courted by someone else. Others, however, are stuck until the quest is completed by another. There are cases where quests have never been completed.”
“How awful! Shouldn’t the fairies do something for them?”
“I’m afraid, my dear, that’s not how it works,” she replied. “We do our best to promote for you the match that will make you happiest. It is why we ask your parents so many questions about you and your interests before you even come to our school. However, there is no spell we can place to ensure your love and devotion.”
“But can’t you do anything for them?” he demanded.
“My dear boy. You have so much love for everyone. We only have limited power on these quests. In many cases, we do not even know where they are. We only know that the quest has not been completed because we are not summoned. We don’t have the power to save them.”
George suddenly got a stubborn look on his face. “Gelasia, when I graduate, I’m going to rescue all the princesses who are still out there waiting.”
Slightly amused, she asked, “What? And marry them all too?”
“I’m serious, Gelasia. I can’t marry the others because I already have a princess,” he replied. “Since she is taken from me, I will spend the rest of my life saving the lost and forgotten. No one deserves to be alone forever.”
“You wish to do this, even though it could mean that you are alone forever,” she said, hoping that he would understand what he was offering. “You would travel to every corner of Sanalbereth, searching for the lost princesses.”
“Yes, I would. It’s not fair to be just forgotten. Eleanor wasn’t forgotten, she died. But I won’t let other princesses live out their days in towers or whatever if I can do something to save them. I’ve been paying attention in spell breaking; there are multiple ways to break a spell. It’s not always as simple as kissing the girl.”
“And the princesses whose spells depend upon love’s first kiss? What will you do for them?”
“I’ll find another way,” he replied.
“Hmm,” she said noncommittally. “Well, it’s very late and you should be in bed. Good night, George.”
“You don’t think I can do this, do you?” he asked as he rose.
“George, dear, if anyone in the world could do it, it would be you.”
Saturday came quickly and soon there were princesses milling about the castle looking for their princes. Lucian spied Allegra and went to say hello. She walked away to talk to Clarissa and Jacobi as Moira came up to him. An awkward quietness fell over them and lasted through breakfast. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see a meal end,” Lucian admitted quietly to Moira as they began their scavenger hunt.
“Me neither. I couldn’t believe how quiet it was.” She paused for a moment before continuing, “I’m sorry, Lucian. It doesn’t seem to matter what any of the rest of us say, Allegra simply won’t forgive you. She’s forgiven the fairies, Adrian, even the witches! I’m not sure why she’s holding out against you.”
“Because it’s easier to blame me, I guess. How’s Leticia doing?”
“She’s holding on. She and Allegra spend a lot of time together. I try to be there as often as I can too and so does Clarissa. It’s just so hard to fill that void. Eleanor always knew just what to say to make anyone feel better. I’ve tried talking to her because I’m at least a twin; I understand some of what that feels like having lost Adrian the way I did. But even that’s not the same; Adrian isn’t dead. Eventually, he’ll come back. Eleanor is gone and there is no bringing her back. How’s George?”
Lucian described in brief the fight George had gotten himself into. “He seems to be doing better since he talked to Gelasia, but you can tell he’s still hurting.”
“I don’t doubt it,” she said. “I can’t imagine what either of them must be feeling right now. I suppose the best we can offer is to be there as much as possible when they need us.”
They continued their search and their time together seemed to fly. It wasn’t long before they’d finished and returned to the group in the dining hall. They weren’t really sure who the first couple was, and didn’t care. With Allegra still ignoring Lucian and Kaelen and George ignoring each other, they anxiously awaited lunch.
“Do you mind if we kind of sit off to ourselves?” Moira asked as they went outside for the luncheon.
“I don’t,” he replied, “But our friends may not appreciate it.”
“Lucian, half of them aren’t speaking to anyone anyways,” she pointed out. “Please, I really want it to just be us.”
“Well, you can tell them,” he said. “I’m not getting myself in any more trouble.”
