Rakarthen Academy

by Clara Hartley

  “Do they bother you a lot?”

  “The bullying does get out of hand.”

  “I can’t predict what the fae will do.”

  Maybe with my victory, the fae would have a better impression of dragon-kind. It could help secure relations between Constanria and Thesnan.

  I entered my new lodgings, inspecting the interior. There were two beds, a low ceiling, some flickerflies in a lantern on a desk, and a chest next to my bed. It wasn’t anything to boast about, especially when compared to my room in Constanria. My chambers were at least three times the size of this place.

  “Kaji will share the room with you,” Charmingface said. He leaned in my doorway and folded his arms across his chest. “It’s usually two students to one room, and I’m assuming you’d rather lodge with your friend rather than some random fae.”

  I stepped toward the window to take in the view. I saw Mayhem curling up at the steps of the dorms. My chest warmed at the sight. My ingoria was always watching somewhere nearby. He was lying on his paws and falling asleep.

  Seeing Mayhem helped me to calm down. “I’ll sleep on this bed, then,” I said, moving toward it. As I sat on the mattress, I felt a hard object next to me. I frowned, then pulled the sheets off the bed.

  Someone had placed spikes on my bed. They were made of glass but were still sharp enough to hurt me if I sat on them.

  I froze.

  “Ah,” Charmingface said. “I see the fae still haven’t given up.”

  “They want to kill me.”

  “Well, of course. We don’t trust you. You’re a foreigner from lands that have betrayed ours before.”

  I noticed how he used the pronoun “we” and not “they.” He likely shared the sentiment, but like Nemreth, Charmingface was an expert at hiding his true intentions. I reached for the spikes. A shock zapped my fingers. I flinched.

  Charmingface raised his brows. “They’re magicked, too. My students really seem to want to hurt you.”

  “They’re driving me insane.” I glared at the spikes, wondering what to do with them. I had magic, so maybe I could counteract it, but despite my natural talent, I wasn’t adept at controlling my powers.

  “Let me,” Charmingface said. He focused on the spikes as he grabbed them. They disintegrated after he wrapped his fingers around them.

  “How long is this going to continue?”

  “Until you win the fae over.”

  “I defeated Nemreth, didn’t I?”

  “That’s not what winning hearts and minds is about. It’s not about simple duels.”

  Charmingface strode over to the bed across mine—Kaji’s. He brushed his magic across Kaji’s sheets, inspecting them for another trap. He found nothing, and so he sat down.

  The door was still open. Charmingface gestured for it to close. It snapped shut at the click of his fingers.

  I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he up to?

  “I have a secret to tell you.” Charmingface leaned forward, as if eager to conspire. “One that is openly known, but conveniently forgotten.”

  I shifted away from him.

  His voice dropped into a whisper. “The fae would rather not admit it, seeing as they’d let me climb their ranks.” He slowed his breathing. “I am half dragon-kind.”

  “What?”

  “It’s true. Don’t look so surprised. There are many dragon-kind and dragon fae in this world. Surely, both species are bound to have mixed.”

  “But… but the fae hate dragon-kind. You shouldn’t be sitting where you are now. Principal of Rakarthen.”

  “It’s strange how things turn out in the end, doesn’t it? Many of us lurk amongst the dragon fae. My mother was a traveler. She liked to explore Thesnan, and eventually, even Thesnan grew too small for her. She went to Constanria, and there, she fell in love with a dragon-kind. A drerkyn. My father died in a tragic accident, one my mother refused to talk about. And so, after her heartache, she moved back to Thesnan to rejoin her family, wanting to settle down and avoid the drama. Little did she know, she was pregnant.”

  “With you.”

  “Yes.” Charmingface chuckled. “She raised me as a fae. I grew up thinking I was a fae. And oddly, my dragon-kind heritage allowed me better control of my fae powers. The gods’ powers work in the most interesting of ways. I surpassed my peers and climbed the ranks of the fae quickly. And here I am.”

  “You said they know about you being dragon-kind.”

