Page 6 of Princess Takes Academy
I turned my head and squealed. “Keras!”
It wasn’t a dream. He really was here.
I couldn’t remember coming back out of the tree or bringing him upstairs without waking anyone up. Usually Mama’s Blood were prowling around and always knew when I tried to sneak to the kitchen for a snack.
He moved closer to me, his shoulder pressed to mine. He was bigger and older than me, but I recognized the look in his eyes. My friend was scared.
Scared of Mama? She wouldn’t hurt a fly, unless it had hurt me. But he’d said his mother had been forced to leave their nest because he was a king. Maybe he thought Mama would do the same thing again.
Sometimes when I was in trouble—or scared—I just jumped right into the middle of it with both feet. Even better if I was funny or silly. Papa would always laugh and call me butterfly, and Mama always tried to be stern but I could feel the warmth and light in her bond.
This time, I had four feet to jump into trouble with. Or hooves. I wished for the unicorn, and I felt the warm spark of light growing inside me, spreading in a quick flood of magic and joy. I jumped down off the bed in a storm of rainbow sparks.:Look, Mama! I’m a unicorn now!:
“Goddess above. What happened? Where did your friend come from?”
:Isis came to me last night and took me to get Keras. He lost his mama and needs a place to stay. I made him my Blood.:
I felt a funny feeling in Mama’s bond, but I didn’t understand what it was. Tight and maybe sad.:You’re too young, sweetheart. You can’t have Blood yet.:
:But he is, Mama. We did the blood bond and Isis approved. He’s a king and needs my help to keep him from shifting. We need to protect him.:
“Welcome to House Zaniyah, young man.”
He slipped out of bed and came to stand beside me. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I meant no harm to your heir.”
“Xochitl has a way of getting into trouble all on her own. She tells me something happened to your mother.”
Keras’ bond surged like a mighty wind tore through him, but he didn’t cry. “She was forced from House Wata’s nest because of me. Then a giant golden crocodile killed her.”
Mama wrapped an arm around his thin shoulders. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Keras. That’s terrible.”
I didn’t realize Papa had joined us until I heard his deep, rumbling voice. He always sounded like thunder, even when he wasn’t angry. “My daughter’s friends are always welcome here, young one.”
Keras stared at Papa with big round eyes.:What is he? He’s even more powerful than your queen mother.:
:He’s the jaguar god of Tenochtitlan.:
Keras gulped.:You’re the daughter of a god?:
I tossed my head, making my pink mane float about my head.:Mama says queens need a god to have an heir. I’ll have her tell you the story of how she found Tepeyollotl later.:I trotted toward the door, giggling at all the sparks. Though my giggle came out funny. Unicorns snorted when they laughed.:I’m hungry. Come on, let’s see if Sarah has made pancakes.:
“She did indeed make pancakes, just for you,” Papa said. “Go on down. I want to talk to your friend a moment.”
:Okay, Papa.:
Keras’ bond went still and quiet inside me. Almost like he was hiding.:Don’t be scared. Papa loves me. Mama loves me. They would never hurt you.:
:But they may force me to leave.:
:Not in a million years. You’re my Blood. Nobody’s taking you from me.:
:Promise?:
:As long as I’m a unicorn!:
* * *
Keras
