by J. M. Kearl
Short of breath, he nodded. “Yes, go. And don’t let anyone see you leaving the boys’ dorms.”
A blush warmed my cheeks. The rumors of me in Zyacus’s room would be horrid. Yet he was throwing me out after what I told him? After I trusted him with my secret. “You’re an asshole.” I shoved him on my way by and turned before he could close the door. “And if you tell a soul about my gift you’ll regret it.”
Taking my arm, he pulled me back into the room and slammed the door.
I jerked away from him. “Don’t touch me.”
He huffed. “I’m not trying to be an asshole, Visteal, I’m doing us both a favor. It doesn’t matter how I feel. You and I both know there can’t—shouldn’t be anything between us. For a lot of reasons. Being alone in my room was a mistake.”
I froze, blinking several times. I heard everything he said but one word stuck out more than anything. “You said my name.”
A small smile pulled at his lips. “Visteal,” he said again.
I hated that I loved the way it sounded on his lips. And I wanted him to say it again.
“I guess I lost the little game of ours, didn’t I?”
“I always knew you would.”
He laughed and this time, gently pulled the door open. “We can continue with a plan just—” those stunning eyes of his scanned his room, “not here. And I will never betray your secret. Never.”
To be sure no one saw us leaving the dorms, Zyacus took my hand whispered “appearus” and spelled us outside my grandparents’ offices. Zyacus wanted to have them set a meeting with both our parents to take on the vampire problem.
We quietly walked beside one another and then I knocked on the door. I couldn’t help the smile on my face despite the situation at hand. Zyacus said my name and sort of admitted he had feelings for me all at once.
Months ago, I couldn’t have foreseen this. I’d despised him yet we’d almost kissed twice now. It would be so much easier for us to go back to ignoring each other. And if Aric didn’t need our help we probably would. He was right, we couldn’t ever be anything more. Our parents wouldn’t agree to it. If things went bad between us, it wouldn’t bode well for our kingdoms but… what if it didn’t end? What if we explored… No no no no.
“Your smile is beautiful,” Zyacus said quietly, “you should do it more often.”
The door swung open and Madison stood on the other side. Her steely lavender eyes swept over Zyacus then me. “Yes?”
“Can we talk?” I asked.
She stepped aside and the prince and I walked in. The door clicked and she sat in her armchair and waved toward the couch. “Sit.” Fingers drumming on her armchair she waited for one of us to speak.
Sitting tall and with confidence, Zyacus gave her a quick nod. “Professor Magnevera, Visteal told me what happened and I think my parents should be informed of the threat.”
“They have been informed. As has King Faustus. It’s not a concern for students at this time.” Zyacus opened his mouth and she held up her hand, “Aside from you two and Prince Aric of course. There will be a meeting with the three kingdom’s rulers soon, when they can all gather. In the meantime, extra enchantments have been placed, guards have been added to patrol, and the professors are aware of what lurks outside our walls. We are safe. So unless you have additional information, you don’t need to worry.”
One look from Zyacus said he wanted me to tell what I saw with Aric. I felt it was time Madison knew as well. When I gave her the details, her expression didn’t give anything away. Zyacus brought up the bargain Aric’s mother made before he was born and with one curt nod Madison was on her feet.
“Perhaps it’s time Aric goes home,” Madison said. “For his own safety. There may not be anything we can do, he may die anyway. I believe the same as Zyacus does. His mother unknowingly but willingly traded his life before he even took his first breath.”
“Madison, you know that my visions aren’t wrong.”
“I’ve told you before, Visteal that the future is never set. You just haven’t figured out how to make use of your gift yet, but one day you will.” She sat down at her desk and pulled a piece of paper from the drawer. “Aric will leave this academy today. You two will not be in Collweya or anywhere near him so this vision of yours won’t happen, and perhaps he will live a little longer. No attack will happen here because I’m sending for extra guards. We will be safe.”
