The Viden predicted when Blake's egg hatched, that his Dragonian would be from King Albert and Queen Catherine's bloodline.
“They died before producing an heir and with that, my brother's only chance at getting claimed.”
“Oh, Sammy, you can't say that,” Becky said, giving her a side hug as Sammy's eyes sparkled with tears.
She sighed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “The Viden has never been wrong, Becky,” she said in a soft, sad tone.
Trying to lighten the mood the conversation changed to the Viden. She was three hundred years-old, but her human body was still relatively young. The boys attending Dragonia Academy drooled over her. Sammy explained to me how vain she was and how the Viden had a fondness for only her famous fore-tellings, like Blake. He saw her at least twice a week.
When the clock chimed eleven, we called it a night.
I struggled to go to sleep even though I was so exhausted my cells hurt. I wasn’t sure if it was all the information my mind was trying to processor the new bed. I shivered, thinking of what the other side would do if they discovered that dragons were real. Humans had the tendency to destroy everything they didn't understand. They wouldn’t even consider a truce
I hoped Constance was right about the wall and that it would never lose its power, otherwise Paegeia could be in serious danger. I said a small prayer to keep us safe as I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Nine
The next day I had the pleasure of discovering just how much Becky loved her alarm clock. She hit the snooze button at least a million times until it fell off the nightstand and crashed to the floor.
Sammy jumped on Becky. “Wake up sleepy head, or else we're leaving without you!”
Becky growled, but reluctantly got out of bed. I laughed as she struggled to wake up even as we were leaving our room.
We found Master Longwei at the main entrance. He was busy unlocking the gate.
The gate I love and hate all at the same time.
“He really needs help with his fashion choices. Those ankle shorts are so last season. Not to mention his ancient Hawaiian shirt,” Becky said, critically as if she was the fifth member of Fashion Police.
“It's not so bad,” Sammy said.
Becky rolled her eyes. “Sammy, no offense, but if I didn't tell you what to wear every day, you'd be dressed like a circus clown.”
“My choices aren't that bad, I just love color.”
I smiled, feeling at home with these girls. Dad jumped into my mind again, and a lump rose in my throat as I thought about how many of their mannerisms aligned with his.
“Good morning girls.” Master Longwei greeted us as he swung the gate open. “How did your first day go, Elena?”
“I’m still alive.” I swallowed hard, trying to hide my fear. I looked around and found the sky and clouds where buildings and trees should've been.
“I heard about George. I’m deeply sorry about his behavior and I assure you it will never happen again.”
“No hassle.” I waved in the air, hoping to change the subject. “Why didn't you tell me you're a dragon?”
The expression on his face told me he hadn’t expected that question. “I should have known Becky would enlighten you as to what I am.”
“See it as a little payback. Do you have any idea how hard we had to work to keep Elena from running away?” Becky chirped.
We all laughed.
“Are you comfortable with having a dragon for a head master?” he asked hesitantly.
“It's okay. If it's not too personal, can I ask you another question? How old are you?”
He grinned. “I'm scared you'll run away screaming. But Elm with all the historic buildings and museums is a good place to stumble onto something like that.”
“Screaming my head off while running away is so yesterday's news,” I said, injecting more confidence into my voice than I felt.
He chuckled and watched me carefully as he spoke. “I will be celebrating my four thousand, three hundred, and sixteenth birthday next month.”
To my surprise, running for the hills didn't pop into my head. I guess the girls’ crash course had worked.
“That young?” A smile turned up the corners of my mouth.
My smile soon vanished as I remembered why he was unlocking the gate. My heart started to thump inside my throat and my knees trembled softly as the edge, just a couple of meters past the gate, caught my eye.
“Close your eyes, Elena,” he said.
I did as he told me and an image of him transforming into a dragon flashed into my mind.
My eyes flew open when my feet bumped against a small step.
“You are such a whuz,” Becky said, already in her seat.
I found myself standing on the step of a modern carriage with leather couches. A strong lemon aroma hung in the air around us.