Curse of Blood and Shadow: Allied Kingdoms Academy 1

by J. M. Kearl

“Visteal, that is your bubble,” she pointed to the one on the left. “Zyacus, the other is yours. The goal is to pop your opponent’s bubble and protect your own. But the catch is you’ll have your hands tied behind your back. You cannot use magic.” She tossed a sword in the center. “One sword. The bubble won’t break without it. Understand?”

  “Yes,” we both said. Get your hands untied and grab that sword then bust the opponent’s bubble.

  We stood on opposite sides with our wrists bound by rope. He watched me with a serpent smile clearly enjoying this.

  “Kick his ass,” Lora shouted and laughter echoed.

  “Begin!” Madison shouted and neither of us moved our feet but I worked vigorously to slip my hands out of the ropes. I guess this was good practice if we were ever captured and bound like this.

  The class started yelling directions and cheered us on. I eyed him then decided to run for the sword first. Even if my hands were still tied. Bringing my hands down, I back stepped through my arms to bring them in front of me and then dashed for the sword. Zyacus had done the exact same thing but I grabbed it first. That meant nothing, he kicked it out of my hand and it flew high into the air. It landed blade down sticking in the grass.

  I stuck my leg out and tripped him when he went for it; he crashed onto his knees. I laughed, this was actually fun and easing the tension between us, at least for me but I still wanted to best him.

  Sprinting for the sword that landed at the edge of the circle, his shoulder collided into my side and somehow we both went down. I shoved up and his bound hands went over my head and around my torso, locking us together. Being so close to him did strange things to my body. A wild nervous-excited flutter filled my belly. He pulled me closer and whispered, “Sorry Princess but I can’t let you win this time.”

  I wanted to throw my head back and give him a bloody nose but his chin rested on my shoulder. He probably knew I might do that and stayed out of range. Before I even knew what happened, he’d tied his rope around my wrists and was free. When he broke away, I tried to chase him down but he took hold of the sword and threw it, spearing my bubble.

  Madison clapped and I gritted my teeth. He’d certainly gloat about this in the future.

  After that, everyone in the class did the same drill so Zyacus and I stood off to the side since we’d already gone. “I hope you’re not still angry with me,” Zyacus said.

  And here I was thinking he was angry with me about Legacy and Aric, like it was my fault they broke up. “About you winning?” I wasn’t that much of a sore loser.

  He stepped closer to me so our shoulders brushed. “No, about putting you on the spot about your gift. I’m sorry. I realized I’ve done nothing to gain your trust and doing that only made it worse.”

  I was a little caught off guard at his admission. “Apology accepted.”

  He smiled and ugh, I loved it, until he said, “But I’m still pissed at you for telling Legacy.”

  I folded my arms and didn’t give him the satisfaction of an argument.

  ∞∞∞

  A couple weeks flew by. Aric didn’t try to approach me again, although when I saw him it still made me sad because he looked depressed. Legacy wouldn’t even talk to me about him either. And thankfully Zyacus didn’t bring the situation up again.

  After my last class of the day, I laid down for a nap. I had a lot of plans this weekend. Tonight was a big tournament for seventh years. There had been a few smaller ones I hadn’t gone to but this tournament everyone would be at. Madison said the tournament for fifth years would start in a week and only those invited by her would compete. I was excited even if hardly anyone would come to watch us. The girls and I also planned a trip to the nearby town in the morning to get away.

  Legacy shook me awake. “It’s time to go to the tournament.”

  I rubbed my eyes. After freshening up, we made our way to the arena and up the stands. I spotted an opening next to a Collweyan boy. “Excuse me, are you saving these spots?”

  The silver-haired boy smiled. “No. You’re welcome to stay.”

  Something about him was familiar but I didn’t remember meeting him. His silver-blond hair was shaved on the sides but long and braided down the center of his head. His light skin was a shocking contrast to his onyx eyes and black lashes. His full lips were a warm color, probably the only thing warm on him, and attractive despite his unusual appearance. I read once that the sun only shines a few hours a day some times of the year in Collweya, and even when it does, it doesn’t warm the landscape. Perpetual cold. I didn’t understand why anyone would want to live there.

