by R. C. Reigh
We were too close to the professor’s office to use my magic. I couldn’t risk being detected, so I would need to follow him for a bit before I could subdue him.
I held my breath as he passed my hiding spot in the shadows of the recessed doorway and, as suspected, my presence went entirely unnoticed.
After a few moments, I quietly stepped out of the alcove and fell into stride several feet behind him. He didn’t give even the slightest hint that he was aware I was there. I followed him down the hallway for a bit, and he made his way around the corner. We were just about far enough away for me to make my move.
I stopped for a moment, carefully surveying my surroundings to make sure no one else had seen us. The corridor was empty. I grinned as my colorful magic began to snake its way down my fingers, ready to strike. He’d never know what hit him. As I turned the corner to make my next move, I stopped dead in my tracks.
A third of the way down the hallway, casually leaning against the wall like he had nothing better to do, was the little dragon prince.
He smirked when he saw me and my fists balled, snuffing out the incantation at my fingertips. I glanced toward the Alstare boy, who had nearly passed the dragon prince, but his attention was still focused on his book.
“Hey.” Roarke lifted his hand toward him in a lazy wave. The boy looked up from his schoolwork in response to the prince's friendly greeting.
“Hey,” the Alstare boy replied as he glanced around the corridor, finally taking in his surroundings. The two exchanged head nods before the human’s gaze followed the dragonlings back toward me. He nodded to me as well before he continued on down the hallway.
Anger boiled through me as the dragonling and I watched the Alstare boy slip farther and farther from my clutches.
Once my target was nearly to the end of the hallway, Roarke turned his smug expression back to me.
“Why does it always seem like you are up to something?” He lifted a brow as he shoved off the wall and started closing the distance between us.
I clenched my jaw. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought he had been expecting me.
“Maybe you should concern yourself with your own business and keep your nose out of where it doesn’t belong.” I plastered on my most saccharine smile.
As he moved closer, the aroma of sandalwood permeated the air.
“Nah, I’m pretty sure I’m exactly where I needed to be,” he said with a lopsided grin.
How in the name of Hades did he get off being so cocky?
It was time to put him back in his place.
“Don’t you have better places to be, little dragonling? I mean, isn’t it getting close to your bed time and all?” I rested my hands on my hips.
“What’s with the ‘dragonling’?” he asked as he approached and stopped in front of me. “I’m not a baby.”
“Aw, such an angry little guy, aren’t you?” I feigned sympathy, cooing as if talking to a disgruntled toddler.
He cocked his head back and looked me over for a moment before he folded his arms across his chest in annoyance.
Good. I was getting to him.
“You do know we’re the same age, right? I missed the cut off for Secundus by four days.” His thick dark brows tugged together.
“If you say so.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder and checked my nails. “Don’t get yourself all bent out of shape over it.”
“Yeah, well, you insulted me,” he replied, easing his scowl as if he were expecting me to apologize.
Hah!
“Yes, well, that was the point.” I blinked at him, and his dark brow furrowed at me again. “What are you doing here anyway, dragon?”
“Someone’s got to keep an eye out for your trickery.”
His reply sent me ever so slightly off-kilter.
So he had been waiting for me after all. How did he know?
I’d have to work that out later and put extra precautions in place. For now, I needed to get the little dragon prince to move on and get off of my case.
“You’re out of your league messing with me.” I let my magic flare, an action that instilled fear and panic, causing others to flee before me, but Roarke didn’t even flinch. He just stood there looking at me like I was being overly dramatic.
What was with this kid?
After a few moments of sizing one another up, he cleared his throat.
“Well, this has been fun and all, but it looks like your mark got away, so I’m going to go.” He unfolded his arms and shook his head. “But you were definitely right. When it comes to you, Kessara, you are in a league entirely of your own.”
Hallelujah, he was finally getting the big picture!
“And I can’t even begin to imagine how lonely it must be up there at the top all by yourself,” he added before he side-stepped me.
I could feel the furrow of my brow in response to his comment as he brushed past me and turned the corner.
It wasn’t until I was completely alone in that hallway that I realized that maybe he hadn’t been referring to just my skill and power.
His words might mean something else entirely.
Amelia
“As you all have likely heard, there was another attempted goblin raid in Laramidia last night,” Professor Braintree droned on, once again. “Now, I assure you that the capitol guards took care of it without a single injury to one of our own, but it is a reminder that we can never be too prepared for the unexpected. Therefore, as an end to today’s lesson, we will review the stun and run tactic, which is the best way to deal with a goblin, should you be attacked.”
In my peripheral, I could see immediate disapproval spread over Cora's face. Her hand flew to her paper, and within seconds she had begun scribbling a note with her quill. She passed it to me, and I opened it.
Good gods, what is this stun and run nonsense?!! The BEST way to deal with a goblin is to run it through with your sword.