  “Oh, they do. When I grew older, my mother told me of my heritage. I hated dragon-kind, just like the fae. And, distraught about my identity, I confided in my best friend. I was already a high-ranking staff member by then, about to take the mantle of principal from the last. The fae had much faith in me. They liked me. I do have a rather handsome grin, after all.” Charmingface flashed his white teeth at me. His expression fell and he shook his head. He glanced out the window at the setting sun. “Don’t trust anyone. Not even your best friend. He told the other fae about my dragon-kind blood. The secret was spread. Rumors travel faster than the wings of dragon fae.”

  “You shouldn’t be here.”

  “Hmmm. I shouldn’t. Why do you think I am, princess? Why do you think I’m still standing here when the fae should have cast me out long ago?”

  He’d thrown me off with the question. I didn’t know how to answer. I could only see one outcome from what he’d told me and my experience with the fae. He should have been exiled. The fae ought to have shunned him. “You proved yourself to them.”

  “Exactly.” He straightened. “Before my past was revealed, I’d been a fae for eighty years. I’d made friends, allies, acquaintances. I grew to be useful in Thesnan. Many viewed me as their leader and someone to be looked up to. I’d won battles for them. My subordinates came to me for guidance. The rumors spread, but I had a good reputation amongst my peers. They didn’t want to believe that I was dragon-kind, and so the fae conveniently forgot that rumor, preferring to see me as General Erutan. As Charmingface.”

  Silence fell as Charmingface allowed his story to sink in. I tried to gauge his intentions, but the principal wore his mask well. “And,” I said softly, “how does this relate to me?”

  Charmingface stood. “You must be wondering why I’m telling you all this.”

  “You made it clear to me. Don’t trust anyone.”

  “It’s a rule of life. You never know who is in a disguise, especially with magic all around. Sometimes, I don’t even trust myself.” He sighed. “What if I’m not who I think I am? There’s always that nagging sensation.”

  “Get to the point.”

  “I’m curious,” Charmingface said. “That’s all. I see my other half in you. The dragon-kind side. Despite my father being one, I’ve never gotten the chance to meet that part of me. Makes me want to help you out a bit. After all, if you’re successful, I’ll get to see both halves of my past unite. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

  I kept silent, not sure what to think.

  “I’m just saying, Lyra. Stop fighting. It’s going to get you nowhere.”

  “Then what do you suppose I do? The fae keep trying to humiliate and hurt and kill me. I can’t take this lying down.” Being princess had given me some measure of pride.

  He was half out the door as he uttered his last words of advice: “Befriend them. After you’re done, to get your revenge, stab them in the back.” Charmingface went grim. “Do you know what happened to that friend of mine?”

  “The one who outed you?”

  “Well, I don’t think I should tell you. My inability to keep my mouth shut gave me much trouble when I was younger.”

  “You killed him?”

  “You can believe whatever you want to.” He clicked the door shut, leaving me in my new lodgings.

  My thoughts came alive after he left, racing and swirling.

  Thirteen

  One month later

  Kaji reached into my sack of jerky and plucked out one of Mayhem’s treats for himself. He singed
the meat and tore into it, chewing loudly and staining the sides of his mouth, as usual.

  Mayhem looked over my shoulder as we walked to the next class. The ingoria growled at Kaji to make his displeasure known.

  “What?” Kaji said, shooting a glance at my pet. “I’m starving.”

  “You’ve been complaining about that ever since you healed.”

  “Yeah, and? Have you ever summoned an army of fire dragons before? That kind of magic requires energy. I haven’t fully replenished my stores since.”

  Kaji flicked his thumb over his bottom lip after he finished, missing a stain, before reaching for another piece of food. Mayhem snapped his jaws, some of his spittle getting on my skin. I scowled at my ingoria. I knew my pet wouldn’t hurt Kaji; he just got pissy at times. I thought his growling was cute. Everybody else begged to differ. They just didn’t understand the special connection Mayhem and I shared.

