Page 11 of Faerie Gift

I hadn’t realized what my life was missing until I met Melia. Until she took me under her wing as my school-appointed upperclassman mentor and quickly catapulted into bestie territory.

“Does this have something to do with your Christmas break?” she asked me, searching my face as if for clues. “I know we didn’t keep in touch a lot but I figured you couldn’t get into too much trouble for three weeks. I mean, you stayed here, with the staff watching over you and all. Please tell me you at least had alittlefun.”

I shrugged. “I was here because I didn’t have anywhere to go, so I dug out an old miniature Christmas tree and made do. I wouldn’t exactly call itfun, and no, my sky-high anxiety has nothing to do with break.”

Melia rolled her eyes. “You should have come home with me, you know. You could have tried some of my mother’s famous gooseberry tarts. She makes them every year. You wouldlovethem.”

We had chosen seats in the center at the rear of the hall to give us a panoramic view of the proceedings. Other students occupied the remaining seats, all dressed in the school’s uniform: navy blue blazer, white button-up, and black skirt or pants.

Melia never asked why I wanted to sit near the doors with my back to the wall, and I never supplied the information, but it always made me feel better to keep an eye on the room and an escape route in sight.

“Don’t tease me with gooseberry tarts,” I told her as I settled down into the plush velvet seat. “You’re going to make my mouth water. Pastries would be considered a treat at this point.”

“Oh, your meals haven’t improved?” She knew the drill.

“No way. Chef has taken it upon himself to give me the most disgusting meals he possibly can. I mean, they aren’t gross as in ingredients, but he doesn’t go out of his way to make sure what he prepares is fresh, either.”

Melia considered the statement, biting her lower lip. “Do you think he pulls the same stunt with Nurse Julie andhermeals?”

“Probably not. Maybe she’s found a better way to bribe him. I’ll have to ask her about it. Besides, I figure no one would try to cross Julie because she’d totally kick their ass.”

Melia smiled. “True.” She smoothed her blazer with the Academy logo on the front. I noticed she was wearing a bright white button-down blouse with the placket and cuffs accented with ruffles, and black trouser pants. “Another semester, another assembly, another hour of my life wasted listening to Leaves blather on,” Melia said under her breath, flashing me a wide grin and tugging at her cuffs.

“No kidding,” I replied.

Soon she wouldn’t need to sit through any more of these things because she’d be out of here.Her last semester, I thought with a start, immediately wanting to burst into tears. Melia was more than likely going to Faerie at the end of the year, and then I wouldn’t be able to see her for several more years until I made it to graduation.

Assuming the Academy kept me enrolled. There were always more hoops to jump through. Always another worry to stress over, a point system to beat, people waiting to stab you in the back—

“This semester, there might be some surprises in store,” I told her.

She tilted her head to look at me quizzically. Instantly on edge. “Yeah? What have you heard?”

“It’s not what I heard. It’s what Isaw. Last night. Some new arrivals.”

Although I kept my hands knotted on my lap, I did my best not to overly fidget. But anxiety and anticipation had me wound up. I wondered what Leaves would say about the bus from last night, because surely this assembly would cover our mystery guests.

Just after he’d finished speaking to Headmaster Cote—whoever he was—Leaves had shooed the rest of us lowly first-year students back inside and sealed the door behind us with a well-placed spell. No matter how Nora tried to bang on the wood or tug the handles, it didn’t budge, cutting us off from whatever excitement was going on outside.

We’d all walked back to the dorms whispering among ourselves about what we’d seen. I had almost forgotten my missing shoe and had to run back to grab it.

“Hey, ladies.” Mike plopped down on my other side with a wink, his golden hair slicked to the side to reveal those delicate ears. I wanted to nibble on them.

Down,girl.

“Thanks for saving me a seat. I’m a little late.”

“Of course.” Melia said it like it was obvious we would have saved him a seat and he should know better. At least she’d gotten used to being around him without her initial awkwardness. Or should I say her initial fan-girl enthusiasm for the Crown Prince of Faerie.

“I don’t want to start classes,” he groaned. “It’s too soon. Melia, did you tell them we need another week to acclimate to being back here? Maybe someone will listen to you.”

She leaned forward and dropped her head into her hands, massaging her temples. “Seeing as I only got back a little bit ago, no, I haven’t had a chance to plead for a respite. But I totally agree with you. It’s too soon. I could have stayed at home for another few weeks and been perfectly fine.”

“Hey, be happy. You won’t have to worry about schoolwork for much longer.” Mike spoke like he offered her a look on the bright side.

My happy expression soured.

“I guess so,” Melia said. “Once I make it through my last round of exams I will be out of this place. Stop looking sad.” The scold was for me. “You know you’ll be joining me shortly.”

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