Page 5 of Princess Takes Academy
Laughing, even though it came out like a whinny, I raced around Isis, stomping my hooves. Something flashed behind me, and I curved around to look.
At my beautiful, hot pink tail.
I jumped into the air as high as I could and let out a strident neigh.:Thank you! I love it! I’m a unicorn!:
“You’re most welcome, child.” Isis laughed, clapping Her hands. “When you’re older, you can have wings too, if you like. I don’t think your mother would approve of wings at this age.”
Wings. I was going to be a Pegasus unicorn. With pink mane and sparkling hooves and horn…
:This is the best day ever.:I trotted over to Keras and gave him a playful bump with my nose, mindful of my horn.:I have a new friend, my first Blood, and I’m a unicorn.:
He smiled, but his eyes echoed with sadness.
My best day… was his worst.
I stepped closer and swung my head around behind his shoulders, so my neck curved around him.:I’m sorry, Keras.:
:Don’t be sad, my queen. Mama would be very happy that I found a queen like you to serve.:
:My name’s Xochitl.:
:Yes, my queen.:
I blew out a snort and stepped back. Mama said Blood could be funny about some things, especially when it came to their queen.
“Let’s get you home,” Isis said.
I trotted ahead and around them, bouncing with excitement. I couldn’t wait to show Mama.:Keras, shift. Let’s race.:
:I can’t…:His eyes widened as his beast flowed out of him. His rhino stared back at me, twice as tall and huge, even if he was young.:Wow. Thank you, my queen.:
I wasn’t sure what he meant.
“Intention,” Isis explained, waiting for us to join her at the tree that should take us home. “You wished him to shift, so he could. You provide the control he needs. He’ll never have to struggle to shift, or fear his ability to prevent himself from shifting, again.”
I felt so small beside his rhino. I could probably ride him.
As soon as I thought it, I ran at him and jumped as high as I could. My hooves clattered on his hide, but somehow, I managed to scale his muscled shoulder like a goat. Pleased, I walked up and down the length of his broad back, sparkling all over him.
:That tickles.:
Giggling—which came out a whinny—I stomped harder, spinning rainbows all over him.
Isis laughed, a musical sound that flowed around us and made the world dim. As I drifted to sleep, I heard Her words in my head.:You delight my heart, child of Coatlicue.:
2
Xochitl
“What on earth! Xochitl! Wake up!”
Groggy, I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. I was having such a fun dream. I’d been galloping across the hills as my very own unicorn. With a shiny horn. Pink mane. Sparkles on my hooves.
Best of all, I’d had a friend.
Many people lived in our nest, but no one else was my age. No one would play with me. “What’s wrong, Mama?”
Hands on her hips, she stared at my bed. “Who is this?”
