Page 11 of Faerie Trials

Coral cocked her hip, head going in the opposite direction and her hazel eyes wide. “I did sayplease. I need afavor.”

In other words,keep up when I’m talking to you.

I knew the act. The bitch trying to cover up her real personality because she wanted something from me. At least Coral was completely one hundred percent in the open about how she felt about me. And that she wanted something.

She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m having a party this weekend for my birthday and I invited Michael Thornwood to attend. Things simply won’t be the same without him there.”

That was another thing. I hated how all the people in school called Mike by his full name: Michael Thornwood. The name didn’t fit his warm personality the way simpleMikedid.

“A party? I hadn’t heard,” I threw back at her, selecting one of the books I needed and putting it in my bag.

“Anyway,” Coral continued, her voice sweet and pleasant. All phony baloney. “Michael turned me down because he has plans withyou. If the prince doesn’t come to my party then I’ll obviously be the laughingstock of the academy. We can’t allow that to happen.”

I sighed and selected a second book to take home. Coral wanted me to cancel on Mike? “Aw, too bad. Aren’t you already the laughingstock?”

She continued as though I hadn’t spoken. “You need to let him off the hook for yourlittle plans.” Coral held her fingers up in air quotes. “He has more important things to do with more important people. I’m sure you understand.”

“Um, no. I don’t understand and I won’t cancel on him.” Absolutely not. I stood my ground. “But tell you what, Coral. I’ll bring him to your party. We’ll be there together, stop in for a little bit and make the rounds, then we’ll leave. It’s the best I can do and a real compromise, if you want my honest opinion.”

Coral looked as though I’d suggested she shave her head and donate her hair to needy children. “Excuse me?”

I slid my backpack over my shoulder, instantly weighed down from the books. “You heard me,” I told her. “I’ll bring Mike to the party but we’ll be there together and we won’t stay long. I would consider it a win if I were you. I don’t plan on changing my mind, no matter what kind of party you have in mind.” My plans were just as important as hers, birthday or no. I refused to let her bring me down.

I closed my locker and turned to face her, the two of us similar in height. She thought about it, she honestly did. I could practically see the gears turning in her head. Coral was considering her options for one reason alone: she wanted Mike for herself. She knew I wasn’t about to back down.

Apparently neither was she.

My expression hardened as I watched her sort through her mental dilemma.

At last she said, “Fine.” Short, simple, to the point. She flipped her hair and spoke as if it were her idea. “I’ll see him Saturday, then. My place at twenty bells. He knows where it is. Don’t be late. It’s rude.”

I rolled my eyes at her retreating back, pointedly ignoring the sway of her hips although every other person in the hallway was caught like a tractor beam. I was the only one able to look away. Coral was a piece of work, for sure, but I’d stood for what I wanted without compromise. At least I could be proud of something.

Hiking my book bag higher to distribute the weight without crushing my bones, I walked toward the exit. Time for me to meet with my new tutor, to try and get my grades up. Yippee.

Did I seem excited? No. If anything, I looked like I’d stepped in a pile of—well, something unpleasant to say the least.

The sun shone down on the snow and I shielded my eyes against the glare. It was only a short walk to the Fae Academy for Halflings sister school in Faerie, down a long curving stone staircase hugging the hillside. It was the school I’d thought I’d be attending when I crossed through the portal into Faerie for the first time.

Until King Tywin sprang his surprise on me. He claimed it was because I’d shown great promise at my old school. Really, deep down I think he wanted to punish me.

I took the winding lane down from the Elite Academy, no wider than a sidewalk in the mortal realm, although here there were no cars. The hills were blissfully free of any sort of traffic, vehicle or foot. The residents of town used a series of magic-powered trains or portals to get from here to there, not to mention using their natural magical abilities.

I needed the walk. I needed a moment to breathe and gather myself.

Buildings were constructed along the sloping valley walls and every road led down toward the village center and the castle beyond. An ancient forest surrounded us on all sides, with flatland and farms scattered throughout.

Shivering with a strange cold that felt more inside my body than out, I kicked the snow off of my boots the moment I pushed through the wide double doors of the school ten minutes later. Glancing around, I saw that the entrance foyer looked nearly identical to the one at the mortal academy. Until I turned to the right, where the staff offices used to be, and found myself in a classroom. Okay, not so similar.

“Are you lost? You look a little confused.”

I turned at the female voice.

“Do you need some help?” the girl continued.

Not used to the kindness, I blinked at her, struggling to catch up. “I’m looking for the school counselor’s office. I’m sorry, I don’t have a name. I was told to come here to meet my tutor.”

The girl walked closer, a smile on her face, and I was surprised to see that instead of white teeth she had little green nubs, like someone had taken pieces of clover and made them thick and solid. “It’s fine! I know exactly where you need to go. Come on, follow me. We’ll get you set up.”

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