Page 50 of The Princess's Pet

“Eh don’t sweat it, Percy. We won’t let you keep the prissy Princess waiting,” Dylan answered his hand patting my shoulder.

I glared at him for his comment about the Princess, but I didn’t respond. He had made it clear he didn’t like her, and I didn’t want to get into another shouting match with him about it.

As we made it to the head of the line, I tried to follow into the chair next to Ana only to have Harris skilfully twist past me and take my seat.

“Hey!” I called as he pulled the bar down and the chair began to move away.

“Sorry, Percy.” He laughed and Ana looked bashfully pleased. I laughed along turning to Dylan. “Looks like we’re sharing.”

“Na, I’m not a heights person,” he said turning like he was about to leave. I grabbed hold of his arm.

“I’m not getting on this thing with a stranger,” I told him seriously and I was a little scared to be on my own up so high. He turned back to me with a grin he couldn’t hide.

“Well, if you want to sit next to me that bad…” he trailed off. I huffed and turned from him.

“I’ll sit with a stranger,” I replied getting in the chair. He only laughed and got in the chair after me sitting down heavily causing the chair to sway as he pulled the bar down to us.

“Is this thing safe?” I asked as we began to move slowly higher.

“Perfectly. There was only that one accident, a few years ago,” he replied looking at me from the corner of his eyes. “We just shouldn’t swing the chair is all,” he continued before purposefully rocking his body and making the chair swing back and forth dangerously. I screamed clutching the bar in my lap with white knuckles.

“Stop it!” I cried. He replied with uproarious laughter as the Ferris Wheel came to a stop while we were close to the highest point.

“I’m sorry,” he said wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. His arm came down around my shoulder. “I’ve got you, girl. I won’t let you fall,” he promised.

“You’re a jerk Dylan,” I told him as my heart calmed against my chest and I opened my eyes.

We were up very high, and the school buildings looked magnificent in front of the setting sun. The lanterns had been lit and it was a show of yellows and oranges.

“Over there is the main building where we have our classes,” Dylan told me pointing. “And over there in the distance, that’s the royal residence halls, where you stay,” he said twisting to point. “Over there are the stables, bet you didn’t know the Academy also has equestrian lessons for the nobles and Royals,” he said a bit excitably. “Past that grove, you can just see the peak now. That’s another school building, mostly the sciences theyteach there, have a morgue and everything for the anatomy freaks,” he continued.

“A morgue?” I asked confused.

“Yeah, for dissections,” he said and was obviously trying to weird me out. “Dead bodies for chopping up.”

“Okay,” I answered pretending to be disinterested. We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes enjoying the view.

“If you’re so against the current system, why are you here?” I asked him my wandering thoughts spilling out. He seemed so enthusiastic when pointing out the buildings and genuinely happy to be a student at Sanguis Academy. Still, he claimed to hate the system and it confused me.

“Have to be. It’s law that all those that live within the legally recognised houses, of at least half-blood, attend servant training. And I want to be here. I want to know what they’re teaching people. I want to be a thorn under their nail, reminding the other non-purebloods that we aren’t less than. Can’t get your message to the people you want to reach if you hide away behind safe walls,” he told me.

“So, you’re here to cause trouble?” I asked. He smiled wide in response.

“Trouble has a way of finding me. But no, I’m here to make friends. Friends Percy, are the most significant thing you’ll gain from Sanguis Academy.” And he was serious for a moment the playful glint leaving his yellow eyes.

“And you need friends?” I asked curious as to what he meant.

“We all need friends. And when shit hits and things get messy, a good friend will help clean up with you,” he answered but I was still confused as to why he was at Sanguis Academy to make friends. “We’re friends, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, I guess, I sort of like your annoying ways,” I told him honestly when he looked at me with hope.

“I like you too Percy. I feel like we’re the same. Viridis and Auster have always got along, we have no choice but to be best buddies,” he joked pulling me closer and the chair began to ascend higher before it made its descent back to earth.

He turned to me and there was something in his eyes, in the way he smiled at me. A charged beat passed between us, and he leaned forward. I almost didn’t turn away from him, but I did.

“Sorry Percy, I misinterpreted the moment,” he mumbled and pulled his head back.

“I like you Dylan, but things are complicated,” I told him.

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