Page 6 of A Witch and Her Dragon
I grip my cake fork tightly, my eyes cutting to the guard standing near the door to Grandfather’s study. He has dark hair cut close to his head and intense dark eyes set off by light bronze skin. His jaw is sharp and clean-shaven, cheekbones pronounced. I’ve seen him around the castle many times, but I can’t recall ever having exchanged more than a few words with him. And I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him smile.
“And how do you feel about this?” I ask. “Did you become a knight just so you could babysit a princess?”
I hope for him to react, to at least showsomeindication of being as annoyed by this as I am, but I’m disappointed.
All he does is stand slightly straighter, his eyes focused somewhere above my head. “It would be an honor to accompany Her Highness to the academy.”
Pretty words in front of the king. I wonder what he’d say if I got him alone.
With a huff, I turn back around in my chair and stare at Grandfather, who’s now perusing the cake options on the tea tray. He chooses a maple-cinnamon cake topped with thick buttercream frosting. That’s one of Yuki’s favorites. I’ll snag him a slice before I leave.
In my hand, my fork goes icy, and I look down to see fractals spreading across the metal, creeping across the handle like ice forming on a lake in early winter.
Thisis why I need so badly to attend the academy. I feel so much magic inside me, wanting to come out, but I don’t yet know how to control it, and the witches of Shadowfall Court are much too busy with their own coven duties to train me in the way I need.
Coven Crest Academy is my best option. It’s where I need to be.
I just never imagined myself walking the grounds and halls with a shadow. Especially one so quiet and cold as Sir Raelan Ashvale.
Peeling my fingers from the frozen fork—and wincing in the process—I let out a sigh. Grandfather meets my eyes.
“All right,” I say, leaning back in the armchair and letting out a resigned breath. “I don’t like it, but I’ll do it.”
Grandfather smiles. “Wonderful.”
Chapter 4
Raelan
I HEAD HOME AT THE first opportunity. These days, it’s not often I have much time off from my duties at the castle. But it’s a beautiful spring day, warm enough for me to wear only a lightweight long-sleeved tunic, and it’s the perfect opportunity to visit my family.
And to tell them of my new assignment.
I opt to walk into town rather than riding—I could use the movement and the fresh breeze. It’s calming to me, helps chase some of the heat from my skin, and I need that.
Ever since being trapped in the king’s study with Princess Alina, I’ve found myself—and my dragon—more restless than usual. At night, I see her face, imagine what it might feel like to push my hands through her long blue hair. Once, I dreamt of undressing her one layer at a time, then claiming her as my own.
When I woke, I was covered in sweat, and my dragon was raging at the chain around my neck, fighting to get free,to get to her. I was so bothered that I had to go practice my swordsmanship in the moonlit courtyard until the sun rose.
So, I’ll walk. And I’ll feel the cool air on my face. And I’llnotthink of Alina.
At least, I’ll make an effort not to.
It’s a short walk, and the cobblestone streets keep my boots from getting muddy. Everyone I pass smiles or lifts a hand in greeting.
After a long cold winter, it seems we’re all grateful for the sun on our faces and the heat upon our backs.
When I arrive in Wysteria, I find the town bustling. Shopkeepers sweep their shopfronts, children chase hoops down the streets, and there’s the sweet scent of baked goods in the air. I follow my nose to a little café called the Wandering Cup and open the door for a woman on her way out. She passes me with a grateful smile, and then I step into the building. Inside, the air smells of coffee and cocoa, with a slight hint of cinnamon sugar.
My mother loves this café, and I’m selfishly hoping that bringing her one of her favorite chocolate-strawberry croissants will soften the news I’m about to deliver.
The woman behind the counter takes my order with a smile, and I wait patiently as she begins gathering up the baked goods, enjoying the sunlight streaming through the big front window.
It’s hard to believe I’ll be headed to Coven Crest with Alina in a few short months. Classes at the academy start in late August, but because she’s a first-year, she’ll be expected early, to move into her dormitory and get settled on campusbefore the older students return. We’ll be there until her winter break, at which time we’ll return to Wysteria for Yuletide celebrations.
If I survive that long.
I reach up and touch the chain around my neck; it’s warm to the touch, as it always is when I think of the princess.
