Page 1 of A Royal’s Soul (Soul Match #3)

“Focus,” Heidi snapped.

I grumbled, irritated and held back the urge to snap back.

Heidi laughed. “You’ve been spending too much time around vampires—you’re practically growling. I thought you were sunshine, and she was dark and brooding?”

“You’re a terrible teacher,” Ana said.

The blazer of the servant uniform had been exchanged for large puffy jackets—identical in every way besides the crest of the House that you served on the right breast—for autumn and winter. Ana’s jacket was too big, and she looked comically small as she barked back at Heidi on my behalf.

“Excuse me?” Heidi’s hand flew to her chest in mock shock. “I’m the poor teacher? What witch do you know that can’t harness and store their power? What age were you when you mastered that basic magic?”

“Hey!” I raised my voice. “I might not be the fastest learner—"

“It’s not your fault, Percy,” Ana interrupted and smiled apologetically before turning back to Heidi. “Neither of us is a Flores witch. We don’t understand their power. Maybe Flores magic doesn’t use concentration; maybe they simply feel it?” Ana turned her attention back to me. “In Syngeneia, we feel the flow of magic, almost like blood. But you use your magic through your voice and hands. Let’s try something.”

She took her hands out of her coat pockets and removed her gloves. It was cold now and getting colder every day. Autumn was giving way to winter, with only a couple of weeks left of the term; exams were just around the corner. Heidi and Ana had been trying to help me gather and store my magic. If I had access to a larger source, I would be capable of accomplishing greater tasks— like bringing a whole field to harvest rather than just a few plants at a time. I had been practising improving my skills for nearly two months, and while I had seen significant improvement in my stamina, I had yet to master the ability to store my power. I hadn’t been able to store any of my power at all, despite my and my friends’ efforts. I was beginning to feel like a failure, even for a half-witch.

I nodded. “I’ll give anything a try. I don’t know why this is so hard for me,” I complained, ashamed of my lack of skill. All I knew about my magic was intuitive and came from my mother’s books. Selene had sent for them, and I had read over each twice since the summer term, but there was nothing within their pages about harnessing and storing magic.

“I still think we should ask Mable,” Heidi huffed. “She’s Flores.”

“Mable is an enchanter, and Selene said no,” I reminded her. But Mable was originally of Flores before leaving her birth coven to join the Enchanters Guild, and I was annoyed that Selene refused to even allow me to ask Mable if she would be willing to help me.

“Your mistress says no to everything,” she replied, sounding annoyed. “She should trust my judgment by now.”

“She cares about me, that’s all. And you know she trusts you,” I defended.

I knew Selene was protective of me. She had been almost unbearable since summer—mainly due to my abduction, imprisonment, and being hunted by the Vouna guard. Now, I could go nowhere alone. Even in classes, a royal guard would stand silently in the corner of the room, their gaze never leaving me. Only when with Heidi did Selene relent on her new rule of my being constantly guarded whenever I set foot outside the Royal residence of Sanguis Academy. Heidi had made a big fuss about her privacy being invaded, and when Selene informed her she didn’t have to socialise with me, Heidi changed tactics, assuring her that she was capable of defending me.

Still, I was aware of the Academy guard watching us intently near the entrance of the Noble Student Residence Halls. He had rarely looked anywhere other than in our direction. It wouldn’t have been odd or off-putting if it hadn’t been for Selene’s suspicions regarding how Valen and his men had made it onto Academy grounds during the night of the Summer Ball. She believed that he must have been assisted by the Academy guard that night. Previously, her security on campus had been a coordinated effort between her Royal Guard and the Academy Guard, but since my abduction in the summer, the working relationship had fallen apart. The Academy Guard seemed scared to even look in Selene’s direction when I was with her, but occasionally, I would catch them watching me. I would remind myself to stop being paranoid, but sometimes I couldn’t help it.

“She guards her interests,” Ana whispered, but loudly enough to hear. I looked at her, and she shook her head apologetically. “Here, Percy, give me your hands,” she said, holding her hands out to me. My fingers were almost numb from being out in the cold, standing in the middle of the Noble Student Residence Halls’ entrance garden. Ana’s warm hands were soothing. “You’re cold,” she said, squeezing my hands tightly.

“I know,” I replied as a shiver ran down my spine.

“Okay,” she said, glancing around.

She took one of my hands and, keeping a tight hold, placed our joined hands gently against the branch of a small azalea bush. The leaves were drained of colour by autumn and almost brittle to the touch.

“Now, I’m going to focus on feeling the flow of your magic through your hand.” I nodded. “Do your thing, flower girl,” she said, smiling mischievously at me.