I faced forward, feigning attention to the lesson and making sure the teacher wasn’t watching. After I was certain he wasn’t paying any attention, I gave Cora a slight nod, but she had already begun scribbling again.
Or an axe. . .
Of course, a mace would come in handy if you had one. . .
She tapped the feather end against her chin, then added,
Even a pitchfork would do in a pinch.
And for once, it was my turn to roll my eyes at her.
Since she had been training with the prince, she'd become overly zealous about sharing her combat knowledge. I was quite sure she was killing it in her tactics class, pun intended, but it was starting to be a bit much.
I get it, thanks.
I scribbled on my paper and handed it back to her, all while pretending to be interested in the Professors demonstration.
Of course, you could always just use magic.
She added thoughtfully.
That was Cora for you. Unfortunately, what she didn’t realize was that for those of us that weren’t warriors, it wasn’t that simple. If needed, she'd run straight into the fray without so much as an ounce of hesitation, full of courage and prepared to valiantly sacrifice herself to protect our people, and I. . . I wished I could be more like her. Not so much with the maiming and killing part, which was far beyond my comfort zone, but the bravery.
When the bell rang, we gathered our things and made our way out into the hall.
“Have you made a decision about going to the fall formal?” Cora asked as we rounded one of the hallways.
I knew what she wanted me to say, but I was having a hard time committing to a firm answer.
“No. I haven’t decided,” I sighed.
“Well, I am sure there are a lot of people going solo. I mean, we aren’t that far into the school year, so people are still getting to know one another. I really think you should go.” A hint of excitement laced her voice.
Of course Cora would be excited about it. Her skill in practice had gained the attention of the eldest dragon prince.
He had extended an invitation to her to accompany him, and she had accepted. Who wouldn’t have? It meant that if I went, I would be going alone. It wasn’t an ideal situation for me, but I was happy for her.
“I know you don’t want to hear it, but I’m certain if you--” Cora began.
I already knew who she was going to mention next, and she was right. I didn’t want to hear it.
“No, thank you, Cora,” I cut her off.
She closed her mouth, and we kept walking. She hadn’t come right out and said it, but she had been hinting that I should get to know the prince better for the last few days. Somehow, he had managed to convince her to see his side. Part of me had expected that he would invite me to the fall formal, but I guess he had already known I would decline, and we all knew that no one else would dare ask me since I was his betrothed.
Dane and I hadn’t spoken since he walked with me to the library last week, which had proved one of my theories correct. It was the thrill of the chase. It’s why they tell you not to run from predatory animals. To stay calm and back away slowly. It’s ingrained in their instincts to give chase. I had triggered that reflex with Dane. What I had done was the equivalent of poking him with a big stick before fleeing the scene, and naturally, he persued. Now that I was cornered and subdued, he'd backed off, entirely uninterested.
I wish I had realized it sooner and avoided it. I would have saved myself a whole lot of heartache.
We weaved our way through the other students headed to their respective classes. Cora kept giving me the side-eye until the crowds began to thin, and she unexpectedly stopped and turned to me.
“OK. So, hear me out.,” she sighed. Her frustration was palpable. “I know you are supposed to hate him and all, but I really think you should at least try to give Dane a chance. If there’s nothing there, then there’s nothing there.”
“Cora--” I began, but she held her hand up.
“I think the two of you started this whole thing off on the wrong foot. How can you know for sure if you don’t give him a chance to show you who he is? After you get past all the grumbly and grumpy, he really isn’t that bad.” My cousin’s tone was soft.
I looked down at the floor. I hated when Cora began to sound like my mother.
The warning bell rang.
“I’d better hurry if I am going to get to my class.” She looked at me square in the eye, and her no-nonsense demeanor had returned. “Whatever you decide to do, you need to stop brooding over a boy you were never really in love with. The princess of Avonlee is expected to be seen and to lead by example, right? I know I said this before, but it’s hard to do that if you are hiding in our room. Boys aside, right now you need to consider the visual aspect. Dane may understand and give you space, but you need to remember just how important the wolves are to our kingdom. Soon the others are going to start recognizing you’re giving their entire kingdom the cold shoulder, and that could be difficult to overcome.” She patted me on the shoulder before she turned and walked away.
In her absence, I couldn’t help but notice the massive mural I was left to face as the echo of her boots disappeared down the nearly empty hall. I wasn’t sure if she had meant to stop in the Carpathian corridor or in that specific spot or if it had been pure fate, but staring at the scene painted before me, the visual of just how important the wolves were to us couldn’t be clearer.
I knew this painting. In Avonlee we had a smaller one just like it. The truth it portrayed always sent pangs of sadness and humility into the depths of my heart. It was a story I knew well. Well, at least the human half of the story. It depicted a battle scene of wolves and Avoleeans fighting goblins during the Siege of Shadows. The main focal point was a large wolf, front and center, leaping through the air toward a goblin's head. The goblin was poised to strike down a golden-haired human with its rickety sword.
A goblin, who, if that wolf's timing had been any less true, would have surely killed my father.
