let’s get this over with. I’m having veal for supper tonight and I can hear it calling.” He licked his lips hungrily.
“I don’t hear anything,” Adrian whispered as the first boy went into the arena.
“I think he has better hearing than the rest of us,” Lucian replied.
“Certainly I do, waterfall,” Draconus said. “You and his greenness had best be paying attention.”
Adrian scowled.
Lucian could tell Adrian was frustrated and tried to smile, but he was concerned about the teasing too. It had to stem from something. He was forced to push his thoughts aside as Draconus defeated yet another boy and it was his turn to try.
“Ah yes, the waterfall,” the dragon sneered. “This should be easier than the last boys. But I see your slippers have gone. What a pity, such a nice shade for you.”
Lucian struck out with his sword. He heard the clang of the metal against dragon scales. Even Draconus looked surprised; so far no one had been able to touch him. His eyes narrowed into reptilian slits and he spouted fire, which Lucian blocked. He struck again and again, missing most of the time, but every now and again hearing the satisfying ring of sword against scales. He leapt away from spurts of flame and Draconus’ snapping jaws. He could feel himself wearing out, but he refused to be beaten. Not this time. Spying an opening, he thrust for Draconus’ arm, but didn’t see his tail snaking along the room until it was too late. He had flicked Lucian’s sword away and pinned him to the wall before he could take the stroke.
“You are supper, my little waterfall,” Draconus hissed, though he seemed nearly as tired as Lucian. “A valiant effort, but you must constantly be on your guard. Dragons are as quick with their tails as they are with their tongues.”
“A mistake I won’t make next time,” Lucian panted, staring straight back into the dragon’s eyes, still pinned between Draconus’ thick, scaly tail and the arena wall.
A flicker of a smile flit across Draconus’ face. “Bravely spoken,” he said before he sent Lucian off and the next boy was brought into the arena. At the end of class, Lucian was brought forward to receive a medal for improvement in the class. He thought this unwarranted since Draconus had remained undefeated by the end of the day, but kept it to himself. There was no reason to seek to offend the easily-offended dragon. Besides, he couldn’t help but enjoy, even just a little bit, the look of jealousy on Kaelen’s face. While he was not as bad as he had been when they’d first met, Kaelen’s arrogance and pride had worn down the bonds of friendship they’d forged.
As they left class, the boys headed first to the infirmary. George had a nasty burn on his hand where his shield had broken during his final. Draconus had immediately ended the battle while Vulcan sent him to the infirmary.
George smiled as his friends entered. “Wouldn’t you know it? I would lose my writing hand.”
“Tallia didn’t cut your arm off did she?” Jacobi asked in wide-eyed panic.
“Of course I didn’t. I merely put a burn relief potion on it and bandaged it. I believe he meant he couldn’t use his arm, not that is was permanently gone.” She turned back to George. “Come back in the morning so I can apply a fresh bandage and round of potion on it. Good thing you’re done with finals.” She suddenly frowned. “You are done with finals, right?”
“Yeah, I’m done,” George replied with a smile. “They did our fine arts finals last week so that Friday could be the meeting with the girls. I’m going to meet Eleanor one-handed.”
“I’m sure she’ll think you just as dashing. Besides, they always say that girls love a man with scars,” she said with a wink. “Now, off to supper all of you. I’ve got lots to do.”
Friday morning dawned with snow flurries drifting past the castle windows. Lucian dressed quickly, excited for the day; until he remembered that his parents wouldn’t be coming to see him. He frowned before forcing himself to put a smile on his face. Today he was going to be the perfect Prince Charming, just like his dad. Since he’d woken up early, he’d taken time to write to his parents, telling them he’d miss them over break, about the fight with Draconus, his new medals and the rest of his finals. He sealed the envelope and put it in the mailbox before heading down the stairs.
As the gleaming carriages pulled up, Calista warmly greeted their guests. The girls walked in and shrugged off winter cloaks into the waiting hands of other fairies. Allegra immediately hugged Lucian tightly, traces of tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry I was so awful to you. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Allegra, I forgave you a long time ago; or did you miss my letter?”