I gave her a half-smile. The name ‘flower girl’ had become a bit of a joke between us since I told her about Remy. It was challenging to think of him. Selene had been unable to locate him, or confirm whether he was dead or alive. But the name he had given to Flores witches had stuck.

My magic flowed intentionally—well, as intentionally as breathing. I made it happen, yet I didn’t at the same time. It was such a natural part of me. I willed it—mostly—and that was intentional, but it also just happened sometimes without my conscious thought. I wasn’t sure if that was normal for other witches or half-witches.

The bush seemed to flow like a wave, pink—almost purple—returning to plump leaves. The branches grew stronger, the plant no longer prepared for a harsh winter. It would be a harsh winter this year. The weather was already frigid, especially for inland. My magic stopped as soon as I felt the bush in full bloom.

“Did it work?” I asked Ana. Ana smiled and nodded.

“I could feel it—your magic. It seems to flow a little like mine. Your heart rate sped up fractionally. You wouldn’t have noticed. Let’s try again—once I feel your heart rate increase, I’ll hold it there and pull your hand away from the plant. Focus on what you feel in your hands. Is it a pressure? Something building? Can you hold it there? If you need to stop, just pull your hands away or say something,” Ana explained. We walked a few steps to the next azalea bush.

I touched the plant and much like taking a breath, my magic flowed. Ana pulled our joined hands away before my magic could make contact. It was an odd feeling—a warm, then hot, sensation starting at my fingertips, like a slight burn, and soon encompassing my whole hand. It was painful, in a way, but not unbearable.

“I think it’s actually working,” Heidi said, surprise in her voice. She obviously didn’t think I was capable.

“Concentrate on the feeling, Percy,” Ana said, drawing my focus back to my magic. I closed my eyes and focused.

“Can I help you—” Heidi said, in the tone she only used when speaking to those who had offended her.

Suddenly, Ana’s hand was no longer in mine—it was ripped loose—and a firm grip on my right shoulder threw me back.

“What the fuck!” Heidi roared.

I lost my balance, my eyes flew open, and I saw the Academy guard from the entrance of the Noble Student Residence Halls standing over Ana menacingly as I fell backwards. I reached my hands out to the side to catch myself, forgetting all about my attempts to store my magic. The instant my palms met the earth, it felt like lightning had shot out from me. A ripple—a surge—like the angry sea, shook the ground.

It was near-instantaneous. All plant life within thirty feet of me withered and died— too fast, too suddenly. The browning lawn was black, like a fire had consumed it. But it was not fire. It was my magic. I could feel it travelling below the surface—deep—killing the very roots. It was cold. A stranger to me. Yet undeniably part of me.

“Percy!” Heidi called. I turned from the destruction I had created, only to be walloped by the dead weight of the guard falling across my hips.

“Ahh!” I cried out. Was he dead?

“What have you done?” Heidi shouted.

“Nothing!” I answered. But the destruction—the carnage—was around us, radiating from me in a circle of death.

“He’ll be fine,” Ana answered, also in unison with me, and I realised Heidi had been speaking of the unconscious guard, who was breathing heavily and trapping me in place. “He was about to pull his gun on Percy,” Ana continued in her defence.

“I know. Damn, you blood witches are a scary brood,” Heidi laughed.

“Could someone maybe help me?” I asked, struggling under the guard and trying to roll myself out from under him.

“Yeah, sorry, Percy. I didn’t think about how he would fall,” Ana said as she grabbed his limp arm and groaned while attempting to roll him off me.

“Here,” Heidi said, leaning over and grabbing his shoulder.

“You’re actually helping?” Ana asked, a little snarkily.

They were friends—sort of. Friends by circumstance, I suppose. Ana didn’t like Heidi much, but I could understand. Heidi was certainly a classist—a believer in pureblood superiority. Still, she seemed to have a soft spot for Ana and me—the only other witches at Sanguis Academy. The lack of other fellow witches undoubtedly helped endear us both to Heidi. Half-witches were still witches, and as much as Heidi believed in and benefited from the House system, witches were above vampires and shifters in her books. For the most part. Her relationship with Selene seemed far more genuine—two equals with enough in common to enjoy each others company. I sometimes felt a little like a project to Heidi—her little half-witch sort-of-friend that she would help be a better witch. But I guess that was working in my favour with our lessons.

“Do you not need help?” Heidi asked, impatiently.

“Please, can you guys bicker after you get this heavy lump off me?” I cried, exasperated. He was heavy, and his landing had been painful, and my temples pulsed with a new headache.

