can defeat me?” the dragon hissed. “Come out of hiding and I’ll end your suffering.”
Lucian ignored the dragon and continued trying to find it while staying in the thick branches around him. The closer he got to a new branch, the more it would blossom and grow. He wished the plants would stop since it was giving away his position.
As more flowers bloomed the dragon mocked, “Planting flowers for your funeral? There will be nothing to bury.” A scaly, orange snout burst through the branches, snapping at Lucian. He slashed with his sword. The dragon screamed and Lucian ran to a different spot to hide, but each time he did the thorns of the thicket disappeared, replaced by beautiful blossoms. Again and again, the dragon’s snout darted in and out of the flower-laden branches. Lucian dodged and swerved but finally it was not enough. The dragon had snuck his tail around and now dangled Lucian. As he began speaking again, the dragon slowly changed from orange to green. “You won’t be saving your princess this time, young princeling,” Draconus sneered. He dropped Lucian into his open mouth.
Lucian bolted upright out of bed. His heart was racing and his breathing heavy. He sat there for a few moments. Rusty lifted his head and whimpered. “It’s okay, boy,” Lucian whispered after a moment. “It was just a nightmare.” He leaned back against the pillows, tightening the blankets about himself. “Just a nightmare.”
Time, it seemed, got faster each day and before they knew it, they were finishing their finals. Calista had announced during their heraldry final that she would be meeting each sixth-year boy individually in her office that afternoon after they finished with their classes. When all the boys were waiting patiently outside, she called Lucian into her office. He followed her and they sat down. “Lucian, it seems impossible to believe that we sit on the brink of graduation,” she said. “You have grown so much. Tell me what you think you have learned.”
“I’ve learned my strengths, my weaknesses,” he began. “I’ve learned how to look beyond the obvious and how to make do when things aren’t quite what I want them to be.”
“Do you feel you are ready to accept the responsibilities of being a Prince Charming?”
He thought for a moment. “I suppose whether I am or not, they’re coming. I have a lot more to learn, but I’ll have to do that as I go.”
“A good answer. Now I’m going to give you three keys to help you in your quest. First, be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what goes on around you and what you are capable of and not capable of. Second, trust in both your friends and your animals. They know you best and can help you succeed. Third, at times when you are ready to give up hope, remember the real reason you are going on a quest. It’s not just to earn a title or have a story; the real reason is to find your true love. Tomorrow is graduation and you will be given your diploma and a copy of your quest. Read your quest very carefully and be aware of the exact words that are used. They will tell you everything you need to know. You are about to begin a marvelous adventure. Think of it that way. Do you have any questions?”
“Were you able to find someone to take that silly dragon trove? I hardly need it.”
“We haven’t yet,” she replied. “However, we are looking into a couple of other places. If we haven’t been able to get rid of it before too long, we’ll find a way to contact you and get it sent to your home.”
“Alright, I think that does it for me.”
“Then I will say good night. Enjoy being with your friends,” Calista said as she waved Lucian out of her office.
The next morning, the school was full of parents, princesses and those getting ready to graduate. Lucian met Moira and Allegra for breakfast and enjoyed being with them, but also felt nervous. As their parents began walking towards them, Moira pulled Lucian away. “Here,” she said, handing him a bulky envelope. “Do not open it until after you begin your quest.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“That’s a silly answer. What if I want to open it now?”
“Lucian, I’m being serious,” she said. “I don’t want you to open it until after you’ve started your quest. Promise me.”
Laughing, he said, “Oh, alright, I promise I won’t open it until I start my quest.”
“After,” she corrected.
“After,” he repeated.
Moira smiled. “Okay then.” She took his hand and they rejoined the group. Lucian savored every moment they were able to spend together, despite the fact that there were lots of people around. Feeling her hand in his even for just a few moments at a time spoke volumes more than either of them could have said aloud.
All too soon the graduation ceremony was beginning. Melantha made her usual announcement about how some of the princesses would disappear. “This is perfectly normal and I assure you that they are each placed in a safe location.”
She began calling names. Lucian watched as girls he knew and girls he didn’t walked to get their diplomas. He saw Leticia go and to his surprise, she disappeared. It must have surprised some of the others because there was a collective gasp. Lucian then watched as Moira walked across. “I love you,” he mouthed as she reached for her diploma. She smiled and then in an instant was gone. Lucian felt his heart sink. Where was she and how would he find her?
When the last of the princesses was announced, Calista rose and started with a small speech. “Every year it is my honor to announce the graduates who will begin their quests for true love and happily-ever-after. I will give them their quests and anxiously await their triumphant return.” She then began calling names. Lucian watched George and Jacobi get their diplomas and waited for his turn. When she reached Lucian’s name, he walked forward and took his diploma. He took his seat near his family and began to open his quest, but his father’s hand stopped him.
“Wait until we can hear it,” he suggested. “You won’t have an opportunity to tell us otherwise.”
Lucian waited for the ceremony to be over and then followed his family outside. They were stopped by Lavinia who took Lucian’s and Allegra’s hands into her own. “Please, find my children,” she said, her voice a mixture of pride and worry.
“We will,” Lucian promised.
Lavinia smiled, “Good luck to you.”
Lucian nodded and then opened the copy of his quest and read aloud:
In unending night and lonely sleep,
Your princess silent vigil keeps.
Your quest to seek her where she lies,
At home underneath the starry skies.
Awaiting true love’s first embrace,
A kiss to waken the sleeping face.
“Well, son,” Lysander said with a choke of emotion. “This is the day we’ve all been waiting for. Go out and live your adventure. We’ll be waiting for you.” He hugged Lucian tight before allowing Alexandra and Allegra their turns. They entered their carriage and left for home. Lucian turned and read his quest again. He whistled for Zephyr and the horse came to him, Rusty loping at his side.
“Well, boys, it’s time to go rescue our princess.”
Epilogue
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“We’re home,” a feminine voice came from outside the room as the little boy asked, “That’s it? You can’t end the story there.”
“But your parents are home.”
“No, Mom, you have to go back,” he said as his parents entered the room.
“Whatever for?”
“She hasn’t finished the story yet. I have to know what happened to Adrian and Kaelen. And why is Leticia gone and where’s Moira?”
“How about I tell you more of the story the next time I babysit?”
“Okay, Dad, take Mom on a date tomorrow.”
His parents chuckled while Dad said, “Maybe not tomorrow, but I’ll make sure it’s soon, okay sport?”
The boy yawned wider. “I guess so.”
As the babysitter and his parents left the room, Mom said, “He never goes to sleep that easily. What did you do?”
?
??I simply told him the truth about fairy tales and where they began.”
“Well, we’ll certainly have you back,” Dad stated. “Are you busy next Wednesday?”
“Nope. I’ll make sure I’m available to babysit.”
“And bring that story with you,” Mom added as they paid her.
“Don’t worry, I always do.”
###
About Jessica L. Elliott
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For as long as she can remember, Jessica L. Elliott has been telling stories. As soon as she could grasp a pencil she began writing those stories down. Reading fueled her imagination, as did spending time with her five younger brothers and sisters. Everything was an adventure, something to be treasured and stories were her first love. Jessica began seriously writing in high school and continued into college while attending Emporia State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She wrote and released her first novel, Charming Academy, in August of 2011. It was revised and rereleased in June of 2012. Jessica currently lives in her Kansas hometown with her husband and young son. Her current project, Finding Prince Charming, is the first of the sequels to Charming Academy and she hopes to have it finished by the end of summer 2012.
Connect with Jessica L. Elliott
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessicaLElliottAuthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jess_L_Elliott
Website: www.jessicalelliott.com
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/JessicaLElliott
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