  “They don’t give us enough food,” Kaji continued, munching away. “And have you seen those insects the fae harvest their meat from? They’re tiny compared to our livestock. There are hounds and horses and so many woodland creatures to taste.” Kaji sniffed. “I don’t understand why we have to eat those tiny insects.”

  “They’re not that small.”

  “Compared to a baelbeast?”

  In my past month here, I’d learned that fae didn’t like eating woodland creatures. They saw them as peers and companions. That was one reason why they hated dragon-kind so much—we ate the creatures they viewed as friends.

  I checked the piece of paper Charmingface had given me, just to make sure we’d walked to the right location. I’d figured out most of the academy by now, and the pixie lake served as a landmark for easier navigating.

  Cendri awaited me right outside the training grounds. He wore his hair high today, in a ponytail. Unlike the other students, he dressed in green and blue, the colors of his family. They made him stand out like the grade-A bully he was.

  I sighed. “What have I ever done to you, Cendri? Why do you look at me as if I stole all your golden eggs?”

  “The Bellquaines don’t like you here.”

  “You’ve made that plenty clear. And before you ask me to go home again, I’m going to suggest that you not waste your breath. Save it and let me join the lesson, please.” I’d been trying to blend in after what Charmingface had told me. I was never late for class and tried to be as helpful as I could. The other day, I’d even tried offering some of my classmates help with their dragon-kind history homework. They rejected my aid, of course, saying that I’d only warp the fae’s understanding of the Drae Lands. It was worth a shot.

  “Why are you this stubborn?”

  “And why do you hate me so much?” I almost flashed my fangs at Cendri, but I kept my cool. The fae hadn’t left me alone since the incident at the pixie pits. Their taunts tested my patience a great deal.

  My room had been broken into countless times. I’d had to remove spikes from both Kaji’s and my bed. One day, someone threw skatte entrails all around my walls and sheets, and Kaji and I spent a whole night cleaning the room. When I caught one of perpetrators and interrogated the troll, he told me that Cendri made him do it.

  “There are good reasons,” Cendri replied.

  “Care to share?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, then are you going to let me in? I’m going to be late for class.” The next class was taught by Cendri’s sibling, Alyxe Bellquaine. By eavesdropping on the other students, I’d heard plenty of rumors about her. They spoke of her being a returning ghost, thought to have died twenty-five years ago. She was, apparently, the queen of the fae by name, but her duties were un-queenly. She liked teaching physical combat in Rakarthen.

  Cendri stared me down. Tension simmered between us, and I had half a mind to spit at his face. From watching his interactions amongst the fae, Cendri loved to swing his dick around. It probably wasn’t even that large. As part of the triad, he got his way all the time.

  I supposed I could relate. Back home, all the servants tended to my every need. I, however, didn’t enjoy countless sexual escapades. Cendri often found himself with different dragon fae women in his arms. There were a few lingering around the corner even as he blocked my way. I wondered what Nemreth thought about that, considering they were a couple and all.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t attend class,” Cendri said.

  I’d grown tired of his taunting. Charmingface preached patience, but that was never my thing. I was doing pretty well considering all the horseshit the fae threw at me. I smacked my hand against Cendri’s chest and forced my way past him, needing to get through the gates of the training grounds.

  Cendri grabbed a fistful of my hair and slammed me against the pillar.

  Kaji threw flames at Cendri. Bright red wings flared from his back. Cendri built a shield around me and him, blocking Kaji and Mayhem from rescuing me.

  “That fucking hurt,” I said.

  “I wasn’t trying to be gentle, princess.” Cendri fastened a chokehold around my neck, pressing lightly. He acted like that only to intimidate me. He didn’t add enough pressure to suffocate me. “I’m trying to make a point. Don’t cross me. Don’t push me. Nobody ignores me the way you’ve tried to.”

  “You’re frustrated, aren’t you?” I asked.

  I knew people like Cendri. I knew him because he was like me. He wanted to get his way. He wanted to win.

  And because we were like mirror images, I didn’t back down easily.

  I kicked Cendri’s groin, pushing him backward. A growl rumbled from his chest. I threw a fist at him.