They didn’t reply. Instead, they heaved in unison until I could wriggle and twist my way out.

“Are you okay?” Ana asked as I knelt on the ground, my fingers digging into the earth.

“Yeah,” I breathed heavily. “He was heavy, and I feel sick,” I said as a wave of nausea hit me, coldness dripping down the back of my neck and spine, twisting my stomach.

“What now?” Heidi exclaimed, exasperated. I turned to look in the direction she was facing as she spoke and saw a group of Academy guards running towards us, weapons drawn.

Ana raised her hands.

“We aren’t a threat,” she called.

There was no answer apart from the sound of them drawing swiftly closer, shouting commands to each other to take aim.

Heidi stepped forward, and the air around her seemed to fizzle. Half the men stopped in their approach, confusion on their faces, their blind eyes looking around wildly. The power that exuded from Heidi was not the playful, mischievous type that was typical of her. It was menacing, like lightning before the roar of thunder.

“STOP YOUR ATTACK AT ONCE!” one of the guards yelled.

“YOU FIRST!” Heidi answered. “Ana, is your gift confined to touch?” she asked calmly.

“No,” Ana answered, her back straightening, shoulders squaring.

“I knew you were hiding that Syngeneia strength,” Heidi said in a rare compliment.

“Percy, stay behind us,” Ana commanded as I struggled onto my wobbly legs, my vision blurred at the edges, still nauseous from using my own magic. What was happening? Why was the Academy Guard attacking us?

“I’M WARNING YOU!” Ana called, her voice cold and assured, but I could hear the slight quiver at the end. I saw the nervous way her hands flexed at her sides.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

There was no answer. A gun was fired—the sound loud—and I was back at the river’s edge, running for my life, heart pounding, a fog of panic descending over me.

Ana screamed, but not in pain—it was high-pitched, something that sounded unnatural and hurt my ears. My chest felt tight. Two guards collapsed, falling forward to their knees. Another stumbled back, hand to his chest, before falling.

“Ma’am!” a voice called to me, and I turned as one of Selene’s Royal Guards ran towards me, his weapon raised and aimed.

“Are you all there is?” Heidi asked, her voice strained, jaw tensing with effort as she kept half the guards blind and lost.

“OPEN FIRE!” one of the Academy guards shouted.

“ENOUGH!” came a roar. I clutched at my tightening chest, and the Academy guards stood down.

The royal guard reached me and took hold of my wrist, pulling me behind him. I clutched at the back of his Borealis-blue uniform, the thick fabric scrunched in one hand for support, my other hand gripping my chest as I struggled to fill my lungs. Fear consumed me—I felt like I was on water, swaying.

“I radioed for backup. Don’t worry—I will keep you safe,” he told me. I looked at him. He seemed young, a new face I was unfamiliar with. It was a distraction in the chaos that I clung to, desperate to feel like I was on solid land. I wondered when he had joined Selene’s personal guard. How did someone even go about becoming part of the Princess’s personal guard? His eyes were focused ahead, watching the Academy guards—his gun raised, ready to fire.

I saw it then, the blood. The Academy guard that had clutched at his chest. A pool of red stained the dead grass where he lay on his back, unmoving.

“What is happening?” I asked, confused and scared. How had we gone from practising the harnessing and storage of my magic to being under attack by the Academy? Selene—where was she? Was she safe?

“We need a medical team—now,” the woman, the owner of the voice who had commanded the Academy guards, instructed. “Miss Coactus, please release your hold on the Academy guard,” she continued.

“With all due respect, President Minerva—no,” Heidi answered.

The older woman, with long grey hair tied back in a bun, was the Sanguis Academy President. I had yet to meet her personally, but I recognised her from her portraits and photographs displayed around the school buildings.

“Miss Coactus, please do not escalate the situation further.”

“Me? Escalate? We have been attacked unprovoked! How dare you! The nerve—when my grandmother hears of this, you best pray to whatever gods you follow that they can protect you from her wrath,” Heidi warned. I had never witnessed her so angry before. A vein visibly pulsed at her temple.

“I believe it is my wrath that should be feared,” Selene said loudly as she crossed the lawn towards us.

I sagged in relief at the sight of her. She was safe. For a horrible moment, I had worried that some sort of simultaneous attack was taking place—that at the same time as we found ourselves in danger, so did she. My lungs filled; I hadn’t even noticed how shallow my breaths had become.

“My Royal Highness and Marchioness of Ardens, a delicate situation has arisen, and I believe it is in everyone's best interests that we proceed with caution and in good faith. As such, I suggest that all parties stand down and disarm,” President Minerva said.

Selene locked eyes with me briefly, her gaze travelling down my body.

