by Sarah Noffke
“Once we have a better grasp of the new life in the forest, we’ll invite you all to explore and learn. It’s important that we first get a handle on things and also ensure there’s nothing that could be of harm to our students or anyone else. Most of what we’re discovering in the Bewilder Forest are brand new species and require much research.”
“Wow!” a student exclaimed, followed by many other enthusiastic comments.
Paris gulped, not as impassioned as the other students since she knew it was her blood creating new plants and more. She didn’t know how all that was possible, but magic made many things happen that were unexplainable.
“Since you all have an exam tomorrow,” Hemingway continued, “I’m going to ask that you all go to the greenhouse and study the textbook for the remainder of the class. There are no easy ways to pass the test. You must know the information.”
With obvious disappointment, many of the students nodded before heading to the greenhouse. Many looked longingly over their shoulders at Lunis and Sophia, some waving as they trudged away, a bit deflated.
“Well, good luck with whatever you came here to see,” Paris said to Sophia, trying to keep her disappointment out of her voice.
“Oh, you don’t want to come along then?” Hemingway sported a sly grin, knowing she did.
Paris’ eyes widened with surprise. “What? I can? Really?”
“Well, as we discussed, you already know the material on the exam,” Hemingway stated. “Plus, the Bewilder Forest was regrown by your blood. So I think that if anyone gets a sneak peek, it should be you.”
Paris was so thrilled that she didn’t know what to say. She beamed at Hemingway and Sophia, grateful she could accompany them on this expedition. However, she was also aware of the tension deep in the pit of her stomach—nervous about what she’d find in the Bewilder Forest.
The brand-new place was a product of her: part magician, part fairy, with a little demon blood.
Chapter Nine
“Tonight?” Sophia asked Paris as the three strode toward the Bewilder Forest, Lunis bringing up the rear. “That’s so exciting that Liv and Stefan are returning to the House. People are going to be shocked. What a sight that will be to see.”
“I’m nervous,” Paris admitted. “No one knows about me. So on top of the House learning that my parents are back, they’ll learn about me.”
“I can understand that,” Sophia said sensitively. “It’s a lot at once and seems like a lot of pressure, but don’t worry. You’re going to be a star when they reveal that you’re a halfling.” She looked out proudly at the Bewilder Forest. “I mean, look at what you’re capable of creating.”
“It is pretty incredible,” Hemingway added, awe in his tone.
“Don’t worry about having too much attention,” Lunis offered. “Liv is pretty much a diva who will take center stage and not share the spotlight with anyone else.”
Sophia rolled her eyes at her dragon. “That’s not true. She has a commanding presence and speaks her mind freely. Stefan happens to be the strong, quiet type.”
“So, what are you taking us to see?” Paris asked Hemingway, her excitement almost too much.
He flashed a sideways grin at her. “Don’t you want to be surprised?”
“I've had a lifetime of surprises, but sure,” she answered.
“That reminds me,” Lunis began casually. “You know what my friend the custodian said when he jumped out of the closet?”
“You don’t have a custodian friend,” Sophia said dryly.
“What did he say?” Hemingway encouraged with an amused look.
“Supplies!” Lunis laughed.
Paris and Hemingway both laughed. Sophia shook her head, not looking impressed.
As they approached the Bewilder Forest, so many things competed for Paris’ attention. Plants of all sizes, shapes, and colors filled the forest floor. Little eyes poked through thick leaves every so often. In the branches overhead were the strange songs of various unseen birds. The trees also appeared to be from another world with rainbow-colored trunks or unique textures or feather-like leaves. It truly felt as if Paris had stepped onto a different planet.
“Have you contacted Bermuda Laurens, the author of Magical Creatures and the utmost expert on animals?” Sophia asked Hemingway when they paused on the edge of the forest.
He shook his head. “It’s on my list though. Thanks to your help, I have her contact information.”
“She will be highly curious about all these new species,” Sophia stated.