  “I’m Kyan,” he said and looked at me a little longer, probably wondering if he’d seen me before.

  “Hello, ladies,” said his friend, a copper-headed boy with a broad chest and huge muscular arms. I didn’t know what they were feeding these Colleyan boys, but they looked so much more mature than most seventeen-year-olds. “The name is Brax.”

  Legacy stuck out her hand. “I’m Legacy.”

  They shook hands and I hoped he wouldn’t—and he did. His hand hovered in front of me waiting to be grasped by my own. I counted to three and he still looked at me expectantly, patiently. I grasped his palm firmly and smiled. “Visteal, nice to meet you.” Nothing happened and I breathed a sigh of relief.

  Kyan pushed his hands into his pockets watching me carefully. I couldn’t figure out why he seemed so interested. It made me slightly uncomfortable. “So who will be victorious today?”

  “It’s difficult to say,” he said, still watching me.

  I was almost sure we’d met at this point but I could not remember where. “Do I know you?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t believe you do. Of course, I know who you are, your highness.”

  Maybe he was simply in awe of meeting a royal. He wouldn’t be the first. “Do you have a list of the contenders?” I asked.

  He passed it over to me. There were new fighters this time and at the end of next month the champions would face off. There were a lot of names I didn’t know. The only one I recognize was Asher Fillips Breddor and he was good but so were most Delhoon fighters.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him looking at me. I pursed my lips feeling uncomfortable. After a moment I turned to him. “What year are you? Will you be fighting soon?”

  “I’m a sixth year.” His eyes went to the arena floor. “And yes, next year I’ll be down there. Will they let you fight when the time comes?”

  “Of course,” I said with a small smile. “Queens and Princesses in Delhoon do not sit by and let the men do all the fighting.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “It’s not that I would think you’re incapable but it seems like an unnecessary risk for a royal.”

  “It’s not to the death, unless it’s a Wargon troll,” I said with a shrug. “One day I’ll need to prove myself worthy to rule Delhoon.”

  “Ah, yes. I wouldn’t be surprised if your former queen Kyria rules Collweya one day,” he said, and then smiled. “I’m sorry I keep looking at you; you’re just so—beautiful.”

  My cheeks felt a little warmer at his admission. “Thank you.” At least now I knew why his eyes drifted my way.

  The fights began and the cheers reverberated off the walls each time someone won or did something outstanding. Names were chanted, a few brawls broke out in the stands and overall the air was electric. When there was a short break, Legacy and I went to grab a snack. We got lucky and the line only had two people in it.

  “What are you getting?” Legacy asked.

  My mouth watered at the phoenix shaped chocolate bars hovering above the counter. Oh and the unicorn cookies with rainbow frosting looked divine. “I’m thinking those unicorn cookies are a must.”

  “Good call,” Legacy said and ordered four. “Our new friends would be disappointed if they didn’t get one too.”

  The girl behind the counter carefully wrapped the cookies and stacked them in a small box. “Happiness awaits,” she said, handing
it over. “The unicorn cookies are a special mix tonight. Enchanted with joy.”

  “That’s amazing,” Legacy said, giving her a smile. Then she mumbled to me, “Something the both of us could use after the past couple weeks we’ve had.”

  The crowd suddenly went wild, so we ran up the steps to our row. I squeezed by a couple students and stood beside Kyan. “What did we miss?” I asked, taking the cookie Legacy handed me.

  “They’ve both lost their weapons, magic looks depleted or they’re saving it, and they’re grappling on the ground.” Legacy passed him a cookie, “Well, that’s kind of you. Thanks.”

  I bit into my cookie and the sweetness of it burst on my tongue, it sure tasted like joy. The golden helmet of the Hesstian boy fell off and I started when I saw shaggy near-black hair and a beautiful face I had all but memorized. I snatched the roster from Kyan and my eyes slid over the list, and there at the bottom as was Zyacus Axel Hawkins, and I would swear on my life it wasn’t there the first time I looked. “How—”

  Legacy grabbed my arm and shook me. “Is that Prince Zyacus?”

