Page 96 of Rebellious Royals

"What?" Aster asked, dropping her arms in surprise.

So I turned my eyes on her. "I said no."

"Do you know who I am?" she demanded.

"No," I said. "Do you know who I am?" Finally, I stood, centuries of military duty making my posture straight and stuff. "I am Ivy Rhodes, the General of the Summer army, fiercest of the troll army, Guardian of Elysian Fields, and savior of Avalon.Iam the one in charge here, and if you'd like your children to continue to get the fae privileges they've enjoyed while here, you will stop trying to persecute my students!"

"I won't have my son here," Calix said.

"Me either," Oasis agreed.

"I will be packing my daughter up today," Aster informed me. "And you can kiss your annual donations goodbye!"

"I'm sure they'll be missed," I told the trio. Then I looked over at Pearl. "Would you help your friends find their children's dorms? That will make it more private when they break the news to them."

"Ivy..." Pearl breathed.

I gave her a long look. It was a warning, so when her mouth shut quickly, I knew she'd understood.

"With the Summer Prince in attendance, I am required to be even more careful than normal. I cannot take the risk of extremists around royalty. I also do not appreciate anyone trying to dictate the operations of my school. Do not let it happen again - am I understood, Pearl?"

"I thought I was helping," Pearl mumbled. "I'll handle them - and maybe convince them this is a good thing."

"Good." And I gestured for her to follow her friends, who had just stormed out of my office.

Then I finally got to sigh the way I needed. A good, heavy, and stress-relieving expulsion of air that served for all the profanity I really wished I could use in its place. Sometimes, I truly envied the children for their freedoms.

But the moment they left the main office and stepped into the hall, I leaned and gestured to get Rose's attention.

"Yes, Ms. Rhodes?" she asked, hurrying into my office.

"Did you get the names of those parents?" I asked.

She nodded once.

"I want you to keep an eye on their kids. If they leave, then fine, but mark their files, because I have a feeling they will be back."

"Should we allow them to return if they withdraw?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes, Rose. Minds can't be changed if they only hear one thing. Opinions are only honest if someone is given access to all the information available. Otherwise, it's merely propaganda, and we do not do that here."

Rose quickly licked her lips. "Should I wait before giving you the next batch of messages?"

This time, I groaned. "No, you might as well bring them."

"I can find a substitute for your evening classes," she offered. "We don't want you working all night."

"No," I agreed. "And they can wait until I get to them in the order their call was received, Rose. Most just want to know if the prince is here."

"Does Torian know he caused this much trouble for you?"

I shook my head. "No. He's just a boy. He doesn't need to worry about this. I think those kids have enough on their plates."

"And you're just letting them do what they want?"

"No," I assured her. "I'm letting them figure out who they want to be. Not who their parents, or friends, or anyone else expects them to become. I'm trying to let them make up their own minds, and I think we'll all be better for it."

Rose nodded. "I've turned off the curfew alerts for all of their rooms. Is there anything else you'd like me to do?"