Smiling her impish grin, she said with some seriousness, “It’s much easier to write it than to say it. I just want to be sure.”
Soon, Moira joined them and Allegra backed away to speak to Adrian and give Lucian and Moira a chance to talk. Lucian could see in her eyes barely hidden traces of hurt. “Hi,” she said.
“Moira, I’m so sorry for what I said.”
“I already told you that I forgave you.”
He shook his head. “What I said was cruel and heartless and I don’t want you to think that I’ll always treat you that way. I normally would never…”
Moira put a finger to his lips. “Don’t, Lucian. I know that was out of character for you. I’m sure when you read my letter you thought it was just to get my shoes back, which I can’t wear anymore because you stretched them out so badly,” she added with a teasing grin; one of the first he’d ever seen. “I truly meant it when I said I forgave you. Let’s,” she sighed. “Let’s just not talk about it again, okay?”
Unable to find his voice, Lucian nodded. Moira’s touch had been so gentle and her voice so soft. She looked away, her dark blue eyes hidden behind her eyelashes. As his heart skipped a beat, he suddenly knew what it felt like to be in love.
He didn’t have time to contemplate this newfound emotion as the boys led their princesses into the dining hall. Moira reluctantly accepted his arm as they walked. When they’d had a seat and Lucian had served them both, there was chatter and laughter around the table. They each spoke avidly with their friends. Moira and Adrian were describing the wintry plains of Lictthane to Allegra and Lucian found himself listening in. Leticia grabbed his attention by saying, “Lucian, I was sorry to hear from Allegra about your father. I hope he is soon well.”
He smiled. “Thanks, Leticia. What are your winter plans?”
“Eleanor and I will be staying at home for the winter. There’s an art contest during break which Eleanor will be entering. Do you know if Allegra has made up her mind about it?”
Grinning sheepishly, he replied, “While my sister and I have a pretty good relationship, I don’t necessarily remember everything she’s told me. I’m really not sure if she will be or not.”
She laughed. “That’s alright. Even as Eleanor’s twin I don’t always know what’s in her head.”
“I don’t think siblings ever really know what is going on in the other one’s head,” George added. “Or maybe it’s just that I’m a boy surrounded by girls and I never know what they’re thinking.”
Laughing, Eleanor replied, “I don’t believe that, George. You read people very well.”
Breakfast continued with laughter and chatting about the table. Allegra revealed that she would be entering the contest, but refused to say what she was entering. “It’s a surprise,” she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. They quieted as Melantha told them about the day’s activities and they adjourned to the gymnasium.
The fairies seemed to have outdone themselves in decorating. The gym was a sparkling wintry fairyland with snow encrusted pine trees and fragrant cedar boughs crackling in the magical fireplaces. There were pale blue and lavender armchairs in front of the fireplaces where they were allowed to sit together. Some older couples were hogging most of them, but Lucian saw one available. “Do you mind if we just sit and talk for a while?” he asked. When Moira looked ready to refuse he added, “If it starts getting too personal we can g
o play silent board games. I just really want to talk to you for a bit.”
For a moment, Moira looked like she was going to say no. There seemed to be an inner conflict. “Alright, we can talk.”
Lucian led her to the last available fireplace and held her chair for her. She was wearing a satiny lavender gown with a purple ribbon tied in her hair. “You look lovely this morning,” he said as he sat down.
Moira blushed. “I just threw myself together really. I woke up late.”
“Well,” he laughed, “you threw yourself together pretty well. I’d still have bed head.”
“What did you want to talk about?” She looked nervous and uncomfortable.
“This may not be a good way to start, but I wanted to talk about you and Adrian,” he said hesitantly. “Why don’t you get along?”
“You’re right, that’s a bad way to start,” she replied. She looked about to get up from her seat, then settled back saying, “There’s a lot between us, Lucian. And it’s very complicated. I’m not ready to talk to you about that. If you ask Adrian, he’ll tell you the same thing. The truth, well, the truth is that we see eye to eye more often than we argue. But, you wouldn’t understand.”
Lucian bit his tongue to keep from saying that she wasn’t letting him try to understand. Instead, he asked her about Lictthane.
Her answer was prevented by a sudden shout, “If I