  We both winced as his fists collided with the bloodied face of the Delhoon boy on the bottom, Asher, if I wasn’t mistaken. Zyacus rained blows over and over until my Papa dove in and separated them, calling an end to the bout. The Hesstian students jumped up and down, shaking the stands beneath our feet, and blue and gold fireworks shot up from the crowd. “Zyacus! Zyacus! Zyacus!” They roared.

  My mouth was still hanging open when I crushed the paper in my hand. “How the hell did he get into the tournament? He is a Fifth Year.”

  Kyan said, “I don’t know but he’s savage.”

  With a flip of his foot, Zyacus’s sword leaped into his hand and he raised it over his head. The gleam of the silver blade glinted in the magic light and applause exploded; their prince won for them. Then he did something unexpected—he held out a hand and helped his defeated opponent stand.

  The entire next fight I was on edge, waiting to see who Zyacus would face for the final round. A Collweyan boy and Delhoon girl battled it out hard but in the end the girl won.

  By this round, both of them had to be tired but they met in the center and a contest of the crowd began chanting the names “Zyacus” and “Ava”. Legacy and I shouted her name and since Kyan had to choose a side, he joined us; however, I couldn’t help but silently root for the prince. Watching him fight made my insides tingle, made me find him even more attractive than I did before, as much as I didn’t want it to.

  Madison waved a hand for them to begin and then disappeared. The first move was from Ava and she threw a blast of energy, a red orb that exploded into Zyacus’s shield. The hit knocked him back fifteen feet and he crashed into the side of the arena wall.

  Get up. Get up. Get up!

  Too slowly he struggled to rise; she closed the distance between them, bringing her sword down on him. He blocked it, and they pushed against each other.

  Come on, Zyacus, come on!

  One hard shove and she stumbled back and he attacked. They clashed swords over and over and then he stomped his foot, vines grew out of the dirt and tangled around her legs.

  He stole that from me!

  Wildly swinging, she chopped at the thick vines but they grew faster than she could cut. Magic you fool! I couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t obliterating those vines to dust. Maybe the first magic blast depleted her power after already fighting in other matches.

  With a few swings of his sword, he knocked her weapon out of her hand and with a blade point at her throat, it was over.

  Glittering fireworks showered down and Zyacus’s name appeared above him in blue smoke.

  As if he wasn’t arrogant enough.

  Chapter 19

  As the students cleared out of the stands and we waited in a line to ascend the steps to the upper level, Kyan and his friend started talking about an after-party. Legacy nudged my arm, “Ask him,” she whispered. “I want to go.”

  I knew it was getting late since the tournament often went past our usual curfew. I shook my head. I also wasn’t about inviting myself to things. If he wanted us to go he’d ask. When we got up to the main level, I spotted Zyacus and Aric along with a gaggle of girls and his friends, Mateo, Skinny, and Unibrow.

  “It’s been fun, Kyan,” I said. “Perhaps we’ll see you at the next tournament.” The unicorn cookie really did have me feeling happy, joyous, not caring that he hadn’t invited us or that Zyacus was glaring at me or possibly glaring at who I was with. I even smiled at the prince, beaming, and that dirty look of his faded.

  “You’re coming to the party, aren’t you?” Kyan touched my arm lightly. I tried not to flinch, but was happy no images of death appeared.

  I peeked over at Legacy who was nodding. “Sure, where is it?”

  Upon her agreement, my father’s words popped into my head “follow the rules.” Disregarding curfew wasn’t following the rules but Legacy and I hadn’t stepped out of line once since we started here. One little party couldn’t hurt, could it?

  “It’s outside, way in the back so the professors don’t see our bonfire and ruin our fun.”