“Astrid, the plant expert on Roya Lane, is also interested in the things we’re classifying,” Hemingway explained.
“I can’t believe that your blood grew all this,” Sophia said to Paris, her eyes wide as she took in the sights around them. “You continue to astonish me.”
Hemingway nodded proudly. “So far, I’ve cataloged sixty-five new species of plants. The animals aren’t my specialty, but there are dozens I don’t think can be found anywhere else.”
“Oh, Bermuda is going to have a field day here!” Sophia said with excitement.
“What I think you’ll find of supreme interest is that.” Hemingway pointed ahead at something streaking through low branches, expertly maneuvering through the dense forest.
In the darkened area, it was hard for Paris to make out exactly what she saw at first. It appeared to be a flying insect of sorts, but there was more to it.
“Oh, wow,” Sophia murmured.
“Talk about cool,” Lunis added.
“What is it?” Paris narrowed her eyes at the creature. It was a beautiful bright blue dragonfly with a long body and wings to match. However, that wasn’t what was so interesting. The bizarre part was sitting on the top of the dragonfly as it swerved around branches heading in their direction.
Sitting atop the large blue dragonfly was none other than the tiniest fairy Paris had ever seen.
Sophia grinned wide, nodding at her niece. “That is none other than the first dragonfly rider in history, sparked by your halfling blood.”
Chapter Ten
“I want one,” Lunis said with a dreamy expression, watching the dragonfly and rider zip through the air.
“I think they have to stay here,” Hemingway explained diplomatically.
“You already have a menagerie of animals,” Sophia scolded her dragon.
“I don’t have a tiny fairy and a dragonfly that totally matches me,” Lunis sang.
The blue dragonfly did match Lunis. It landed on the top of a large red mushroom as the tiny fairy pulled on what appeared to be thin vines fashioned into reins and a bridle. Once the dragonfly’s wings settled still, the fairy slid out of the makeshift saddle and stood on top of the mushroom. It looked up at the three people and dragon and waved.
“It’s adorable,” Lunis said.
“It’s a he,” Sophia corrected.
She was right. The tiny fairy was about an inch tall and had light blue wings. He’d pulled his blond hair back in a low ponytail and wore clothes made from leaves and other materials from the Bewilder Forest.
“Can they talk?” Sophia asked Hemingway.
He nodded. “Problem is, I can’t understand them.”
“Oh, well, that makes sense,” she replied. “I guess they’d have their own language.”
“Not only that,” Hemingway stated. “Watch.” He leaned low. “Hey, how are you today?”
The tiny fairy opened his mouth and spoke quickly. His words didn’t make sense to Paris and sounded like a series of squeaks.
“Seriously, that’s adorable.” Lunis looked as though he might fall over from cuteness overload.
“They're too tiny for us to hear them?” Paris questioned. “Maybe we can get a megaphone.”
“Good idea,” Hemingway said proudly, standing tall once more. “Yes, I think they speak their language, although they seem to understand what I say.”
“How many are there?” Sophia asked. “Is this the only one who ride
s a dragonfly? I have so many questions. This is fascinating.”
Hemingway looked ready to burst when he held up a single finger, pausing her. “This is the most exciting part. Hold on.” He leaned down again, his nose inches from the small fairy and dragonfly. “Can you call the rest of your tribe? My friends would like to meet them.”
The fairy flashed a toothy grin, tucking his thumbs into his armpits and nodding. He then put two fingers in his mouth and made a loud, high-pitched whistle.
At first, nothing happened. Paris scanned the forest around them, wondering what she was looking for. She glanced down at her feet, not daring to move, afraid that she might step on one of the miniature fairies.
However, the sound of hundreds of beating wings stole her attention seconds later. She tensed, worried that a swarm of bees or something dangerous could be heading in their direction.
Through the darkened forest, a few dozen dragonflies soared in their direction. Atop each one of them were little fairies of various colors—all of them matching their ride.
