Princess Takes Academy by Joely Sue Burkhart

Author:Joely Sue Burkhart [Burkhart, Joely Sue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joely Sue Burkhart
Published: 2019-10-09T05:00:00+00:00

10

Xochitl

I stared at my parents, unable to comprehend what they’d just told me. The words didn’t make sense.

“What do you mean? He’s gone? Like hunting outside the nest?”

Mama patted my knee and shot a worried look at Papa. “No, sweetheart. He’s gone to the Academy of Blood.” She smiled and deliberately lightened her voice to a cheerful tone that made me grind my teeth with fury. “He’ll learn so much there! All kinds of hand-to-hand combat and swordplay, battle techniques, plus all the political ties among the largest and most powerful houses. Carys even said they’ll teach the students court etiquette.”

If Carys was involved, then so was Auntie Shara. Betrayal and rage burned hotter inside me, two snarling, rabid beasts. If he was already gone…

Then Auntie Shara had taken him through the tree.

She’d taken my Blood from me.

I scrambled out of bed, wrestling free of blankets that tried to slow me down. My trembling legs wouldn’t hold me at first. Panting, I fell into a pile of pillows and stuffed animals. Pushed back up. Staggered. Swayed. My eyes throbbed and black spots floated in my vision. I didn’t know if it was the damage to my eyes, or just that I was lightheaded. I didn’t care.

I had to get to the tree. I had to get to Keras.

I didn’t think I could manage the stairs right now. Not with my legs acting so funny. So I stumbled to the window.

“Xochitl, no!” Mama yelled. I heard Papa’s claws scratching the floor as he raced to me.

I threw myself out the window. My fingers brushed the rough bark. Leaves and limbs slapped my face and torso. I tumbled down through branches, scraping and scratching my skin, ripping my nightgown.

I was falling. The heart tree wasn’t going to catch me. Time seemed to stop, and I had an eternity to wonder how many bones I’d break when I hit the ground. If I’d hit my head and crack my skull open.

This was just another example of me being thoughtless and reckless. Risking my life for no apparent reason. Leaving behind my parents and everyone who depended on me to become the next Zaniyah queen.

None of it mattered if I didn’t have Keras.

I jolted to a halt with a painful yank on my scalp. My body swung around to slam against the tree trunk, scraping my cheek. But I stopped. I didn’t hit the ground. I laughed brokenly, tears running down my cheeks.

The heart tree had caught me after all.

“Keras!” I didn’t know how long ago they’d taken him, but maybe he could hear me. Wincing, I reached up and tugged my hair free. It felt like I left half the hair on my head behind, but I finally slid free and landed on my feet before the dark hole in the trunk.

I stumbled inside. Take me to Keras. Wherever he is.

I ran into something hard and unforgiving. It felt like wood. I ran my hands around inside the circular innards of the tree. It was only a large, hollow trunk.

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