Lavinia shot up and smiled widely at Maeve.
“You’re denying yourself a good time, Sinclair.”
“Reading is to stimulate the mind-”
“Oh there is plenty of stimulation-”
Maeve turned back towards her, suppressing a smile.
“See,” said Lavinia. “You know you want to try.”
Maeve watched her for a moment. She thought about how Abraxas would never let her hear the end of it if she started reading Lavinia’s erotic novels. Spinel appeared from the shadows of the room and gave her a few chirp like meows. He stretched deeply with a wide mouth yawn.
“Goodnight,” said Maeve once more.
Lavinia shook her head and laid out across the chair once more. “Your loss.”
Spinel followed her up to her dormitory. Within minutes she was asleep, Spinel curled up beside her.
The next day the castle was buzzing with excitement for the return of The Dueling Club. Tonight was the first duel of the year. The duels always pulled a crowd. Maeve rarely attended. But maybe tonight was different.
There was no doubt Mal would best anyone that stepped up, as he had been undefeated since his first duel at school.
“Maeve?”
A faint voice brought her out of her thoughts and back into Healing Class, an elective she had postponed taking until now. To her left, Violet’s eyebrows were raised and she was waving a hand in her face. “Have you heard anything I’ve said?”
Maeve batted her hand away. “No. Sorry.”
The rest of the class was practicing their nonverbal spells, something Maeve had mastered last year.
Violet rolled her eyes. “I asked if you were going on the trip this weekend. Because rumor has it that Velvetina’s has some gorgeous new winter wear.”
“Oh,” said Maeve.
Maeve found it hard to want to do anything with Violet lately.
“I should probably study,” said Maeve.
Violet’s head flung backwards as she closed her eyes in frustration.
Maeve chuckled lightly.“Fine. I wouldn’t mind a pretty new coat.”
Violet exhaled and raised her hand to practice. “Thank you.”
Maeve watched a Draconem student struggled to produce a healing spell silently.
She could honestly use a day off just to have fun. Now that she was performing better in Alchemy, there was much less for her to stress over.
The only portal still available for students to use on designated weekends was the one to London, and the Headmasters had ensured them it was safe and guarded. Maeve much preferred the Magical shops in Paris, but London had a fine array too.
Last year, she and Abraxas managed to get banned from one shop in Paris. Something about “snobby British children.”
“I won’t be setting foot through that portal,” said Harriet Simms from behind them.
“Good thing no one asked you,” snapped Violet.
Harriet glowered at her, fixed her Serpentine badge as though it meant something, which it did, and returned to her work.