“Amazing.” Sophia watched as the dragonfly riders zipped around them, seeming to put on a show for their new guests, squeaks echoing from their tiny mouths.
“I thought you’d appreciate this,” Hemingway said, his eyes dazzled with amazement.
Lunis nodded. “It’s an entire clan of fairy dragonfly riders.”
Paris held her breath, watching as the swarm of dragonflies zoomed around them before retreating into the forest once more as if they only dared to make a brief appearance.
“They must have bonded with the dragonflies out of a mutual benefit,” Sophia mused.
“They communicate with each other,” Lunis added. “There are obvious similarities to us.”
Sophia nodded, watching as the last of the dragonflies and riders disappeared. She glanced down at the lone fairy and blue dragonrider on the red mushroom. “You all are amazing.”
The fairy bowed low, and when he straightened, he kissed his hand and blew it at Sophia as if to say, “You are too.”
Turning to Paris, Hemingway looked at her with an expression that made her feel like a queen. “Do you see what you created? An entire world that’s complex and amazing and full of so much love. This forest is like you, Paris, and I can’t wait to explore it more.”
Chapter Eleven
Paris wished that she could have spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in the Bewilder Forest with Sophia, Lunis, and Hemingway. However, the dragon and his rider had a meeting at the White House—which impressed Hemingway. He was, of course, grateful that they stopped by to see his discovery with the dragonfly riders, although there wasn’t anything to do about them except appreciate the fact that they existed.
Even if Sophia and Lunis could have hung around Happily Ever After College, Paris had to go to Magical Cooking. First off, she wanted to find out what was wrong with Chef Ash. Also, she needed to prepare for the exam the next day. She wasn’t worried about passing the test, whether it was a multiple-choice exam or cooking assignment, but it was the responsible thing to at least know what she needed to prepare for.
When Paris cruised into the magical cooking classroom, she immediately halted. Standing at the front of the demonstration kitchen was a woman in the traditional blue gown and pink sash that showed she was a graduate fairy godmother. Paris didn’t recognize her. However, she instantly didn’t like her and didn’t know exactly why.
Maybe it was the pinched expression on the woman’s face as she scrutinized every student as they took their seat. Perhaps it was because she had a familiar look about her that Paris couldn’t quite place but definitely didn’t like. Or maybe it was because she was tapping her slippered foot impatiently as Paris stood inside the classroom.
“Take a seat, Miss Beaufont,” the woman said in a clipped tone. She had her long grayish hair tied up into a tight bun, and her wrinkled hands pressed together in front of her. “I’m about to start class.”
“Where’s Chef Ash?” Paris didn’t move from her spot.
“Over here, Paris.” He raised his hand at a nearby workstation.
Paris looked between Chef Ash and the woman. “What are you doing over there?” she asked him and glanced at the fairy godmother. “Who are you?”
“Chef Ash isn’t and has never been qualified to teach magical cooking,” the woman explained in a snooty tone. “Once it came to the FGA board that classes were being taught by those who aren’t fairy godmother graduates, new assignments were made.”
“I thought the board could only make recommendations.” Paris looked between Chef Ash and the woman, wanting this to all be some stupid mistake.
“Miss Beaufont, the FGA board can unfortunately only make recommendations about curriculum under the current Saint Valentine,” the fairy godmother explained rudely. “However, classes must be taught by accredited teachers, or Happily Ever After College risks losing its reputation and much more. Enrollment is abysmally low already, and now I see why.”
“Mother, Magical Gardening is taught by the groundskeeper,” Becky Montgomery said from her workstation.
Mother. With that thought, Paris put it all together. Of course, Becky’s mother had stuck her nose into the college’s business and was now going to try and ruin things there.
The woman coughed with disapproval heavy in her tone. “I am aware, Rebecca. Thank you. We are currently looking for a fairy godmother suitable to take over that class and ballroom dancing. The help shouldn’t teach classes. That’s disgraceful. Thankfully for you all, I’m a culinary expert and had an opening in my schedule to take over this class for you.”