  I swung and missed. Cendri sidestepped me. He grabbed my wrists from behind and twisted my arm. I muttered a curse.

  He kicked my knee.

  Craaaack.

  My kneecap shattered.

  Vaguely, I heard Kaji screaming my name, but Cendri’s shield muffled his voice.

  “What in Aereala’s teats!” I shouted.

  “Know your place.” Cendri folded his arms behind his back, expanding his barrier toward the training ground, then sauntered away. “I hate it when people go against me.” In a gratingly confident fashion, Cendri left me aching on the ground.

  Luckily, dragon-kind could heal quickly. I sensed my bones snapping into place, in time for the next lesson.

  “You all right, Ly?” Kaji asked, helping me up. When I tried standing properly, a sharp sting ran up my leg. Mayhem whimpered, as if hurting from hearing me get hurt. He licked my side, leaving a trail of icky saliva. I tried not to grimace too much. The ingoria was merely trying to show concern, after all.

  I massaged my aching joint. “If Cendri Bellquaine dies through some unfortunate, sudden accident, I wouldn’t have a care in the world.”

  “Me neither.”

  What I hated most was that when watching Cendri stride away, I saw a little bit of my old arrogance in his posture. “Was I really like this in the past?”

  “You?” Kaji snorted. “You were a pain the ass, especially when you were younger. Throwing your weight about like you owned the place. You didn’t go around breaking legs for the heck of it, however.”

  “He knew I’d recover soon enough.”

  “That doesn’t excuse him from his bad behavior. Torture is torture, plain and simple. A geckari grows its tail back after you chop it off. I don’t go around chopping off geckari tails for the fun of it.”

  He had a point there. Kaji had convinced me that I was completely justified in hating Cendri.

  If only there were a way to make him taste his own medicine.

  I gritted my teeth. Patience, I told myself. An opportunity would show itself in time.

  Fourteen

  Alyxe Bellquaine was one of the more ordinary-looking dragon fae. She had her brown hair simply braided down her shoulder. She always had a companion with her. I was told it was a dryad named Elfaryelle, but I never had the opportunity to talk to the tiny, woman-shaped tree. Elfaryelle would often watch on
the sidelines as the dragon fae practiced their footwork during physical combat lessons.

  Her skin color made her stand out, however. She looked a little bit… dead? Was that the right word? She was pale. Too pale. The way she carried herself was filled with life despite that. And there was always a firehound that accompanied her, somewhat like how Mayhem lingered by my side.

  “Mhm,” Alyxe said, throwing her braid over her shoulder. “You’re later than my brother, even, princess. I don’t appreciate latecomers.” Judging from my previous experience, Cendri always showed up late. I spotted Aland and Nemreth standing close to the front, their weapons already in their hands.

  “In case you haven’t noticed,” I replied, “I’m walking with a limp.”

  Alyxe gave me a curious look as she glanced at my knee. “And how did that happen?”

  I shot a dirty look at Cendri. “Ask him.”

  Cendri returned a one-shoulder shrug. “I believe the princess is quite clumsy at times and is now pointing fingers.” I noticed he avoided the question with his vagueness. Ugh. Fae and their twisted truths.

  I felt my cheeks warm. “P-pointing fingers?” I imagined myself poking a finger right up his nostril in a forceful manner. That would hurt a ton. Maybe almost as much as he’d hurt me. But I didn’t have the authority to do that. Acting in such a rash manner would merely get me more punishment, especially since I had no backing from the other students.

  Alyxe squinted at my limp. As I reached the center of the training grounds, nearing the rest of the students, my injury got better, and I walked with a straighter gait.

  Alyxe tapped her foot on the ground. “Before I start with today’s lesson, I’d like to inform you about the Flower Trials. They’re beginning soon, and only the best will be allowed to join Rakarth’s selected. If you have the confidence, do yourself a favor and drop your name into the Selection Well. We look forward to watching you participate. Only the best walk out of the trials as Rakarthen’s best, and it’s the best way to gain respect amongst the dragon fae.”