Page 9 of A Witch and Her Dragon
I meet her eyes—pale blue, like mine—and smile. I’m not going to let Grandfather’s knight ruin this experience for me.
“Excited. Nervous.” I lift a hand to touch the thin silver necklace hanging around my throat. Mother gave it to me as a going-away gift. It’s imbued with her magic, and when I wrap my hand around the little songbird pendant, I can hear the burbling of the fountain in the solarium back in the castle and the chirping of the birds who frequent the garden in the warm months.
She gifted me a piece of home. And I’m going to carry it with me everywhere I go.
“I’m so grateful your grandfather allowed you this,” Mother says as she opens her fan and begins fanning her face. Her brown cheeks and forehead gleam with light perspiration from the heat in the carriage despite the windows being open to allow the summer breeze to twirl through.
I’m suddenly thinking of Raelan again, of his dark eyes and cold stare. He’s threaded through every thought I have of Coven Crest. When I imagine myself walking through the hallowed halls, I picture him trailing along behind me. When I wonder what it’ll be like meeting my roommates and living away from home, I remember he’ll be standing right outside the door.
I sigh and say, “If only he’d allow me to attendwithouta chaperone.”
Mother’s eyes flick to mine, her lips pinching. “You’re fortunate you’re even being given this opportunity, Alina. You’re the first member of the royal family to ever be allowed to attend.” Something like sadness drifts through herexpression. “And of course your grandfather is sending you with a knight; your safety is of utmost importance.”
My stomach pinches, and I drop my gaze. “I’m sorry, Mother.” I reach out a hand and place it upon her knee, my skin brushing the soft material of her gown. “I’m incredibly grateful. I don’t mean to sound otherwise.”
My mother wanted dearly to attend the academy when she was my age, but she was not allowed—her duties as the princess came first. How spoiled I must sound to be complaining about having a knight to watch over me.
I lean back against the cushion and clench my fists in my lap. Beside me, Yuki nuzzles his head against my arm.
“We’re about to go through the ward,” Mother says, her voice lifting with excitement.
I look out the window, and as the carriage is swallowed up by the Mistwood, a slight shimmering veil falls over us. It’s a touch cool, but not uncomfortably so, and it tastes sweet. It tastes like magic.
A thrill goes through me. After all these months of waiting and preparing and wondering what my roommates will be like, I’m almost there, almost at the academy.
Across from me, my mother sits up straighter, her blue eyes sparkling with her own anticipation.
And I tell myself that I’ll not forget what a wonderful opportunity this is. I’ll be grateful for my place at Coven Crest every day.
Even if Raelan Ashvale is there with me.
Chapter 6
Raelan
AFTER PASSING THROUGH THE MISTWOOD, we emerge in the sunlight on the other side of the forest. And standing tall against the blue sky is Coven Crest Academy.
The stone walls of the castle tower well over our heads, and purple flags embroidered with the academy’s moon-phase crest billow atop the highest towers.
We pass through the barbican, experiencing a brief respite from the August heat, then ride into the courtyard on the other side. It’s dotted with outbuildings and gardens, and I even spot an archery range. Carriages are cluttered about the space, with people unloading trunks and bags and hugging and crying.
But as we draw nearer, much of their attention turns to us.
I tense beneath my armor. Wherever the royal family goes, stares follow. I just hopethat in short time, Alina will become a common-enough sight amongst the other students that they’ll treat her as one of their own.
That would make my job alittlebit easier.
Dragon aside.
I could feel her gaze on me as I rode alongside the carriage, and even now, I have the urge to turn and look for her. But I resist that urge. I have a feeling I’ll be doing a lot of that now that I’m here.
Some of the carriages move to make way, and our procession rides up and stops right in front of the main castle. I don’t dismount; rather, I scan the crowd, watching carefully for any signs of trouble. But mostly I see curiosity and awe, and my highly sensitive hearing picks up on the whispers of the gathered onlookers as the footman opens the door and offers his gloved hand to help Alina down.
They’re whispering about the princess, wanting to get a look at her, wondering what classes she’ll have and whether they’ll have similar schedules. For now, it’s all innocent enough. I take a breath, trying to relax my tight muscles.
Alina glides gracefully from the carriage, her long lilac gown whispering as it settles in the grass about her feet. A white fox jumps out behind her—her spirit companion, I know. Her pale blue hair is pulled back, revealing her light brown cheeks and startling blue eyes.
And when those eyes meet mine, my dragon responds with such sudden aggression that it makes me flinch and squeeze the reins. My mare tosses her head, upset with me for my mixed signals, and Alina arches a brow right before I tear my gaze away and reach down to pat Penelope’s strong neck.
