“Murderous?” His usually half-closed, lazy eyes became wide. Lifting his chin, he said, “My apologies, Princess. I will be a better guardian from this moment forward. I certainly did not expect any perilous problems to arise on the first day. Did someone die?”
“A horse but others could be in danger.” Finnick. Finnick is in danger.
“I will check with the other cats about any rumors.”
“Thank you,” I said and sat down as he made for the door.
I laid down on my side to face Legacy who was fluffing her pillow. “What sort of creature do you think those professors from Collweya were talking about?”
Legacy shrugged. “Obviously it wasn’t a dragon but who knows what other things are from that place.”
“I know who we could ask.”
Legacy looked over her shoulder at me. “A certain prince from the North?” She grew a huge smile. “Will you introduce me to him? If he’s not already seeing someone, I’m going for it.”
I laughed. “Didn’t you already meet him?”
“No,” Legacy said sitting on her bed. “Both times you spoke with him I was talking to someone else.”
I could already see a relationship happening between them. Legacy was fun, witty, and a great person, and by the number of boys who’d expressed interest in her, gorgeous. She really had an incredibly beautiful face and amazingly thick, silky hair. “Of course I’ll introduce you.”
Hours passed before a candle on my bedside table lit and a piece of paper conjured from the flames and floated in the air, waiting to be plucked. Communication through magic. Legacy grabbed the half folded paper and opened it. “It says we may leave our room and go to the dining hall for supper. Signed by Madison.”
I hopped to my feet. “Good, I’m starving.”
Chapter 7
When I opened the door, Bindy, my attendant stood on the other side with one fist in the air like she was about to knock and the other hand held a rather delicious looking cupcake. The dollop of chocolate frosting made my mouth water. “Bindy,” I said in surprise. I knew she was coming but with all the commotion I’d almost forgotten.
“Hello, Visteal. Apologies for being late.” Her brown eyes assessed me from head to toe, probably making sure I hadn’t been hurt in any way. She must have heard about the thing creeping around our grounds. “I’ll escort you and Legacy to the dining hall.”
When we began to descend the stairs I heard doors opening and the chatter of girls from behind us. The other students must have just gotten their notes of permission.
“I’ve only just arrived but I heard about the horse,” Bindy said. “I want you two to be very careful. Don’t wander about by yourselves and always carry your weapons.”
I cracked a smile, I didn’t leave my room without at least three items I could kill a person with.
Legacy took a dagger from her belt and flipped it in the air. “Never go anywhere without it.”
Bindy looked at me. “Your parents left to meet with leaders from Nordia or they’d no doubt be here. There was an attack on our southern border by a group of Nordian rebels—”
“We were attacked?” I blurted out.
“No Delhoon died,” Bindy said. “It was one of those rabbel groups who won’t do any real damage. The so-called leaders the King and Queen are meeting with only want to stop us from obliterating them one village at a time. Considering this is the third time this has happened in a month.”
I clenched my hands into fists. “If I was queen we’d already have a battalion down there putting an end to this. Mother is too lenient.”
Bindy clicked her tongue. “Your mother is a wise leader who knows much more about war than you do. Wars cost precious lives.”
“We probably wouldn’t even lose any of our soldiers. They aren’t organized or trained fighters,” I argued. Even if I didn’t know as much about war as my mother, I knew we could destroy Nordia if we wanted to.
“We would lose some but they would lose many and just because they aren’t Delhoon doesn’t mean their lives are worthless. We are ready for war should it be necessary but we never seek it out. You know this.”
I wanted to argue, when would it be necessary? But I let it go. It’s not as if me making a point with Bindy would make any sort of difference.
Once we arrived at our table in the dining hall I looked around for Aric. Matters within my own academy walls were more important than things happening outside. But after looking for several minutes, I didn’t see him.
When everyone was eating dessert, Headmaster Jace stood at the podium. “Some of you may have heard the reason for the lockdown was an animal attack on a horse. I want to assure you we will do everything we can to ensure your safety here. You should not be afraid but do be on your guard. Don’t leave your dorm after curfew which is ten o’clock. You have bathing rooms, a common area and food there also, so there is no reason to leave your kingdom’s dormitories after this time.”
I hadn’t seen the common room for the Delhoon girls’ dorms yet. Something I’d have to explore after this meeting. I glanced across the room at Zyacus who looked to be flirting with a girl sitting next to him. The way she stared into his eyes and touched his shoulder—irritated me. It shouldn’t, considering I hated the bastard but a spark of anger burned inside me, nonetheless. I pushed that feeling away.
I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to sneak off to the lake to watch Zyacus fulfill his losing end
