his teeth, Lucian got to work. He pointed out moonflax, silverweed, eastern dogwood, and greater snapdragon before getting on his hands and knees and pulling the weeds out of the garden. Lucretia watched him work, smiling to herself as the sun beat down from overhead. He then watered the garden, being sure to verbally explain what he was doing. “There,” he said, standing again.
“Hmm.”
She was silent for a moment and he asked, “Well, did I pass?”
“You’re done. Good day.”
“Did I pass?”
“You’ll see,” she replied in a falsely sweet tone.
Lucian rolled his eyes as soon as the witch couldn’t see him and headed back to the castle. Of all the classes to end on, that was the most disappointing. Even dragon fighting had gone better than that even though he was battling two dragons.
“All done?” Kaelen asked as Lucian plopped into a seat at the table.
“Finally. Ugh, I hope I don’t have that class next year. I don’t think I can stand one more simpering, sugary smile as she says, ‘I am disappointed in you.’ It’s maddening.”
The boys laughed and continued chatting as they ate their supper. The next day would be graduation for the oldest boys and the final meeting with their princesses for the year. Then they would enjoy their last summer before heading out on their quests. Calista made some announcements at the end of the meal and the boys decided, all weary from the long week of tests, to call it an early night.
In the morning, George, Jacobi and Lucian all stopped by Kaelen’s room to talk for a bit. They stayed until Gelasia arrived before going downstairs to meet their princesses. There were also parents starting to arrive. Lucian soon saw Moira and her mother talking to Alexandra and Allegra. He joined them and Allegra said, “We’re going to Lictthane this summer!”
“We’re not going to the seaside this year?” he asked his mother.
“No,” Alexandra replied. “Lavinia and her family have seen how beautiful our land is at this time of year. I thought it’d be nice to get an idea of what Lictthane is like in the summer.”
Soon they were separating for their meetings. Calista welcomed Lysander and Lucian into her office. “Well, another year has passed, Lucian. You are doing incredibly well.”
“Thanks,” he blushed. “Can I ask how I did in gardening?”
She laughed, “I take it Lucretia refused to say?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I’ll let you look into that when you look at your grades. They will be with your schedule for next year and your supply list,” Calista said. “For now, it’s time to seriously consider your quest. We have but one year left to get you completely prepared. Here is a list of things your teachers have compiled for you to do over the summer. I hope you’ll make time to work in each area. This will be the shortest summer break you’ll have. Come the beginning of August, you will once more be in our classrooms doing your last classes and then you’ll be out making your story come to life. This is an exciting time for you. Make the most of this final year and do enjoy your summer.”
“Is there anything else we should do to help him?” Lysander asked.
“Not for Lucian,” Calista began, “but for Allegra. Both of you have had a very hard year. You’ve each lost best friends; both temporarily and permanently. Take this summer to really spend time together as siblings. You won’t get another opportunity. Help Allegra learn and see what you can learn from her.”
“Okay.”
“And now, if there are no further questions, I will give you your final grades and we’ll meet again in August,” she said, rising from her seat.
“Will we be taking Kaelen this summer?” Lysander asked. “He is, of course, still welcome in our home.”
“I’m really not sure. He’s reaching a difficult point in his transformation and may wish to be alone for the summer. However, I will make you aware of his decision after I have met with him.”
“Very well,” Lysander said. “Thank you.”
Calista nodded and the two headed back downstairs to wait for Alexandra and Allegra. While they were downstairs, Lucian found George and Jacobi. “How’d you guys do?”
“I’ve got a mix,” Jacobi admitted. “Some classes were definitely better than others. But for the most part I did pretty good.”
“A’s and E’s” George replied. “I thought getting an A in dragon fighting to be rather generous. I hate that class so much.”
“I hear you,” Lucian replied as he opened his grade card. His jaw dropped and George started laughing. “E’s across the board I take it?”
“Almost,” Lucian admitted blushing. “I got an A in dragon fighting too. But everything else is an E. Even Lucretia gave me an E. Lucretia who’s constantly disappointed in me. How does that translate to an E?”
