Page 21 of Monster’s Consort (Blackthorn Academy for Supernaturals #18)

He’d been poked, prodded, and tested magically as well as medically.

Though when I’d asked what sort of medicinal tests they’d administered, he only pursed his lips and said he didn’t want to talk about it.

Whatever it was, it was clearly a sensitive matter.

It bothered me that he would not tell me, but I also knew enough to know that probably meant it was something to do with his “viability.”

We hadn’t discussed the inevitable truth. Though I was spelled against pregnancy for the time being, and I wasn’t certain Bane was chomping at the bit any more than I was to rush an heir, but soon enough, we would need to address more than just his confirmation as consort.

I had every hope that he would be confirmed. That the council overseeing our courtship would accept him and we could make our relationship official in the eyes of the kingdom.

Though despite being gone, it seemed Ferguson was more than obvious about keeping track of Bane and Desmond. I, however, was left to my own devices. I supposed it was because I was less of a nuisance than Bane. I was not the person who disobeyed or challenged authority.

My mother trusted me to do as was expected. Even in the short time we’d gotten to know each other, I’d been one hundred percent myself. There was no point in trying to be anyone else at this point in my life.

Which was precisely the reason, that when Headmistress Blackthorn arrived at the castle, requesting an audience with me the very next day after my mother and the O’Neil’s departure, I did as I was expected to, and received her.

“So good to see you, Violet,” she said, reaching to hug me. Though, the hug was not warm or friendly, and rather a formality. It felt odd to me that anyone would treat me any differently than they had.

Once the awkwardness of the hug had run its course, I offered for her to sit in one of the chairs in the study.

I’d been in my mother’s study countless times, as that was where she preferred my lessons with Ferguson be taught.

“I do hope you are enjoying your summer,” she said casually, crossing her legs.

I’d seen her come and go a few times over the course of my stay. Though I did not feel the need to pry. I might have been a princess, but I was also still a student, and there were things I just didn’t have access to no matter how badly I wanted to.

“It has been... eventful,” I said, twisting my lips. “I have met with a new student,” I tested the waters.

Headmistress Blackthorn grinned. “Ah, so you’ve met Desmond.”

“He is staying here until the semester starts.”

She folded her hands in her lap. “And how does Bane feel about that?”

It wasn’t the words as much as her insinuation behind them.

There was a bit of intrigue, a bit of interest that I knew went beyond the academic.

Bane told me he’d all but stormed into her office after discovering my note.

The one I’d left him when I decided to go forth and seize the opportunity to give me the answers I sought.

The opportunity that had transpired into my kidnapping.

“They are...” I twisted my lips. “Amicable, I suppose.”

I wouldn’t have gone so far as to call them friends , but they’d stowed their wings and bitterness after their initial meeting. Though it wasn’t like they were skipping down the hall from their courses together, Bane seemed to tolerate the Dark Fae Prince in small doses at the least.

“If you are looking for my mother, she is, um, not here at the moment.” I bit my lip, feeling a bit out of sorts. Even after everything that had happened, I still felt somewhat scrutinized under her gaze. She was the headmistress, after all.

“Actually, Violet, I am here to see you, ” she said coolly.

I rubbed my arms, feeling a chill all of a sudden. Despite it being so warm out, the halls and rooms of Castle Lir carried a haunting draft most of the time and I often found myself seeking out warmth to adjust for my sleeveless dresses.

I’d never been much of a girl for dresses, but a week after my arrival, I’d found a plethora of them in my closet.

Courtesy of my mother, no doubt. She’d filled all of our closets with refined clothing.

Even Wanda and Norman had seen the upgrade.

Though I wasn’t certain if it was because the closets were spelled or if she’d gone to the trouble of actually learning our sizes, but I digressed.

“Me?” I asked, eyebrows rising in alarm.

“Yes. I know the events of last summer were... quite sudden,” she said calmly.

I could not help but stare at her, my heart in my throat.

Sudden was certainly one way to put it.

“And I also know that you are awaiting the chance to complete your Ardaim. ”

Her words made me freeze.

I wasn’t certain when the chance would come, being as the last chance I’d had was months ago, and that itself was something that wasn’t a frequent sort of celestial alignment.

Though I’d have to go through it again—this time without interruption—in order to ascend the throne and substantiate my bond with my consort, I knew it would likely be a few months, if not a year until I could make that journey if I was lucky.

“Yes...” I said. “Are you worried this will affect my studies? Does this affect my?—”

Headmistress Blackthorn steepled her hands together as she fixed her gaze on me.

“Different realms experience different lunar cycles, you know,” she said coolly. “Such as this realm will not see another Blood Moon for a year.”

I frowned. “Oh.”

A year.

A whole year I’d have to wait to ascend. Even if Bane was confirmed as my consort, our bond would not be confirmed by the Kingdom until I had undergone my final transition.

Could I wait a whole year?

What if something happened to my mother?

What if I needed to ascend the throne?

The chances were slim, but not entirely impossible.

“But in say, the Tír fo Thuinn realm, the Blood Moon has not happened yet.”

I squinted at her. “ Tír fo Thuinn ?” The Land Under The Wave?”

“You paid attention in Laughlin’s class, I see,” she said with a grin. “Yes, Tír fo Thuinn will be celebrating their Blood Moon tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night?” I asked, my voice hitching several octaves. “There is no time, there is no way to?—”

“Mirrors, my child. Has life here at the castle rotted your brain? You can still reach the realms through mirrors, and I assure you, a castle this size should have plenty.”

“But I know nothing of Tír fo Thuinn , or its customs, or its leaders, not to mention how to navigate a world under the wave. ”

Headmistress Blackthorn’s lips curved into a smile. “If only you knew someone capable of navigating the waves. Someone from Tír fo Thuinn. A siren, perhaps...”

My blood chilled.

“W-Wanda is from Tír fo Thuinn ?”

Headmistress Blackthorn nodded. “I’m rather surprised she didn’t tell you.”

I wasn’t. Wanda and I had a fickle relationship.

Sometimes she seemed friendly, almost open, but those times involved alcohol or momentary lapses in judgment.

Most of the time she kept me at arms length, the same way she did everyone else, and I surmised that was fine.

The thought of asking Wanda Fischman to accompany me to another realm made my heart beat with anxiety.

Because I knew I could not ask Bane. If I were to leave, he could not know.

Someone would need to stay here, at Castle Lir.

Not to mention telling him of my plans to depart the castle—with his leggy, beautiful ex—would only worry him, and I knew he would try to talk me out of it, just as he would talked me out of going after my answers all those months ago.

Headmistress Blackthorn met my gaze, her grin knowing.

“Well, I just thought you should know Tír fo Thuinn is lovely this time of year.”

She rose gracefully. “Perhaps you could find Desmond and send him in here? I do think I’d like to speak to our newest addition before orientation.”

“Of course,” I said, my voice shaking. I hurried out of the study, off to find Desmond.

And a siren who I hoped could keep a secret.