Page 32 of Princess Takes Academy
“How’d we go from the heart tree to a mirror? Are we in Scotland? Where is this? Can I see Keras now?”
“My, my, my.” The stranger came closer, moving the ball of light closer to my face. It was bright enough that I shielded my eyes against the glare. No wonder the mirror had glimmered. I’d probably seen this fireball reflected back at me.
From what I could see through watering eyes, she was shorter than both me and Carys. At first glance, she looked like an archer, or a female Robin Hood, in leather pants and a snug leather vest over a loose long-sleeved blouse. A long, thick braid hung down her shoulder all the way to the floor, dragging ever so slightly beside her. She didn’t seem to notice the thick dust coating the tip of her braid. She had a wide, generous smile. Crinkles at the corners of her mouth and eyes hinted at lots of laughter. I had no idea how old or powerful she was, but she had to be a queen.
With the largest Siamese cat that I’d ever seen, with silver fur and the bluest, most beautiful eyes. A Blood, maybe? Who turned into a housecat? That wasn’t very intimidating.
“So this is the situation you warned me about.”
She—Meredith?—must also have a blood bond with Carys, because I’d never seen her use a cell phone, and we’d just left Isador moments ago.
“Think you can handle her?” Carys asked.
The woman looked me up and down and smiled. “She looks tame enough.”
Carys snorted. “Looks can be deceiving.”
I planted my fists on my hip and tipped my head chin up proudly. “I’m Xochitl Zaniyah, daughter of Mayte Zaniyah, and heir to Queen Shara Isador, Triskeles queen. I’m here to collect my Blood, Keras.”
“This is going to be fucking hilarious.” The woman guffawed loudly and slapped Carys on the back. “Let the games begin.”
7
Xochitl
Meredith—I still hadn’t caught her formal House name—led us through what seemed to be an endless labyrinth coated in an inch of dust. It didn’t look as if anyone had been down in the basement storage for centuries. We passed countless vague lumps draped with sheets, some bright white as if newer, but others were dingy and yellowed with age. Cobwebs hung from some of the larger pieces, and our steps echoed as if the room went on and on for miles.
“Where—” I started to ask, but Meredith shushed me without saying a word. Just a fierce narrowed look was enough to silence me. At least for now.
She might be little, but there was a grim finality in her eyes that reminded me of Guillaume de Payne. As if she’d fought in numerous wars and seen plenty of fellow soldiers fall in combat, so that nothing, absolutely nothing, would ever scare or intimidate her ever again.
We climbed old, slimy stairs for what seemed like an eternity. My thighs ached and I was so glad I hadn’t tried to wear high heels. I would have stumbled and killed myself for sure. Shuddering, I looked back over my shoulder. The gigantic cat followed us, as if protecting our rear. I could only see a couple of steps behind us. The darkness seemed eager to follow us, almost like it was alive. It gave me the creeps, and I longed for my own light. If I had my power, I could shift to my unicorn and gallop up this ridiculously long staircase in a shower of rainbow sparks.
Finally Meredith pushed open dual wooden doors. We stepped out of a cellar into sunshine in the middle of a green field. I turned in a slow circle, drinking in the sights, and yeah, looking for Keras. Hoping that maybe he’d sensed my presence, even with our broken bond. Maybe he still carried a tiny bit of my blood and knew I was close.
There were trees in the distance, but nothing like Queen Shara’s grove. A crumbling castle sat on a slight rise above us. The walls were falling down, and the main tower looked like it’d taken a few cannon balls over the many centuries it had kept watch on the hill. I didn’t see any other buildings, certainly nothing that had even been built in the last hundred years.
Thisruinhad been Keras’ home. For years. A cold, drafty, falling-down wreck of a castle?
And now I was going to be fostered here too?
I couldn’t help but laugh. Mama would take one look at this place and drag me all the way back to Mexico on foot if need be.
Meredith’s lips quirked as she noticed my reaction. “Looks can be deceiving.”
“Very true,” Carys replied. “For instance, take this girl, here. She looks very proper and staid, but I can assure you that she’ll be running off into the night like a banshee at the first chance she gets.”
My cheeks burned, mostly with rage not shame, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t give a rat’s ass what Carys thought of me. I only had to cooperate and be good until I got to Keras. Then we’d both go galloping off into the night.
I followed the other two queens up a winding trail toward the castle. Shadows lengthened, night falling quickly. I couldn’t tell what time it was, but it felt late, despite the sunlight that was only just now fading. Temperatures didn’t usually affect me, but after being down in the grimy basement, I wanted a bath. I felt sweaty and dirty and gross. But even if they had some kind of plumbing in the decrepit castle, I didn’t have anything to change into. I couldn’t see Mama making that trek through the massive cellar to bring me a trunk.
The wind picked up, blowing my hair around like I’d stepped into a cyclone. My skin tingled faintly. The blood circle? But it didn’t feel like a solid protective ring that would keep things out. Meredith wasn’t touching me, but I didn’t feel any pain or compulsion to stay out.
I swiped my hair out of my face and froze.
We stood at the edge of a courtyard surrounded by thick, perfectly straight walls that didn’t look like old crumbled stone at all but were creamy marble. The clang of metal slamming against metal rang in the enclosed space. The floor was paved in the same colored tiles. Not dirt and weeds like an abandoned ruin.
People fought in pairs across the courtyard in hand-to-hand combat. At least twenty pairs. Mostly men, but there were a few women too. One by one, they turned. They saw me.