“I feel good about this decision,” Zyacus said, twirling his thumbs.
I was torn, but I hoped that Madison was right. As we made our way to the exit, Madison said, “I’d tell you to say your goodbyes but it’s probably best if you stay away from him considering the both of you were there in the vision. It was reckless for you to wait this long to tell me. It’s been weeks. Do you understand the consequences if Aric, a prince, would have died here? It could have started a war.” She paused with her quill hovering above the paper. “I know you want to prove yourself, Visteal and do things on your own but a wise leader knows when to ask for help and when to delegate tasks. Remember that.”
I nodded and looked down at the floor but muttered. “How will he get home?”
“I’m bringing your mother here immediately to open a portal.”
With that, we took our leave. Standing in the hushed hallway the both of us hesitated to part ways. He pushed a hand through his hair and then stuffed them both in his pockets. “Want to spar? I need practice for the next tournament and you have one coming up too.”
With all the drama, I’d nearly forgotten about his victory as well as the fact that he’d been in the tournament for seventh years in the first place. “How did you even get the chance to fight?”
He tipped his head toward Madison’s office door. “Your grandmother has a soft spot for sexy princes with my skills.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “Madison doesn’t have a soft spot for anyone except maybe my Papa.” I started down the hall and he fell into step beside me. “And I’d rather kick your butt in Advanced Swords so everyone can see it but I suppose we can spar together now.”
“Professor Magnevera hasn’t allowed you and me to face each other in class yet. I think she’s waiting for the fifth year tournaments to start.”
“It would seem so.”
Chapter 24
The indoor sparring room had a few others practicing but was relatively quiet. Most students liked to sit around and socialize on days off from classes. Legacy and Aric were probably tangled up in each other’s arms kissing somewhere and my heart hurt for them. They barely made up from the last mistaken breakup and within the hour, he would leave and I didn’t know when they’d ever see each other again.
Zyacus and I stepped into a sparring ring and a burst of butterflies suddenly battled in my stomach. I hadn’t been nervous for a sparring match in a long time. It wasn’t about winning or losing either, it was the way he watched me, his eyes roaming over me from head to toe. He drew his sword, and I mine.
“Magic? Or weapons only?” I asked.
“Weapons only.”
A step to the left and he mirrored me and soon it was like we were back at my birthday event dancing. I swung first and our swords clashed, ringing loudly. The force of it reverberated down my arms. Pulling my weapon back and hopping to the right, I swung again and again until the sound of pinging fell into a melody. Metal grated metal as we pushed against each other. Sweat beaded on my brow and I dropped and rolled to avoid him overpowering me then was up on my feet on the offense. He blocked everything I threw at him. Several minutes of this bout had both of us breathing heavily.
“I may have met my match,” Zyacus breathed as we circled each other, both needing a break. “But let’s make it interesting. A wager?”
I let out a short laugh. “Trying to steal kisses again or perhaps another lake dip?”
“If I was after your kisses, I wouldn’t have to steal them,” he purred.
“Is that so?”
His lips curled. “When I win, you’ll b
e my date to the winter formal. I liked seeing you in that tight dress.”
There was mischief in his eyes; he was trying to get a rise out of me. Trying to get me to let my emotions get in the way so he could take advantage. I knew his tactics by now. We continued walking in a circle and I ignored the comment about the dress. “If you win, but what about if I best you in this match?”
“That depends. What do you want?”
What did I want? If I was being honest with myself I wanted to go to the dance with him, but I was unsure about the message it would send. One minute he was telling me there couldn’t be anything between us and the next he was inviting me to be his public date. I couldn’t get my mind around his motives. “I want you to tell me why you want to take me.”
He swung his sword in a circle. “If you win, I’ll tell.”
With that, the match continued. Cling, clang, whoosh, both of us spun around and our swords ended up at each other’s necks. A tie. “So does this mean we both get our wager or neither?” I asked.
