Page 27 of Princess Takes Academy
Uncle Tlacel released our queen’s hand and gave me a giant bear hug. “There’s our princess, all grown up.”
Uncle Itztli had always been quieter and more reserved, but he kissed both of my cheeks. “It’s been too long, butterfly.”
We Aima lived hundreds and hundreds of years. Even five years passed in the blink of an eye. Though I wasn’t too young to understand his gentle admonishment. We never knew when another queen or nest would fall. Queen Shara had eliminated the god of light, who’d been violently attacking our queens for centuries, but there were always new foes. New political enemies and prizes to be won. Court games were exhausting and quite often deadly.
I wanted nothing to do with such games. House Zaniyah had always led a simple life far from the deadly circles of Triune courts. Thankfully Queen Shara seemed determined to continue that lack of formality, at least for us.
Staring at her, I opened my mouth to say the proper greetings and to offer up one of the thousands of apologies I’d drafted in my head. But the words fluttered away like the hummingbird we’d seen outside. Once upon a time, she’d meant everything to me outside my own family. She’d given me her blood, named me her heir, and blessed me with her goddess’s attention. She’d allowed me to use her gift of the heart tree. She’d gifted me with unlimited access to her nest and herself, despite her growing power.
She’d given me anything I’d ever wanted, and even her punishment—taking Keras away—had been for my good. I knew that. I just hadn’t liked it. I still didn’t, though I could understand her reasoning.
Without even trying, her power hung about her like thick, velvety shadows. I didn’t need my own power to sense the sheer enormity of her strength. She could squash me like a bug and not even notice. She could have banished me for my temper tantrum and the hateful things I’d wailed at the top of my lungs. She could have punished Mama and stripped her of the honors she’d given Zaniyah. Certainly, I deserved to be disinherited from the vast Isador legacy.
Instead, Shara Isador wrapped her arms around me and squeezed me so tightly that I burst into tears.
4
Xochitl
Iwished I could cry dainty, delicate tears rather than noisy, extremely messy sobs. I drenched Queen Shara’s shirt and ruined it with smeared makeup. Hopefully it really was one of the Blood’s shirts and not an expensive designer nightshirt.
Somehow I ended up in one of the wingback chairs, tucked up against her in the same seat with her arms around me. Winston quietly placed a silver tray on the side table. Her big alpha, Rik, stood at our backs, one hand lightly on her shoulder, as if he couldn’t bear to not touch her for a single second.
She released me to attack the muffins like she hadn’t eaten in years. Shocked, I could only watch, torn between amusement and bewilderment. I knew she liked muffins, but goddess above, this was next-level starvation.
“Good thing you didn’t leave any of the paper liners on them.” Daire laughed as he curled an arm around Queen Shara’s knee. He licked up some of the crumbs that settled on her thigh, making me blush.
I was no naive little human without a clue what sex was. That would have been impossible in an Aima court. Mama had five lovers, not counting Queen Shara, who had at least a dozen Blood of her own.
I had one Blood. I just had to find him again.
And then…
Maybe I’d find out what it felt like to have crumbs licked off my bare thigh by a gorgeous man on his knees at my feet. Though I couldn’t see Keras on his knees. He’d always had a solemn yet regal presence. A king rhinoceros didn’t bow his head for anyone. Let alone the spoiled brat of a queen he’d been sworn to as a child.
“Bacon,” Queen Shara said around a mouthful of blueberry muffin. “Do we have any? That sounds good.”
Even I knew that our queen didn’t like a lot of meat or greasy foods, unless she’d greatly changed in the years I’d been absent. Something weird was definitely going on, but at least that helped me dry my tears. Though I still had the hiccups. Gah. I hated getting so emotional, but it was even worse when I couldn’t even say a few words without hiccupping loudly and just as ungracefully as I’d cried.
“Right away, Your Majesty.” Winston seemed downright gleeful to have something else to cook for her. He left the nearly empty tray and quickly headed back toward the kitchen. Mama sat in the other wingback chair and poured tea for us.
Dread tightened my throat as I stared at the elegant and dainty cup she placed before me. It looked expensive and priceless. It was probably some super-rare china from the Isador legacy that Isis Herself had blessed thousands of years ago.
Mama gave me a stern nod as I picked up the delicate cup. I could do this. Without spilling it on myself or shattering the fine china. Sure. No big deal.
With a pleased sigh, Queen Shara sat back in the chair, wriggling her shoulders playfully as she wedged into place beside me. “There’s one left if you’d like it, Xochitl.”
“No thank you, Your Majesty.” I took a deep breath and tipped my chin up. “I wanted to offer my sincerest apologies—”
“Don’t you dare, sweetheart,” she broke in. “I wasn’t sure if I should give you space or not, but your mother insisted that when the time was right, you’d want to come to me, and I shouldn’t rush you. All is forgiven. I hated causing you any pain or sadness, but we all agreed it was for the best. You and Keras needed some time to grow up individually and gain some independence. I’m so happy to see you again. You’re all grown up now.”
I wasn’t independent. At all. I was still stuck at home with my mother and great-grandmother like a little schoolgirl.
Mama gave me a sharp, warning nudge in our bond. It was all I could do not to stick my tongue out at her. “She’s feeling constrained at home and would like permission to seek a fostering situation outside my nest.”
Queen Shara took a sip of her tea before answering. Another. As if she was deep in thought.
I couldn’t bear it. I blurted out, “I want to go to the Academy of Blood.”
