tales Of Clan Robbins, co-written with L.A. Boruff (urban fantasy Western)
The Firehouse Feline, co-written with Lacey Carter Andersen & L.A. Boruff (paranormal/urban fantasy romance)
Kingdom Of Fairytales Snow White, co-written with J.A. Armitage (fantasy fairy tale)
* * *
Twin Souls Universe
Twin Souls Trilogy, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance, completed series)
Dragon Soul Series, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance, completed series)
The Renegade Dragons Trilogy, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance, completed series)
The Vampire Detective Trilogy, co-written with Arizona Tape (urban fantasy mystery, completed series)
Amethyst’s Wand Shop Mysteries Series, co-written with Arizona Tape (urban fantasy)
* * *
Mountain Shifters Universe
Valentine Pride Trilogy, co-written with L.A. Boruff (paranormal shifter romance, completed series)
Magic and Metaphysics Academy Trilogy, co-written with L.A. Boruff (paranormal academy, completed series)
Mountain Shifters Standalones, co-written with L.A. Boruff (paranormal romance)
* * *
Audiobooks: www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/audio.html
About the Author
Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she can be found drinking
ridiculous amounts of tea, trying to resist French Macaroons, and watching the Pitch Perfect trilogy for the hundredth time (at least!)
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Website: www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk
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Huntsmen and Hoods Page 9