“Hemingway and Wilfred are more than qualified to teach their classes and don’t need to be replaced,” Paris said in an angry rush. “Chef Ash is also a culinary expert who we are lucky to have as a professor.”
Chef Ash shot her a grateful smile from his place at a workstation.
“It seems that your lack of qualified instructors has lowered your expectations, Miss Beaufont,” the woman said. “The cook who makes the students’ meals shouldn’t be the one to teach the classes. Saint Valentine and the headmistress have ignored some boundaries at the college for too long. Although the board can’t at the current time change curriculum, when it comes to qualified instructors, we have much authority.”
“Chef Ash is more than a cook who scrambles eggs.” Paris felt heat rise to her face. She was about ready to boil the fairy godmother before her.
“The fact that you, Chef Ash, serve savory dishes as options to the students has also come to the board’s attention,” the woman said to him with a pointed look. “You are aware that fairies operate best when given a diet of desserts.”
“Not all fairies do,” Chef Ash countered. “Some prefer a wide range, and although sweets are good at restoring magic quickly, a balanced diet does have a benefit.”
The woman sighed, shaking her head. “There are so many misconceptions for me to fix, it seems.”
“So now the board is going to tell us what we can eat?” Paris questioned. “Anything else? You want to tell us what position to sleep in? Maybe how many times we chew our food? Oh, how about how to tie our shoes.”
The fairy godmother narrowed her gaze on Paris’ black combat boots. “I think we’d like to start by telling you what to wear and that shoes with laces have no place in a fairy godmother’s closet.”
“Wow, you really need a hobby,” Paris jabbed. “You have way too much time on your hands if you’re sticking your nose into my closet or eating habits.”
“Do you see what I mean, Mother?” Becky said in a shrill voice.
The woman nodded. “I do, indeed, Rebecca.” She glanced around the room with an annoyed expression. “Now, take your seat, Miss Beaufont. I’ve granted you way too much time speaking out of turn in this class. It won’t happen again.”
Instead of replying or taking her usual seat, Paris strode straight over to where Chef Ash was sitting and pulled up a stool and sat next
to him. He seemed surprised by her allegiance, but she winked at him and smiled.
“Hey, I’ll be copying off you,” she said loud enough for others to hear. “Can’t go wrong looking over the expert’s shoulder.”
This produced gasps and whispers from around the classroom. Becky’s mother appeared about ready to throw a knife at Paris. Instead, she clapped her wrinkled hands together.
“Now, I’m Virginia Montgomery, and I’ll be your instructor for Magical Cooking from now on. Unfortunately, I haven’t been here to assist in your success for tomorrow’s exam. That means many of you probably won’t do very well on the test, and as you know, a failing grade could mean your expulsion from Happily Ever After College.”
She sighed and shrugged as if this was unfortunate, but her hands were tied in the matter. “That’s simply the way it is, and the FGA board hopes to avoid such problems for students in the future. However, you will have today to work on the project I’ll assign you for tomorrow’s exam. It isn’t much time and will undoubtedly prove problematic for some.”
Virginia looked straight at Paris, threat heavy in her gaze.
So that's the game she's playing. They were going to try and get rid of her this way. Still, Paris knew how to cook, so she wasn’t that worried.
However, at that precise moment, Virginia Montgomery flashed a victorious smile as if she knew what Paris was thinking. “For your exam, you have to make something so sweet that it wows me visually so much that without trying it, I can taste the sugar. Only real fairies can pass this test!”
Chapter Twelve
If Paris wasn’t worried before, the look that Chef Ash gave her didn’t fill her with confidence. She wanted to assure the guy sitting beside her that she was up for this challenge, as though he was the one who needed the confidence boost and not her. However, she knew that he was worried for a good reason. Virginia Montgomery was up to something, and it was definitely about getting Paris kicked out of Happily Ever After College.