Of Blood and Magic (The Threads That Bind Series Book 1) by J.A. Good & Veronica Perez & Rebecca Fazzio

Author:J.A. Good & Veronica Perez & Rebecca Fazzio [Good, J.A. & Perez, Veronica & Fazzio, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-04-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter seventeen

Arabella Marudas

Ara stared out the window and sighed, her stomach growling. The setting sun cast a haze of orange over the ancient stone buildings of the Calami campus. An orange that reminded Ara of strange eyes and secret conversations. She felt giddy and light at the thought, her chest tightening in response. She could not stop the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips or the heat of the blush across her cheek. In fact, she didn’t think she had stopped smiling since she left Cal yesterday morning. Roxie nudged her, giving her a questioning look, but she shook her head, keeping her thoughts to herself. She reached for Cal then, searching for that green thread that led her to him, another discovery of her newly awoken magic, but all she felt from the other side was bone-deep exhaustion and silence.

Night had begun to fall by the time Madame Cuorvo released them from class. Satisfied that they now knew the proper etiquette when it came to greeting the members of the Royal family, “Remember, ladies, ‘ze top ranking three will meet with the Imperial Witch to discuz placement and it is likely you will meet at least one member of the royal family. I will not have my name besmirched if you plouc forget my teachings.”

She tapped her cane on the stone floor, indicating the lesson had come to an end. The sound of chairs sliding across the floor and books being shoved into bags filled the room as everyone tried to get to the dining hall before dinner finished. All the students whispered with excitement about meeting the royal family, the prince especially.

Ariminta’s loud voice carried across the room. “Of course, I’ve met the prince many times. We played together as children. You know how my family is so close to the Imperial Witch and the Royal family. Me, Hazel and Temperance are sure to have the top three spots.”

The witches around her laughed and nodded, but Madame Cuorvo tapped her cane on the floor again. “Arrogance will be your downfall, Miss. Kingston. I would check the rankings again.”

Ara followed Roxie out of the classroom and took a deep breath. There was no need to rush off and check the rankings. She would find out soon enough what Madame Cuorvo had meant.

The sun now sank below the earth and lilac blanketed the sky; the first stars of the evening flared to life. The purple of the sky brought to mind the purple of Lily’s eyes and she saw Roxie was likely thinking of that as well when a small smile crossed her friend’s lips. It was her turn to elbow her and give her a knowing look.

“How badly do you want to run to the rankings to see where you are?” Roxie goaded her, knowing she was dying inside.

Ara rolled her eyes. “I think I can practice a bit of self-restraint and walk there. It’s on the way to dinner.”

They crossed into the courtyard where Ara first met Cal.

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