“Maybe she gives you bonus points for being cute,” George teased.
They were interrupted when the sound of shrieking from upstairs drew everyone’s attention. “You’ve lied to us!” a shrill woman’s voice screamed. “I knew I should have taken Anna from that school. Liars!”
“Wait, don’t take Anna from school,” Kaelen’s voice was heard as he came barreling down the stairs after Queen Angelique who was dragging a terrified and sobbing Anna behind her.
“Don’t speak to me, you animal!” she shrieked.
“I’ll go. Don’t punish Anna, it’s not her fault. I lied, I made the mistake.” His voice fell as hurt filled his face and expression. “I was wrong in thinking you could ever learn to love me again. Please, don’t hurt Anna by taking her away from school and the people she cares most about. I’ll leave, I give you my word.”
“The word of a beast!”
“The word of a gentleman. I’ll gather my things and leave this very night. Please, Anna needs to finish school.”
“Angelique,” King Roland began.
“Quiet,” she hissed.
A flash of anger passed over the king’s face and, for the first time in many years, he stood his ground. “No, Angelique. You listen to me. Anna will finish school. Kaelen has given us his word and I believe him.”
“You would. I’ll not have my daughter attending that school.”
“You will.”
Angelique stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’m still Anna’s father and I am the one responsible for her education,” he continued, his voice becoming stronger with every word. “Anna will finish her schooling at Fair Damsels Academy if I have to write her off as a ward of the school.”
“You wouldn’t dare…”
“Oh wouldn’t I? I’ll not take one more moment of your bitterness and hatred, do you hear me? Not one more word of it. Anna will go to Fair Damsels and Kaelen will be true to his word. I taught him better than to give his word of honor as a falsehood. I will stand by my son and trust him to make the right choice. You will learn your place.”
Angelique’s face turned white and then furious red in a matter of moments. She became aware of the crowd that had gathered and pulled herself together. “Very well, it shall be as you wish,” she hissed. She then grabbed Anna’s hand once again and started pulling her towards the door. “Come, we’re leaving.”
Roland turned to Kaelen and took his large paw. “Kaelen, I’m sorry that it’s had to be this way. When you complete your quest, come home. I know we’ve been awful. But, please, come home.”
Tears filled Kaelen’s eyes. He couldn’t speak, but merely nodded. He heard his mother shout for his father again and watched as Roland followed out of the castle, a new strength in his stride. He began to turn away from everyone when he heard his name. “Kaelen, I need to speak with you,” a strange man said. “We can speak in your room if you wish. I can help you pack.”
Kaelen shrugged, “Alright.” He led the way to his room. Upon entering he said, “Who are you?”
“My name is Maximillion. I’m,” he paused. “I’m your uncle.”
“Uncle?” Kaelen questioned. “I don’t have a
ny uncles. Both of my parents were only children.”
Maximillion shook his head, “No, your father has a brother; me. Your mother didn’t think me worthy of being family.”
“Why?”
“Failure isn’t looked well upon by most people. When I returned from my quest having not only failed it, but having it be completed by a someone with no training, Angelique saw to it that I was no longer welcome in my brother’s house.”
“You were Queen Alexandra’s prince,” Kaelen said, remembering Lucian’s parents’ story.
Maximillion nodded. “I was once. However, I’m not here to discuss my past with you. I’m here about your future. I believe it is time for you to begin life on your own. I spoke with Calista about this during a chance visit when you were first disowned.”
Realization dawned on Kaelen. “You were the family friend who offered me a home.”
“Right again,” Maximillion replied. “I have kept it in order for you. I think now may be the time to move there and begin your quest. I’ve spoken briefly with Calista about when you should move there. We had no idea that Angelique would go snooping about looking for you. I suppose, however, that she would have found out sooner or later.”
“Mother always could smell out a scandal,” Kaelen replied with a mirthless laugh.
“Be that as it may,” Maximillion replied, “let’s visit with Calista and we’ll make the necessary arrangements.”
After the graduation ceremony, Calista gave Kaelen and his friends time to say their goodbyes before the others headed home for the summer. She then oversaw