Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Liora’s POV

I barely got two hours of rest before I was back on my feet. I subconsciously held my breath as I walked into Velaryth Sanctum, the school for the most elite faes in Mythgaard.

Yes, I go to school. Unfortunately.

Every fae had to attend school until their twenty fourth birthday.

I had skipped the last few days, so I knew my ears were about to be talked out. Not like it was anything new for me.

Mother had no idea I had been skipping, especially since I was mostly out all day, and most of the time, she was not even around. Well, that was until someone decided to tell on me. Again. So, now, instead of me hugging my pillows in deep sleep, I was running on barely two hours of shut eye, as I basically dragged my feet along the silent, long halls.

Velaryth Sanctum was the place I hated the most in Mythgaard, and probably the place that hated me most as well. It was mostly filled with spoiled kids, who had nothing better to do than look down on other people.

I was late. Very late. I usually had four to five classes, depending on the day. My third class of the day was probably halfway through. Drakyn Lore.

I swallowed as I stopped at the back door that led to the class.

A frustrated groan sat at the base of my throat.

Okay, Liora, you’ve got this. Just two more years and you’re done.

I pushed the door open as gently as I could, an expected failed attempt at avoiding attention. An awkward smile laced my lips as I entered the class and closed the door softly.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, was staring at me.

“How nice of you to finally join us, Miss Altharos. We're so pleased to be graced by your presence,” Mrs. Thornhill said, her tone very clearly laced with undiluted sarcasm.

Mrs Thornhill taught Drakyn Lore, and simply put, she really was a hill filled with thorns.

“Apologies, ma’am. I had official duties” I said, with a fake smile. It was my usual excuse.

As expected, she was not surprised. She rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Right, Princess. Take a seat, will you?” She said, purposely biting on the ‘Princess’.

I kept the smile on, as I looked around the room, with every eye still on me.

I blissfully ignored them and finally found an empty seat.

Fortunately, I found it on time, which limits the awkwardness. Unfortunately, I had to sit beside the one person I was avoiding the most, and I did not realize it until it was too late.

Henrik Velmont.

My very own version of hell.

“Well hello there, my favorite fae,” he said, almost as soon as I sat down.

I ignored him. I refused to give him the attention he wanted, as I pulled out my note and ink-quill from my satchel.

Mrs Thornhill continued to talk, explaining something about drakyn fire.

“I’m talking to you, Altharos. Don't tell me you are suddenly deaf” he said, as he tapped on my note.

Unfortunately for me, his attention was now fully on me, which was the exact opposite of what I wanted.

I twirled my ink-quill between my fingers, as I tried hard to focus on what Thornhill was going on about. It was basically impossible, of course, especially since my mind was fixated on the person beside me. So, I pretended instead.

“Are you ignoring me?” he asked, and of course, I continued to ignore him.

“Eliora” he called, and I gritted my teeth. He knew how much it pissed me off when he called me that.

It’s Liora, not Eliora, you freaking idiot.

He scoffed, “You can’t ignore me forever, you freak,”

A mocking chuckle followed suit.

“Velmont!” Mrs Thornhill suddenly called, turning everyone’s attention to our direction.

Thank Green. I bit my lip to control the smile that threatened to break loose.

“Do you mind telling the class what is so funny?” She demanded, and I bowed my head further, trying desperately not to laugh.

What I did not expect was that he would actually stand up to answer.

“I actually don’t mind” he said and my smile fell, as I looked up at him.

I just knew he was about to say something stupid. The way he looked at me with that mischievous grin, told me I was right.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they watched him.

Or was it just me?

“I was just thinking of how much of a fucking freak our dear princess is. What do you think guys? How funny do you think it’ll be if this freak actually becomes queen?” He said, and the class erupted in laughter.

Was I surprised? No. Did it hurt nonetheless? Yes.

As much as I hated to admit it, Henrik always managed to get to me.

I held my tongue back. It would only make things worse.

I looked at Mrs. Thornhill, hoping she would stop the madness, but she was way too busy holding herself back from laughing.

At that moment, everything slowed down. I watched as they all considered the thought and kept on laughing. I glanced at Henrik, with his victorious grin.

He probably felt like he won some battle.

Was it that funny to imagine me being the queen?

Why did they hate me so much?

“Are you just going to watch them tear you down like this?” Vyrmoth finally asked.

“It’s all of them against me, Vyrmoth. What am I supposed to do? It'll only make things worse,” I said.

He stirred. “Before we bonded, you told me you were not as weak as rumored. Strength is not only about the physical aspect, little one. It's about talking back when you need to, like you did with your mother. It’s about fighting back when you should, learning to stand up for yourself. I did not bond with you because you were dying, or because the Dravon kid begged me, I bonded with you because I believed in you. So, show me that I did not make the wrong decision”

I swallowed the lump that had settled in my throat. No one had ever told me they believed in me before. I did not expect to hear it from the same drakyn that has refused to bond with me since I was born.

I sucked in a large whiff of air, and assessed the situation again.

My chest filled with sudden anger and irritation.

They really thought it was that funny.

“I wonder if it’ll still be this funny when I announce my first decree,” I suddenly said, my voice somehow silencing them.

I twirled my ink-quill between my fingers, before raising my head to assess their reactions. They were quiet, waiting quietly for what I had to say.

“You see, I've been planning it for a long time. Curious, no?,” I leaned into the table, as a wicked smile graced my lips, like an actual psychopath. “Well, when this freak finally takes the throne, her first decree will be to have your heads. Every single one of you. On a platter of gold, of course. Just because I'm that rich.”

I made eye contact with each of them, right down to Thornhill, with the smile still stuck on my face.

I did not miss the shock and fear that ran across

their faces.

“Funny, no?”

Now, I was the only one laughing.