Page 14 of A Witch and Her Dragon
“Thank you for the warning,” he says. “Guess that means it’s time to go.” Raelan looks over at me, but as soon as his eyes meet mine, the smile he was giving to Nella vanishes.
What’s his problem?
Poppy immediately scurries past him and Nella and into the hallway, mumbling a quick “excuse me” as she passes. Maeve pushes off the desk and walks from the room languidly. I stand just as Lyra steps in front of me. She sweeps her arm through mine, then leads me from the classroom.
“Thanks, Nella,” she says as we pass by. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“Oh, sure.” Nella’s gaze lands on me. She quickly bows her head. “Your Highness.”
My eyes flash to Raelan. Would she have known who I am if not for him?
Some people know what I look like, have seen me over the years, either at festivals and parades or just enjoying the shops and goods Wysteria has to offer. But Raelan isobviouslynot a student here—all it takes is one glance to know he’s not a first-year wandering the maze-like halls. And as long as he’s with me, everyone willknow who I am.
The princess. The outsider.
For the second time today, I’m just glad he agreed to forego his armor for the foreseeable future.
After we’ve all exited the classroom, Nella steps into the doorway behind us.
“If students aren’t allowed in classrooms yet, what are you doing here?” Lyra asks, her tone bordering on accusatory.
Nella shrugs. “I’m Professor Stone’s student assistant.” Her gaze flicks down the hall. “He’s coming this way now.”
Sure enough, voices drift down the corridor, and a few faculty members pause in the parallel hall, talking and laughing amongst themselves.
“Thank you, Nella,” I say.
Her smile is quick. “Of course, Your Highness.”
“Just Alina,” I tell her. “Alina is fine.”
I get the feeling I’m going to be saying that alotin the coming days.
But here, in these halls, I just want to be me, not Grandfather’s granddaughter, not the woman who may one day sit on Elarwyn’s throne.
Just Alina. Just a witch trying to master her magic. Just a student, like everyone else.
Except for my bodyguard, who’s now ushering me and my roommates down the hall and gesturing for Yuki to keep up.
“Bye, Sir Ashvale,” Nella calls out from behind us. “S-see you around!”
I glance over my shoulder just quickly enough to see the smile he gives her. Then we’re ducking around the facultymembers and starting back down the wide hallway, as if we didn’t just break into our elemental studies classroom.
Once we’re out of earshot of the professors and Nella, Lyra skips over to Raelan and bumps him playfully. He arches a dark brow at her, stride not faltering.
Immediately, something in my stomach squeezes.
“Thanks for rescuing us, sir knight,” she says, fluttering her eyelashes dramatically. “You’re our hero.”
Raelan doesn’t respond. But his eyes find mine again.
And I don’t quite understand the fire they light inside me.
Chapter 8
Raelan
DURING MY MEETING WITH THE headmistress the day after Alina moved into the north tower, I was told I’m to stand outside the room while class is in session. I pushed back, arguing that I’m to be near the princess at all times, but Headmistress Moonhart refused, stating I’d be too much of a distraction. She even said she’d take it up with His Majesty herself if she needed to, reminding me that Coven Crest isherdomain and we’re to followherrules.