DANE
As I neared the library, the massive wooden doors began to open. I recognized her immediately. Long golden hair, voluptuous curves, and don’t get me started on that intoxicating scent that was all Amelia. She was backing out of the door, and her sweet voice was chiming a farewell to someone still inside.
At the same time, a tall Fae boy was headed toward the door, carrying a few books under his arm. His eyes were focused downward at some papers in his hand. I could see a collision about to happen.
“Amelia!” I called out, and both she and the other student looked up. Fortunately, they saw each other in time to avoid any injury. However, their abrupt halts had caused them to drop their belongings. Books and papers scattered out into the hallway.
I rushed to help her. The Fae gathered his books and papers before he hurriedly rushed into the library, uttering hushed apologies. Amelia knelt to shove her own books back into her satchel.
“Are you ok?” I asked as I handed her the volumes I’d gathered.
“Yes, thank you.” Her reply was cordial, and a flush of embarrassment stained her cheeks.
“So, this is where you’re always hiding?” I asked, lifting my brow to the library doors.
“I like to read,” she said, quietly fumbling with a few of the smaller belongings she had gathered in her lap.
“It’s good for the soul,” I replied. She stopped for a moment and gave me a curious look. “I just mean that not everyone is intended to be warriors. Not that warriors can’t read. I read.” Shut up and pull it together, Dane. Why was I so nervous? I cleared my throat. “I just mean that it’s calming, and scholars are just as valuable. Maybe even more so.”
“That is a surprising sentiment coming from someone like you,” Amelia replied with a curious glance at me.
“There is an old philosopher's quote, ‘Intelligence gives us the rationality to resolve our differences without war, rendering useless the talents of warriors.’”
“That’s a nice idea.” Amelia smiled, and my heart thumped a bit faster. I had been the one to put that there. I had been waiting for what seemed like forever to make her smile back at me.
I let out a long breath as she tucked the last of her books back in her satchel, followed by the smaller items she had collected. I was so mesmerized that I had nearly forgotten to breathe.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be out of a job anytime soon. At least not while vampires, goblins, and all manner of menacing creatures run free,” I said as I extended my hand to her.
“You’d prefer peace to war?” Her expression was a bit skeptical, but just as much curious, when she placed her hand in mine and rose to her feet.
“Believe me, princess, I don’t desire eternal war, even if there is a thrill in the victory of battle. As future king, I’d much rather my soldiers sleep soundly in the arms of their wives and watch their children grow to adulthood. My father told me that once, and I agree with him wholeheartedly. I’m lucky to have such fine kings as your father and mine to guide me someday,” I explained.
She smiled and glanced away for a moment as she smoothed down the rumpled fabric of her emerald green dress.
“It’s hard to believe such a beautiful thought came from the same man who chose to destroy our lives with a marriage arrangement,” she replied, a light chuckle leaving her perfect lips.
She had said it offhandedly, but the reply still stung all the same. I could feel the smile fall from my face. Here I thought we were making progress.
“I’m sorry, princess, but I can’t agree with you there. You are the only one that feels that way.”
With nothing else left to say, I bowed my head respectively before I turned and walked away.
Amelia
A cool fall breeze twirled up the orange and gold fallen leaves from the balcony. The murmur of the crowds attending the tournament could be heard even from our tower, which was one of the furthest from the stadium.
It had been quite a busy week and yet for the last three days I hadn’t been able to get the con
versation with Dane out of my head. There had been a surprising depth to him I hadn’t expected and that look he had given me before we parted. . . Did he really believe a union between the two of us would be a good thing?
In hindsight, Dane really had been trying to be friendly. He and Cora had managed to begin a blossoming friendship. He had even promised to introduce her to Prince Fasian of Heinez. Dane believed the Fae prince might be able to teach her something about the ancient magic she sought after.
If he was betting making friends with Cora could help in softening me toward him, he wasn’t wrong. It did go a long way, but I wasn’t entirely convinced yet.
Maybe Cora was right. I guess I couldn’t rule out a friendship between us if I didn’t get to know him at all. He couldn’t be all that bad if Cora had been able to let him in. Then again, making friends seemed to be her special talent. What would it hurt if I gave it a try? It would certainly make my father happy to hear things were amicable between Dane and me. It would make life easier for Cora, as well.
I thought about Cora’s comments earlier that week. With a sigh, I turned and stepped back inside the common area we shared in our quarters. On the table near the door was a note Cora had left when she went out, containing instructions on how to find her if I changed my mind about the tournament. I picked it up and tucked it into my pocket. I knew she was right about me isolating myself. I just wasn’t sure I was ready to face Dane yet.
Seemingly incapable of making a decision, I meandered around the room and then moved to the steps. Soon I was stepping into the halls of the school. I wandered the quiet corridors for several minutes, lost in thought. When I finally came to a stop, I found myself in front of the mural in the Carpathian hallway again.
