Demetrio returned with a stack of papers and a big smile, passing a portion to Emily and then Luna. She stifled a groan at the dreaded Latin grammar assessment and wondered if Demetrio took evil pleasure in creating the world’s longest exams.
She stared at the first question for an unreasonable amount of time, swirling her pen in her hand as she tried to focus. Grammar in a language she couldn’t speak seemed so very unimportant. By the time Luna had finished the exam, Emily was long gone. Demetrio gave her papers a quick glance, then without saying a word, took the pages and dumped them in the trash.
Wide-eyed, her face boiled with embarrassment as she stared at the discarded pile of papers. She knew she had done poorly, but notthatbad. She muttered an apology, promising to study harder, and fled from the room. The fabric of her skirt swished around as she ran out of the building.
Servants swarmed her before she could feel the warmth of the sun shining down on her skin. As if preparing to dive underwater, she inhaled deeply as the servants’ umbrellas created a canopy overhead, their beautiful colours a mockery of the sun’s attempt to reach her face. Clyde and another unknown guard, as well as the servants, escorted her about the grounds. She wandered aimlessly along the path that hugged the side of the academic building. Lost in her thoughts, she crossed the small wooden bridge inthe middle of the courtyard, feeling disconnected from the cheerful scene unfolding in the gazebo, where her sister and the other ladies were enjoying tea.
They sat around an elegantly decorated table, featuring an array of meticulously arranged fresh flowers on a silky white runner. Dainty teacups, plates, and utensils were in front of each lady, and there was an empty spot at the head of the table honouring the late queen. Servants stood in line around the gazebo, ready to assist.
Luna couldn’t have felt more out of place if she tried.
She took a seat next to her sister, while her guards and the umbrella-wielding servants dutifully waited to ‘protect’ her from the sun should she choose to leave.
“Luna, you’re finally here!”
Quickly, Luna gave her thanks to the girl who served her tea and then turned to the person who’d shouted. Cecil was not only one of Emily’s closest friends but also her enemy, and for whatever reason, Cecil liked to pretend she was also friends with Luna. Her striking presence, auburn hair, and piercing blue eyes captivated almost all of those around her—except Luna. Her family was known for their sharp mind and talent for navigating the court, too, so Cecil could pretty much do no wrong.
Sliding down the bench, Cecil leaned into Luna. “A little birdie mentioned you were with the unicorn yesterday. Do tell us all about it.” Her mischievous whisper, if you could call it a whisper, broke the chitchat of the other ladies.
Luna quickly looked around to see if any cats had died from all the curiosity looming in the air. She glanced at Emily, who not-so-innocently shrugged her shoulders, and Luna let out a heavy sigh before telling the ladies about her encounter with the intruder. She left out the details about the note on her windowsill, and the words the intruder had spoken, believing it prudent.
After she recounted her tale, Cecil spoke next. With her nose wrinkling and her gaze falling on Clyde, she asked, “Is that the guard who got knocked out?”
Luna nodded; the disgust in Cecil’s voice caught her off guard. Did she think of Clyde as lesser, unable to do his job, for getting knocked out?
Before Luna could defend him, Venita chimed in, “If I’d been attacked by a unicorn, I’d be hiding under my bed for a week.” Venita was the closest thing Luna had to a childhood friend. Despite King Hendrix’s rules, often limiting Luna’s participation in various activities, Venita always made an effort to include her, something Luna appreciated.
“I’d join you there, Venita,” one of the older ladies said. “I’ve heard it takes an army to take down a single unic—”
Emily clapped her hands together, drawing in the other ladies’ attention. “What I want to know is”—she paused for dramatic effect—“why the unicorn vanished and how?”
Luna had been wondering the same thing. As far as she knew, he disappeared of his own accord. Which begged the question, why had he come in the first place?
“Luna probably scared him off,” Cecil blurted out, laughing. “He probably thought she was a ghost!”
Luna looked down at her hands, her cheeks warming. Being sheltered from the sun’s rays left her complexion pale, borderline sickly.
The ladies at the table began giggling, barely trying to hide their smiles behind their gloved hands. Emily was the only one not laughing. In fact, she was practically scowling at Cecil—which was odd, considering Luna had heard her make a similar joke not too long ago.
Venita’s voice rose above the giggles. “I’m willing to bet that when Luna wasn’t looking, Clyde confronted the intruder before he was knocked out. It’s likely that the unicorn was forced to retreat.”
Thank the high skies above for Venita. The tension in Luna’s shoulders relaxed and she gave Venita an appreciative smile, knowing this was her friend’s attempt to divert the conversation. Emily might love attention, but Luna was the opposite—especially when the topics being discussed involved her illness or her restrictions.
“Do you think he’ll be back?” one of the other ladies nervously asked.
“Maybe . . .” Luna tried to answer honestly, “It’s odd he was able to get through the protection barrier around Grythorn in the first place.”
“Their kind is the lowest of the low,” Venita replied, wringing her hands together. “I’m glad the king is holding another protection ceremony. I’ll sleep better once it’s completed.”
With her finger raised towards the sky, Emily made an announcement, “Speaking of, Luna is attending this one!”
A chorus of excited voices erupted around the table.
“Oh, Luna! How exciting!”
“Your first time is so memorable.”
“You’re going to love the food—”
