Page 19 of Princess Takes Academy
My unicorn princess needed her freedom. She needed free rein to gallop and play and grow into that next step of queendom. Not for me, not for any Blood.
But for her own goddess’s plan for Xochitl Zaniyah.
No matter how much it hurt to think that she might hate me for leaving her.
Miserably, I nodded. “I’ll do it. For her.”
He squeezed my shoulder hard enough that I tightened my lips to hold back the grunt. “A true warrior Blood. I formally thank you, Keras Wata Zaniyah.”
Until that moment, I hadn’t realized how tense he’d been. His eyes swirled with dark smoke rather than the shiny mirrors I was used to. According to legend, his eyes were like the endless obsidian mirrors that shamans and priests used to speak to the gods or their ancestors. Sometimes a person couldn’t face what they saw in those mirrors. They went mad, losing themselves in the horror of what they’d seen.
Had he seen my future with Xochitl? Was that why he was so grim? Why he gripped my shoulder so hard? I was too shy to ask, but evidently, he did carry some all-seeing powers in his eyes.
“I won’t lie. I do see some dark years ahead for both of you. Nothing is certain in this life, but I know the strength of her heart and you’ve proven your honor and courage. Whatever Ra’s vizier did to her this day has inhibited her power, but I’m confident our queens will find a way to heal and restore her to her full strength when it’s time for Xochitl to claim her Blood once more.”
Her power… gone? Goddess. This time, I couldn’t hold back the sound of horrified guilt that escaped my lips.
“Again, it’s not your fault. Xochitl has always done as she pleases. In time, I’m sure that her power will bloom once more.”
I didn’t believe him. Itwasmy fault. If I’d only kissed her beneath the heart tree as she’d wanted. Or if I’d not reacted so badly to seeing my homeland again. If I’d not been so angry with her…
If I hadn’tabandonedher to face the vizier and the crocodile god alone.
Of course, this was my fault. I was her first and only Blood.
Was.
I’d lost that bond. That would be my punishment, and I deserved every moment of this agony, remembering what I’d once had.
“Where will I go?” I winced at the quiver in my voice. I hated to sound weak or afraid. Even if that was the truth.
I couldn’t go back to House Wata even if they’d welcome a king. I’d never return to a place that had exiled Mama. I had no other kin or house ties that might take in a foster. Could I even control my beast now without Xochitl’s help? I might truly be dangerous.
“We have prepared for the possibility that we might need to give you both time apart during these difficult years. There’s an incredible place for young warriors much like yourself in Scotland that’s famous for fostering the best possible Blood. I’ve seen how hard you’ve worked with Eztli. The Academy would continue that training, and they’d be lucky to have a student like you.”
Scotland? So far. So foreign and strange and…
Not Xochitl’s homeland.
“Can I see her before I leave?”
Tepeyollotl grimaced and shook his head. “I think it would be best to make this a clean separation if possible. The only positive outcome in this whole mess is that the vizier managed to burn out her Blood bond. So you won’t be tormented by her while you’re away.”
He was absolutely wrong in that regard, though I didn’t say anything. Every single day away from my unicorn princess would be the worst torment I’d ever known.
Please, let her forgive me. Someday.
10
Xochitl
Istared at my parents, unable to comprehend what they’d just told me. The words didn’t make sense.
“What do you mean? He’s gone? Like hunting outside the nest?”
Mama patted my knee and shot a worried look at Papa. “No, sweetheart. He’s gone to the Academy of Blood.” She smiled and deliberately lightened her voice to a cheerful tone that made me grind my teeth with fury. “He’ll learn so much there! All kinds of hand-to-hand combat and swordplay, battle techniques, plus all the political ties among the largest and most powerful houses. Carys even said they’ll teach the students court etiquette.”
If Carys was involved, then so was Auntie Shara. Betrayal and rage burned hotter inside me, two snarling, rabid beasts. If he was already gone…