  ∞∞∞

  It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t nervous as we snuck out a side door and into the dark of night. I knew what could be lurking in the shadows; the red eyes of my vision appeared in my imagination among the trees. The cool dampness in the air gave me a chill and I rubbed my arms. The crickets and night bugs hummed and chirped, bringing me a slight sense of calm. Last time I’d been out here and thought something might be hunting me, there was absolute silence except for when that low growl of a beast rumbled.

  “How many people go to this party?” I asked.

  Kyan shrugged and ran a hand over his silvery-blond hair. “Last time there were about twenty-five of us, but I bet word will have spread and more will come tonight.”

  I peeked over at Legacy who was in conversation with Brax, although her eyes searched the shadows as much as mine.

  “If you’re worried there’s something scary out here in the dark, don’t. There’s nothing scarier than me.” And the way Kyan smiled made a shiver run down my spine.

  “Why do you think I’m worried?” Even though my instincts told me I should be, I was still incredibly happy. Thanks unicorn cookie.

  His eyes skimmed along the trees then back to me. “You keep checking the woods like something might pop out.”

  “If you didn’t know, a boy died here not long ago. They say it’s safe but I’m always on my guard.”

  His jaw muscles tensed. “I did know. And I’ll protect you.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh, even if this was a serious conversation. “I don’t need anyone to protect me.” I tapped my sword, my sharp sword not the practice one, and brought fire to my other hand, “That’s what these are for.”

  “I’m sure you’re more than capable. I’m just saying, you’re not on your own out here.”

  We followed the russet dirt path to the edge of the property, shaded by trees and high foliage. Kyan pushed aside tall grass and then gestured, “Ladies first.”

  I heard voices and saw an orange glow before I stepped through. Legacy wrapped her hand around mine and we crunched over the grass. I counted seventeen people and more arrived through different parts of the woods. Kyan pulled a bottle of wine out of his much too small pocket. “Magic,” he winked. “Would you like some?”

  “No, but thank you. The unicorn cookie was all I needed tonight.”

  “Was it something special?”

  I told him what the lady who sold them to us said and he chuckled. “No wonder I can’t stop smiling. I thought it was just a side effect of being around you.”

  “Well, that too,” I added, and he laughed again.

  “You’re different than I thought you’d be,” he said, then took a slug of wine.

  “How so?”

  He licked his lips. “Most princesses are, how do I put his without offending you—�
��

  “Entitled, high and mighty, vain?”

  Laughing he said, “Exactly.”

  “I won’t lie, I might be a little vain.” I flipped my hair for emphasis.

  “See, royals I met could never joke about this. Princess Brizee in the North would probably stomp her foot and send me to the dragon’s cave where I’d likely be torn to shreds. She’d never socialize with us commoners at a lowly party such as this.”

  “Her loss.”

  After being there for a while, I expected to see some students I knew but didn’t. It was sixth and seventh year students, mostly from Collweya, and Legacy and I were apparently special guests. The few girls sneering from across the fire made sure I knew we weren’t supposed to be there.

  “If that red-headed wench glares at me one more time, she’s going to regret it,” Legacy said, sipping on her glass of white wine. “I’ll smash this over her head before I beat her face into the dirt.”

  “Calm down there, killer,” I said, and took hold of her arm. I spun her around so her back was to those girls. “There. Now you can’t see her.”

  “Liola is a bully,” Kyan said, nodding toward the group of three. “I’ve known her since I was a child. She used to try to beat me up, sometimes she did.”

  I shrugged, not caring about her at all. Normally I’d be simmering with rage but I felt great, more than great. Until this Liola decided to march my way. Here we go.

  “So the Fifth Years think they’re welcome to party with us now?”

  I sized her up. She and I were about the same height and weight, though she had thicker legs than me. Her red hair hung loosely down her chest and back and the gleam in her dark eyes was one of hatred.

  “I was invited,” I said nonchalantly. I found girls like her hated it even more when I stayed calm and acted as if they weren’t worth my time. “I didn’t ask nor do I need your permission to be here. And you should address me as your highness.”

  Legacy stepped closer to me, a subtle protective gesture. She’d protect me with her life, not only because I was her princess, but her family too.