He lowered his sword and I followed. “We didn’t set rules for a tie. Personally I’d like it if we both get what we wanted.” A serpentine grin accompanied.
“I’m fairly certain your girlfriend will lose her mind if you and I went together. Not to mention both of our kingdoms.”
“It’s a dance,” he said flatly. “And she’s not my girl but that doesn’t mean she won’t lose her cool.”
I’d actually look forward to that so I could punch her for always glaring. “Besides wanting to see me in a dress,” I rolled my eyes, “why?”
Zyacus sheathed his weapon and stepped closer to me. “I think loverboy with the silver hair and fangs might ask you if I don’t and we can’t have that.”
That wasn’t the answer I expected. I’d rather hoped he’d have a confession of sorts. A hollow pit of disappointment cracked open inside me. “Oh,” I mumbled lamely.
He shrugged. “If you don’t want to, it’s fine. I know I’m hideous and you might not want to be seen with me.”
Second eye roll of the day. “Yes, you’re just disgusting.” Getting more annoyed the more I thought about his reasoning, I twirled a strand of hair around my fingers, contemplating. It was jealousy or simply him wanting to keep me from Kyan as if I couldn’t turn him down on my own. As if I needed him to protect me. “I don’t need a sham date from you. If I go with a date to winter formal, it will be with someone who actually wants to take me.”
I turned and stalked toward the exit.
His footsteps trailed behind me. “It’s not—Visteal, wait.”
Shoving through the door, I quickly made sure it clicked shut. He didn’t attempt to open it.
∞∞∞
I plopped down in the single chair in my room still upset about Zyacus, when my door crashed open. Legacy ran in and collapsed on her bed in tears, my heart broke for her.
Tearing up myself, I put a hand on her back and laid my cheek against her. “I’m sorry Aric had to go.”
Red-faced, tears glistening, she turned to me. “You already knew?”
“If he stayed—he would die.”
“I know. Madison said she had a premonition so he had to go home where he’d be safe.” Sobbing, she pressed her face into her pillow.
I wondered if I should tell her it was me that saw the premonition. But I thought better of it. Mine meant his death was likely certain. “You’ll see him again,” I said quietly. Even if I wasn’t sure, it felt like the right thing to say.
“I hope so.” She turned and pulled me into a hug. “What if he dies?” she whispered. “I can’t... it was so hard to say goodbye wondering if it would be the last time I ever saw him.”
“If he stays in Collweya, I think he’ll be fine. Maybe during the month-long break you can go see him.” Maybe for once things wouldn’t happen as I saw. If he wasn’t here then he couldn’t be with Zyacus and me. Maybe with Madison’s help I finally found a way to change things.
She turned away and grabbed her pillow, crushing it into her chest. “We are going to write to each other every day. He promised.”
“That’s good,” I said. “I’m glad.” But I worried that his letters might stop one day and we’d both know why.
Chapter 25
The next morning while eating breakfast, my eyes kept drifting to Zyacus on their own accord. He’d asked me to the dance but only because he didn’t want me to go with Kyan. To protect me. Ugh, that made me so much angrier than I thought it would. I wanted him to want to take me, not act like I was some damsel in distress. I stewed about it all night long. But how could I get another date? According to Zyacus all the boys were afraid of me. Lovely. I turned to Taz. “Do any boys here actually want to talk to me? Outside of classes, I mean. Just because I’m a Princess doesn’t mean they can’t approach me.”
Taz picked up a piece of an apple and laughed. “You and I are only friends because you made a point to be my friend. I was scared to death of you when we became desk partners first year. You’re our princess. Royalty. Above the rest of us. Have a scary father.”
“Alright.” I held up a hand. “I get it.” No wonder I never get asked on a date. The dances are only for fifth years and older so this would be my first formal.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well,” I started. “The winter formal is coming up.”
Legacy leaned over. “If you don’t get asked Lora and I plan on going together. We can be a trio. Taz is taking Freya.”