“My Pet has been injured. Who is responsible?” Selene demanded.

“The big oaf, unconscious over there.” Heidi pointed towards the guard who had thrown me to the ground and had subsequently landed on me when Ana struck him unconscious.

“Thank you,” Selene answered, giving a slight nod.

The sound of the Royal Guard that I continued to cling to, discharging his gun into the head of the unconscious Academy guard, ricocheted through me. The shock rattled my bones. The smell was both sweet and acrid like burning plastic. The guard's body jolted once, then stilled, his chest no longer rising and falling.

I stared at the body. For a moment, there was silence—at least for me. Everything seemed very still. When I looked away from the guard and back to Selene, her lips moved as she spoke, but I couldn’t make sense of her words.

Movement in my peripheral vision captured my attention, and I saw the Royal Guard—all twelve members of Selene’s personal guard had surrounded me, Ana, and Heidi.

‘Percy, are you all right?’ Heidi’s voice shocked me out of the silence.

‘I’m here,’ I replied—which wasn’t an answer. Heidi seemed happy with my response regardless. I felt the relief she felt through the link of her magic.

‘Pay attention. We are to be placed under temporary arrest—‘ she began.

‘Arrested for what?’ I interrupted, panicked.

‘Apparently, it looked like we were practising inter-coven magic,’ she explained.

‘That’s ridiculous!’ I replied. I knew what inter-coven magic was. It was highly advanced magic and had been banned—outlawed—for centuries, a taboo even among non-witch communities. But there were stories, histories, or myths—I don’t think anyone really knew any more—about the possibilities that inter-coven magic was capable of.

‘So you know what inter-coven magic is. At least it saves some explanation,’ she continued. I groaned internally.

‘I might not have grown up within a House or Coven, but I don’t think there’s a person alive in the kingdom that doesn’t know the legends of inter-coven magic,’ I replied. Heidi always seemed surprised when I knew anything at all, and it had never ceased to be insulting.

‘Do you know the penalty for witches convicted of such a crime?’ she asked. I didn’t. She must have felt my uncertainty because she continued, ‘Execution—by burning.’

‘Burning?’

‘The only way to ensure a witch convicted of inter-coven magic stays dead,’ Heidi answered.

‘Stays dead?’ I asked, but I felt the connection end as my attention was drawn to Selene.

“Pet,” she called. “What happened here?” Her jaw was tense, but her eyes softened when she turned away from President Minerva and looked at me.

“I was practising harnessing my magic under Heidi and Ana’s instructions. Then… then…” I looked at the dead guard only a couple of steps away from me, distracted. He had started all this, and now he was dead. “Why couldn’t he have just asked us what we were doing?” I asked, frustrated and angry. “Why did he have to, to…”

I stopped myself from speaking further, an awful mixture of anger and guilt swirling within me. Was this another death on my conscience? How many had died now because of me? Evie, Desdemona, Remy, the driver, this unnamed guard? Five? Was it only five?

A hand gripped my jaw firmly and tilted my gaze up and away from the body of the Academy guard.

“Enough of that,” Selene commanded, her voice low and soft. “His death is his own doing,” she told me, as if reading my mind.

I nodded my assent, calmed by her touch.

“My Royal Highness, the matter at hand must be addressed,” President Minerva said.

Selene did not look away from me or release my jaw from her grip as she replied. Her attention seemed fully on me, as if President Minerva and the rest of the situation were nothing more than a nuisance.

“The matter is settled. Your guard was brash, quick to action without thought or scrutiny, heavy-handed with my love, and very well might have caused serious tensions between the Academy, his House and every coven of the land. He has paid the price. Sanguis Academy, under your care, has failed to provide the level of protection expected of an institution entrusted with my kingdom's future leaders.” Selene’s answer was as sharp as her tone. Yet her eyes softened momentarily as she squeezed my jaw slightly before releasing me and turning her attention back to the others.

“The matter is hardly settled for me. I was assured that Sanguis Academy was safe for witches,” Heidi added. “My grandmother will be informed of today's events.”

“The matter is not settled. The accusation of inter-coven magic must be adequately investigated. Your personal favour cannot sweep this away,” President Minerva replied, and I wasn’t sure if she was addressing Selene or Heidi.

“On what basis do you accuse me of such a crime?” Heidi asked, her stance squared, her voice strained. She still wielded her power over half the Academy guard. I noticed that Ana had already released her hold. Perhaps her magic only worked for as long as she held her scream? I did not know, and I knew it would be impolite to ask if Ana did not offer the information freely herself.

