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Yesterday, headmaster Wren had told us that we’d all passed and would get our graduation present after breakfast. He’d then told us to have fun for the rest of the day because after getting our present, we would be transported home soon after. We spent yesterday with my family, having fun and playing games. It had been one of the best days here at the academy. We saw Nym and Jamie just a few times a year, so it felt good that we had these two years of company. I would miss not seeing them at breakfast each day, but we could always visit more often, especially since Ryn and Damon could fly us there. We no longer had to schedule it with my fathers or Nym to fly.

Arthur and I got dressed hurriedly, beaming with excitement as we said goodbye to our first room together. It felt bittersweet, leaving this wonderful place behind. If it hadn’t been for Niels and his asshole ways, the whole experience would’ve been perfect. Well, I did still wish that Arthur and I had found each other sooner, but that was simply how our destiny was supposed to unfold, and we now had the rest of our life to look forward to.

The others were already sitting and eating when we showed up. The entire dining hall had the most amazing atmosphere. Students laughed, chatted, smiled, and were just so damn happy. Some were also crying, as they had to say goodbye to their new friends, but overall, it was positive.

“I can’t wait to show off my sexy mate,” Ryn declared, his arm slung over Damon's shoulder as he pecked his cheek noisily.

“Me neither,” Nym grinned, holding Harpy possessively on his lap.

“Do you think they have a huge thing planned?” I asked, sort of fearing what we would return to.

Myve scoffed. “You really think they want to share your company with others after two years? You’ll return home and get love bombed for days, no visitors.”

“Wanna bet?” Jamie asked, grinning.

“You think they planned something?” I asked Jamie.

He nodded. “I don’t think they’d be able to stop themselves.”

We laughed at that. Our family was chaotic when it came to celebrations. Most of our fathers had been commoners before becoming royalty, so they took great pride in feeding lots of people and having fun with friends and family.

“I have no idea what they’ve planned, I just want to hug everyone,” Ryn said.

We chatted as we ate, talking about the future and what we each wanted in life. Being royals wasn’t a sure thing that set us up for life. When our ruling fathers died, we could risk The Magic picking out another ruler than any of us, taking our titles and everything away from us. That was simply how it worked in our world. Normally, The Magic picked the rulers’ descendants, but we knew it wasn’t a guarantee. It was better to live life knowing we could one day need to work for a living, for real, and our fathers reminded us of that often.

Suddenly, my light flashed and directed me out of the dining hall.

“It’s happening!” Arthur squealed, taking my hand in his. The rest of our breakfast was forgotten as we followed the other students outside into the courtyard.

Headmaster Wren stood on his balcony again, just like when we arrived and when he’d announced our room change. He was beaming down at us, waving both hands excitedly. “Welcome students!”

We cheered, the happiness around me was so high I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear with pure excitement.

“The Magic will now grant you your soul forms!”

Heaviness took hold of my legs, like I was standing waist deep in sand, then the air swirled around us. I felt my inner core warm up and looking down, I found myself glowing from within. The heaviness then disappeared, as did the glow and warmth.

“Go out and play with your new forms and say your goodbyes! In one hour, you’ll return here and be transported home. Have fun!”

We all hurried through the academy, excited about what forms we’d been given. Once we were on the field safely outside, Arthur and I grinned at one another, then paused as we looked around and saw students disappearing around us.

“Do you think they got sent home?” I asked, suddenly worried.

Nym then appeared out of fucking nowhere next to me. “You really couldn’t see me?”

Arthur and I, who’d been scared shitless because of Nym, both held a hand over our hearts as we let the panic lessen. “No?”

He frowned. “Look at me shift.”

He disappeared.

Then reappeared. “You couldn’t see my new bird form?”

“No, your form is a bird?” I asked, excited on his behalf.

“I think all of our forms are a bird one,” Jamie said, startling us. What was it with this whole sneaking up on us thing?!

“No, I have a pegasus form,” Casey declared smugly.