Three boys stood apart from the rest of the group. The one in the middle, muscular arms folded over his broad chest, and an arrogant smirk on his face, locked eyes with me. Those pimples he once had—gone, replaced with an attractive dark stubble. The scrawny boy I’d met years ago had grown into a well-built, gorgeous man. As much of a man as he could be at eighteen, but he certainly was not a child anymore.
“Prince,” I said curtly.
Zyacus ran a hand through his shiny hair, a shade or two lighter than black. His crystal blue eyes, so light they were distracting, flicked to Legacy then back to me. “You were just going to walk by and not say hello? I’m hurt, Princess.”
“I didn’t see you,” I said, wondering where the rude boy I knew went. I guess he was a kid the last time we saw each other, perhaps his behavior had grown up as much as his physical appearance.
“I doubt that. You were just scared, weren’t you? Typical of the Delhoon Princess.” His two friends snickered.
And he was back. “Scared to talk to an arrogant ass? No, actually I wanted to meet Aric, the Prince of Collweya. You’re old news.”
The smile dropped from his face and he glanced away. “Oh, you mean my cousin? I already told him how annoyingly self-righteous you are.”
“Self-righteous?” I scoffed. “And by the way,” I stepped closer and lowered my voice, “he’s not your cousin. His real father’s name is Rorin and he’s Delhoon.” I almost bit my tongue after that one. The rumor that the former queen’s son was a bastard prince wasn’t supposed to be talked about outside my family. All I knew was some devious things happened years ago during the Queens Challenge which resulted in Aric.
Zyacus looked around as if to see who overheard my last statement, and stepped so close that I could smell his sweet minty breath. “You better be careful with the sort of accusations you throw around.” His tone sharp as a blade.
I placed my hand on his firm chest and gave him a little shove. “Get out of my face.” I wanted to call him names, and use a few profanities but I was all too aware of people watching us.
Legacy tugged on my arm, pulling me away. “I guess you weren’t joking about a fight between the two of you,” she whispered.
“Good idea, walk away,” Zyacus said, his friends laughed again.
Blood burning like hot coals, I whipped around but Legacy kept hold of me. “Don’t,” she said harshly. “One more mess up and we’re expelled, remember?” I wasn’t sure my parents would actually expel me, but they might.
With my hands shaking in anger, I held my tongue, and allowed Legacy to lead me over to the Collweyan students.
“Hello,” she said, grinning.
“Hi,” said a girl with icy blonde hair. We talked with her for a few minutes, until Legacy got her and a few other students laughing. Soon after that, Taz walked over to join us, and that’s all it took for many on all sides to step forward and intermingle.
While chatting with one of the Collweyan students, I got a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I found a boy looking back at me with a smile. “Hi, I’m Aric,” he said.
Chapter 4
For the second time that day I was surprised at the good looks of a boy. Not that I was deprived of attractive male students in Delhoon but Prince Aric was easy on the eyes. From his shaggy sandy-brown hair, to his strong-looking body, to his smooth pale skin. “It’s nice to finally get to meet the Prince of the North,” I said.
Since he was the son of the former Delhoon Queen, Kyria, I wondered if my mother would be angry at us becoming friends? It’s not as if he could change who birthed him or would even want to. I’d never met Kyria but for my mother to hate her as much as she did, and Mother was one of the kindest people I knew, Kyria must have done something terrible. One day I’d find out. Father didn’t like her either but his hatred didn’t seem to run as deep, or he allowed the years to take the sting away.
Aric smiled. “Yes, I was jealous of Zyacus when he got to see you over the years. He always talked about how pretty and fun you are.”
Blown away, I blinked a few times. “He said what?”
Aric chuckled. “I saw your little squabble with him. My cousin likes banter, it’s not just you. Though given his status as heir to the throne of Hesstia, most don’t dare speak to him other than pretty words and compliments.”
I glanced across the room at Zyacus, who I caught staring at me. He looked away quickly and I turned back to Aric. “Well I reserve compliments for people who deserve them.” I also knew for sure that his threatening manner when I mentioned Aric’s real father wasn’t playful banter. It was probably best I didn’t bring it up to Aric either, he may not know there was even a chance that Ekarius, one of the King of the North’s sons, might not be his father. Ekarius was the brother of the Queen of Hesstia, Zyacus’s mother. All three of our kingdoms had become peculiarly intertwined.
Putting his hands in the pockets of his pants, Aric shrugged. “Zyacus is not for everyone.” He chuckled. “Anyway, what are the rumors you’ve heard about our parents? Sometimes I think my mother is lying. I love her but everything she says doesn’t quite add up.”
“Rumors?” That the man you think is your father, isn’t your real father. “I don’t know about rumors but does your mother hate mine as much as mine hates yours?”
I watched him carefully, waiting for his reaction. It was always good to know what went on with other kingdoms.
He laughed which surprised me. He could have easily gotten offended. Zyacus probably would. “I think loathe is a better word. But does the relationship between our parents affect us?”
“Does it need to?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No. This academy is supposed to mend the old bad blood, right?”
A loud whistle abruptly ended the chatter in the room and I looked to a female professor standing on a table. “Meet and greet is over. It’s our time for lunch in the dining hall. Please reconvene with your kingdom and line up at the door.”
Aric stuck out his hand. “It was great to meet you. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other quite often.”
I stared at it. If I touched him and saw his death—I just couldn’t do it. With his sleeve slightly pulled up, I noticed a brown mark on the underside of his wrist. About the size of a gold coin, and if I wasn’t mistaken, it was in the shape of a human skull. “Is that a birthmark?” I asked. Distraction always worked.
His gaze fell to the mark and he immediately put his hand behind his back. “Yeah,” he mumbled and cleared his throat. “See you around.” He darted off without so much as looking at me, and disappeared into his group.
That was odd.
Taz put an arm across my shoulders. “I’m starving. Let’s go.”
∞∞∞
Turkey legs, warm rolls, fresh butter, seasoned potatoes, and an array of desserts filled the tables. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I smelled the rich aroma of all the delicious food. I loaded my plate and stuffed a piece of a roll into my mouth when Legacy nudged my arm. “So, Prince Aric…”