“Lady Coactus, you do not stand accused and are free to leave.” President Minerva turned her gaze to me and then to Ana. “Percy Flores and Ana Syngeneia, you will be placed under arrest until the investigation of the charge of inter-coven magic has been completed,” President Minerva declared.

The growl that left Selene was loud and fierce. I jumped with fright as a hand landed on my shoulder. I looked up at Rylan's rugged face, noticing his beard was becoming unkempt. He had joked that he was growing it to keep his face warm in the coming winter when I had teased him earlier in the week.

“Any attempt to take my Pet from me will be accepted as a declaration of war—a war of which you will be the first casualty, President Minerva,” Selene hissed.

Threatening to kill the President of Sanguis Academy seemed like a very serious threat to me, but I didn’t doubt Selene’s sincerity. I sometimes worried over how far Selene would go to keep me safe. Usually, I feared that I’d end up locked in a room, not allowed to leave for my safety. Now I worried whether she’d really start a war over me.

No one else needed to die because of me.

The guards not under Heidi’s magic readied themselves, at which President Minerva raised her hand to settle them.

“There is evidence of inter-coven magic has taken place—evidence that we currently stand upon. You are well aware of the law,” President Minerva answered resolutely, her tone almost pleading.

I looked to the ground—the black, dead grass. A gust of wind blew, and the azalea bush that had once been bright and alive crumbled away, turning to dust in the air.

“This is not inter-coven magic,” Heidi said. “This is Flores magic. You and your Academy obviously know little of the magical capabilities of the kingdom’s covens. To mistake this,”—she waved her hand dismissively at the death I had brought—“as inter-coven magic is ludicrous.”

“I am unfamiliar with any coven possessing such power as to drain a life force,” President Minerva replied.

“Ridiculous,” Heidi snapped. “It’s plant life, for a start. Plant magic is the domain of Flores, yes? Do you know that much?” she continued patronisingly.

I watched President Minerva’s jaw tense. “I’ll take your silence as an answer in the affirmative and continue to educate you on the basics of magic and witch culture. While all within a coven share magic within a domain, not all share the same capabilities. Percy has a rare gift, but it is entirely of Flores.”

I had no knowledge of what other Flores witches were capable of besides my mother and stories from the books she left me. The stories within those books contained no mention of what I had done. Flores nurtured; we gave life—we did not take it. But Heidi was a pureblood, a noble of her House, and she knew much more than me about all things magic.

“We do not show our cards; that is not the witch's way. We keep our greatest strength hidden—none more so than Flores. When did you last meet a Flores witch practising magic within their innate domain? I would bet it many years ago, given your age—if at all. The only other Flores witch I’ve ever met practises enchantment magic, a skill any witch can learn. How dare you cast such an accusation at one as harmless as a Flores witch, who acted unintentionally when attacked—unprovoked and without warning—in the middle of working her magic. As for the blood witch, she was offering nothing more than moral support.” Heidi’s voice was straining more. Her magic might have been endless, but her stamina was not—she was getting tired.

“I will have to inquire into the truth of your statements concerning Flores’ magic, Miss Coactus,” President Minerva replied.

“You do that,” Heidi shot back.

“In the meantime,” President Minerva returned her attention to Selene, “Percy of Flores and Ana of Syngeneia are suspended from classes until Miss Coactus’ claims can be verified. You will remain in your living quarters, and no unauthorised contact with other students outside of those with whom you room is permitted.”

“What? That’s not fair,” Ana protested.

“I fear it is overly lenient, Miss Syngeneia. Inter-coven magic is the greatest risk to the well-being of Sanguis Academy students,” President Minerva looked pointedly at Selene, “and the Borealis Kingdom. I must investigate any potential instance of inter-coven magic thoroughly.”

Selene growled low and threateningly. “Very well, conduct your pointless investigation,” she stated before turning to me and taking me by the wrist. Only then did I release my grip on the new guard’s tunic. “We will return home immediately,” she told me.

“What about Ana?” I asked as Selene dragged me past my friend. If not for her grip, I would have fallen. Would Ana be okay? Ana didn’t have an heir to the throne and head of a House to look out for her. I needed to make sure she would be okay.

“Ana will return to her room in the Servant Student Residence Halls,” Selene answered, without slowing her pace or looking at me.

“I’ll be fine, Percy,” Ana called to me as Selene shoved one of Heidi’s blind Academy guards out of the way with such force that he was lifted off his feet and flew a dozen feet through the air.

“I’ll take care of you, half-witch,” I heard Heidi say to Ana, and a little stone of worry left my stomach. Heidi wouldn’t abandon another witch, even a half-witch.