“Wimp,” she teased. She handed Lucian her plate, walked to the group and told them that they would be sitting elsewhere. Allegra muttered something under her breath and Moira continued, a warning note to her voice, “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. But I will warn you that if you say something like that about your brother again, I’ll ensure that you can’t speak for a week.”
“How do you plan on doing that?” she demanded.
“Now, now, girls,” Clarissa began.
“I don’t know,” Moira interrupted, “but I’ll find a way. Your brother is going out of his way to be nice to you and you’re treating him like garbage. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at the witch who cursed him.”
“You can’t even begin to understand what this is like.”
“Try me. Do you think I don’t miss Adrian? Do you think Lucian doesn’t miss him? They’re best friends for crying out loud. Why don’t you quit moping and start trying to figure out how you’re going to save him? Or do you plan on just leaving him out there?”
Allegra started to rise from her chair, but was prevented from speaking as a terrifying blast of thunder roared overhead. The once sunny sky had been so quickly overshadowed by storm clouds that no one had noticed them until it was too late. Giant drops of rain began pelting the ground and small hailstones rained upon the party. Girls were screaming and boys shouting as they ran towards the building to get out of the thunderstorm. The fairies were desperately trying to keep order while getting everyone indoors as quickly as possible. Lightning danced about and thunder crashed as the massive group scurried inside. Not a person was dry as the doors finally closed. There was sniffling and crying as people rubbed painful welts from hailstones and girls tried to wring out their hair. Several fairies began bringing warm towels.
When Calista finally got things quiet she said, “I believe our storm was a punishment on the whole group. There must have been bad feelings between many people. Only when there are multiple people in the wrong do the witches perform a mass punishment like this. You know who you are if you are among the guilty. I would suggest that you settle your differences so the ladies can have a pleasant trip home, rather than be hit with more rain and hail. There is as much danger in holding a grudge as there is in picnicking in a storm.”
There was some shuffling about as various people throughout the room made quiet amends. As more people forgave and were forgiven, the storm outside lessened to a gentle rainfall. Allegra looked sullenly at Lucian. “You should have told me. I could have prepared myself for it.”
“I couldn’t Allegra, I’m sorry. But I promise I’ll do everything I can to help you be successful.”
“I’m sorry,” she said at length, falling into Lucian’s arms. “I just miss him so much.”
“I know,” he said, stroking his sister’s hair. “I miss him too.”
Within moments, the sun was shining and birds chirping. Melantha gathered her girls together and prepared them to leave. They would have to forego the luncheon as all the food had been soaked in the storm. Moira smiled at Lucian as she got ready to leave. “While I didn’t appreciate getting rained on, it seems to have done the trick.”
“They do have several centuries experience getting us to see the light,” he teased.
“Well, goodbye, Lucian. I’ll see you at the end of t
he year.”
“Goodbye, Moira.” He waved as the girls left the castle and headed out to the carriages. Looking outside, Lucian could hardly believe that there had been a storm, though he had several welts and soaked clothing to prove that there had been.
Calista ordered all the boys to their rooms to change into dry clothing. “I’ll have the cook staff make a light luncheon of soup and bread.”
Finals week soon came and Lucian’s last final of the year was in gardening. Lucretia hovered over his shoulder, breathing down his neck as he wrote the answers on his test. He was tempted to ask her to move, but didn’t want to offend the witch. The last thing he wanted was to spend summer vacation lime-green. Over the past few weeks, boys unlucky enough to be punished by her spent several days the awkward color. When he finished the written part of the exam, Lucretia pulled it from his hand so fast that Lucian got a paper cut. “Ouch!”
“Sorry,” she threw over her shoulder. She scanned the test and said, “Well, I suppose that will do, although I know you could have given me more detail here, Lucian. I’m disappointed.” She pouted. “The last part of your final will be identifying four plants out in my garden. You will also show me how to properly removed weeds and pests from the garden. Lastly, you will tell me the proper amount of fertilizer to water for three plants of your choice and demonstrate how they should be applied.”
Gritting