“The one that said, ‘I’d rather you not go to the dinner’?” I ask innocently, playing with the gold thread in the dress Mother sent me for the meeting. I sent back the glass-slipper high tops. I prefer my boots. My hair is pulled into an updo that highlights the purple stripe in my hair. It’s kind of growing on me. “It seemed more like a request than a demand.”
The growl that comes next sounds like it could be from Professor Wolfington, but it’s still Flora. “Under the circumstances of what’s happening in Enchantasia, I do not feel it is wise for students to leave the grounds. I cannot protect you if you’re not in my care.”
“Seems like you’re not doing a great job of protecting us here either,” I say and Maxine pinches me. Her fingers are pudgy so it hurts! But she’s right. I can’t be snippy or Flora might realize I overheard her talking to Harlow.
Flora’s face hardens. “This dinner is poor timing. I have a very bad feeling about tonight. You were lucky last time, but who is to say your luck won’t run out if you encounter Alva again?” Macho neighs again softly. “You have to trust that we’re doing everything we can to stop her. We’re working with people like Rumpel. I never thought I’d speak with him again unless he agreed to a transformation under our care, and yet here we are.” Her eyes are pleading. “Let us do what we need to bring that fairy in and then you’ll be safe to visit Royal Manor another time.” I say nothing.
“I’d go, but no one can enter Royal Manor without an invitation. Strangely, Princess Rose did not give any to the FTRS staff,” Professor Wolfington adds, and I notice he’s staring at me and Jax intently. “I guess our opinion on Alva isn’t warranted.”
“We’ll bring you back a souvenir,” Ollie says. “I hear the silverware is solid gold. One spoon could buy the school a Pegasus.”
Headmistress Flora sounds flustered. “Oliver, this is no time for follies! Now I cannot tell you all to ignore a royal invitation, but I strongly suggest you do so. I forbade my own daughters to attend tonight under the circumstances.”
“Uh, you might want to go check on them in their quarters,” Kayla suggests. “And look for new glass-slipper high-top boxes too.” Flora’s nostrils flare.
I feel ill and I don’t think it’s that extra pot pie I had at lunch with Maxine. I think Flora is hinting that we might not make it back from Royal Manor. What does she care? Isn’t she working with Harlow to get rid of me to save our school? I glance at Jax and know we can’t wait to find out what Flora is really up to. This isn’t just about my safety. It’s about our whole kingdom’s, including the royals. Like it or not, I have to go.
“I’m sorry, Headmistress Flora,” I say. “Madame Cleo told me it’s uncharming of a proper lady to ignore an invitation from a royal.”
“Fine! But remember, I can do nothing for you from here.” Flora stomps off and stable boys dive out of the way again, but Professor Wolfington stays behind. He’s chomping on a piece of straw between his lips, studying me closely.
“Sir?” Jax sounds very proper. He looks regal in a white dress suit, gold buttons lining his chest.
“The headmistress is right that we cannot protect you if you’re not on the grounds, but I believe there’s something she forgot to mention.” His eyes are almost playful. “Different castle, different rules. You can’t get in trouble for breaking FTRS codes of conduct if the staff is not there to see it happen.” His eyes glimmer. “Princess Rose is not a teacher; she’s a club advisor. Understood?”
Is he trying to say it’s okay to be bad tonight? I’m not sure, but I nod anyway.
“Good. Then I bid you a good evening,” he says. “I also have a gift.” He pulls a small velvet sack out of his jacket pocket. “Gingerroot. It can bind magic. I believe Miss Maxine has been growing some in her dorm room for a rainy day, but my batch is already mature. Extra might come in handy this evening.”
I hold out my hand in wonderment. Maybe Wolfington really is one of the good guys. “Thank you,” I say, tucking the bag into my small clutch.
“Mine is mature too. I think,” Maxine mumbles in my ear, blowing hot breath on me.
“Gingerroot is great, but it only works a short while,” Wolfington adds. “Use it at the last possible second. You’ll have fifteen minutes to a half hour if it’s potent enough.”
“The next carriage is approaching,” a stable boy informs us, and two Pegasi swoop down with a golden carriage attached behind them. They land outside the stable doors.
“Guess we should go,” says Kayla, sounding anxious as she takes Ollie’s arm and heads toward the carriage. With a nod to the professor, I take Jax’s arm while Maxine and Jocelyn walk together.
“Ready, thief?” Jax asks.
“I guess I have to be.” I step up into the carriage and sit down on one of the velvet seats. This is the first time I’ve traveled by carriage. Well, if you don’t count our return trip from the village in the carriage trunk. Somehow I suspect this trip will be just as rocky—in a different way.
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