Freya sat beside him and smiled. “He already asked and I said yes, of course.” She nudged his arm with her elbow and went back to eating.
“Warlord Goldheart’s son Connor talks about you often. I even overheard him mention he wishes he could ask you to the dance,” Taz said, peeking down the table at him. “I bet he would if you gave him even the slightest bit of attention. Since he’s a warlord’s son he’ll probably be more confident.”
The golden-brown haired boy sat at the far end of the table. He was the Seventh Year Tournament Champion that I told Zyacus to bet on. We’d only ever spoken a couple times at formal meetings. I had no idea that he even was attracted to me. If anything, the few times we’d met, he avoided eye contact with me and only gave short answers in response to my questions. I’d assumed he thought I was too young or something.
Looking across the room at Zyacus talking with his not-girlfriend solidified it. I’d give Connor some attention and hopefully get asked, and prove to Zyacus that I didn’t need his sham date.
I found Kyan’s silver head across the room. After he manipulated my memories, and the fact that he was a vampire, pretty much ruled him out as being my date even though he’d be perfect for pissing Zyacus off. I just couldn’t trust him at this point. I trusted that he wasn’t Finnick’s killer but that was it. With my vision with Aric, seeing Finnick die, fighting the vampires outside the academy, it scared me knowing what Kyan was—what he was capable of. Even if he wanted to be good, could he turn on me with blood lust?
When a chime sounded, ending breakfast, I made my way over to Connor. I waited behind him while he stood up from the table and stretched with his arms overhead. I cleared my throat and one of his friends tapped his arm and then nodded toward me.
Connor turned and stared at me, blinking several times. “Princess,” he blurted.
“Hi, Connor,” I said and smiled, heat flaring in my cheeks. “You did great in the tournament. I told the guy next to me to bet on you. It paid off.”
Running a hand through his short hair, he grinned. “Thank you, your highness. I’m glad you noticed my talents.”
“I’d seen you fight back in Delhoon.” I shrugged and was at a loss on what else to say. “Anyway, good luck in the next one.” I turned and started toward the exit. Oh my unicorn, get it together.
“Princess Visteal, wait,” he said, catching up to me. “We could spar together sometime. I mean, not that you need the practice or aren’t good enough already.” His face turned red. “Er,
I’m sure you’re great. M-more than great.”
I had to hold back a chuckle. “That would be nice. Practicing with a tournament champion would make me better.”
He grinned. “Let’s talk more. After classes.”
“Sure,” I said and we parted ways.
When I walked into first class Zyacus was already sitting at the table. I took a deep breath and made my way over. As I sat down and scooted my chair in, he glanced at me and then faced forward. Seriously. After everything?
“Hi,” he said curtly.
What’s his problem? “Is something wrong?” I asked. After I told him about my curse and the vision about Aric, I expected something different. Even if I’d gotten angry and left after our sparring match.
“Nope.”
I rolled my eyes. Something is definitely wrong. “Nope? Convincing.”
He turned and looked at me. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he said and faced forward once again.
I was burning with curiosity but I kept it to myself. Was he mad at me? Did I do something wrong? Something else happening in his life? While Professor Tessam lectured I kept letting my gaze drift over to him. I hoped he didn’t notice.
When class was nearly at an end, a pixie brought in a single white rose with a note attached, and dropped it in front of me. The pink-haired little thing with white wings burped and flew off in a zig-zag. She ran into the door, swore several times making the entire class giggle and then she was out. The pixie must have already gotten into the wine from whoever bribed her. I pulled the folded paper open and read:
Princess Visteal,
Would you give me the honor of being my date to the winter formal?
Connor
I chuckled. Well that was faster than I thought. I expected to at least talk to him once more before getting an invitation. I set the note on my book.
“Who’s that from?” Zyacus asked, trying to sound bored but his face said otherwise.
I took the stem between my fingers. “Someone who wants to take me to the winter formal. Don’t worry, it’s not Kyan.”
