like she’s just vanished from the face of the forest.
Ivywood moves to my side and stares at me. “Your father and mother are making good time on searching the forest for your friend. She will be found,” she says, as though she can read my thoughts. I wouldn’t be surprised if she could.
“But no one can promise how she will be found,” I reply sourly.
Ivywood tilts her head to the side, running her eyes over my own for a second.
“We are all taught as children not to run into the Enchanted Forest because it takes and hides fae for fun. Maybe your shadowborn friend is being kept safe by the forest until the right time.” Her reply shocks me. It’s almost kind. Almost. “I sympathise with your situation, Princess, for I too, was given away as a baby to a human family, like many light high born fae are. I made close connections with my human brother and sister...and it hurt dearly when I was forced to return to the world of fae. As we live so much longer than humans, it was only a small amount of time before I was at their graves, saying goodbye.”
“I’m sorry you lost them,” I say, actually meaning it. I may not like Ivywood because of who she sleeps with, and is clearly spying on me, but either way, I do feel sorry for her. That fae tradition is fucked up. I can see why Queen Narah no longer condones it.
“Don’t you see? I never lost them. They lived full and happy lives, as I am doing right now. My home was with the fae, where I found love and acceptance. If you allow your people into your heart, Princess Corvina, it will soothe the loss of your friend.” Her hand falls on my arm reassuringly.
I shrug her off and shake my head as she looks at me with wide eyes.
“Nothing will replace my friend. And her name is Sage Millhouse.”
“Your Highness, your power...” Ivywood takes a step back, a horrified look shadowing her features.
I blink down at my body. Dark and light shadows snake around me in a wave. I close my eyes, embracing the power for a moment before breathing out. The magic disappears into my body, and when I open my eyes, Jonah is in front of me. His eyes search mine before he offers me his hand. I don’t hesitate to take it, letting him cover us in shadows, taking us away from this place, and Ivywood. As light returns to my eyes, I smile at the sight of where we are. The sandy beach walk stretches all the way down to the piers which hang into the sea with waves lapping up against them. The sunbeams high in the sky and so many people walk past, oblivious to us hiding behind a sign.
“Blackpool?” I whisper, not letting go of Jonah’s hand.
“Didn’t you grow up here?” Jonah asks me with a big grin.
Someone has been doing their homework on me.
Jonah links his fingers with mine, tugging me along with another cheeky grin dancing over his lips. Gods, he’s handsome when he smiles like that. He should do it more often.
“Come on. I want to play on the arcade machines and then we can get some chips and walk through the sea.”
I chuckle as we walk down the pathway by the beach, only a few people glance our way, likely wondering what uniform we are wearing.
“Is this a date?” I ask Jonah.
“Yes,” he answers without a flicker of hesitation. “Be prepared to swoon over my ace dating skills, Vina.”
“You’re so full of yourself,” I say dryly, he just laughs, letting go of my hand so he can hold my waist to draw us closer.
It doesn’t take us long to get to the arcade. Jonah, somehow prepared for this, pays the fee to get inside. We spend the next few hours playing on the machines as well as bowling. It’s here I find out Jonah has mad skills and I sadly do not. Hugging my yellow elephant teddy Jonah won me, we go to the top of the pier and order two portions of chips wrapped in paper cones.
As Jonah waits for our order, I step around the building and close my eyes, calling on the shadows. The elephant teddy disappears as I send it back to the academy to my room. I change my clothes from my uniform into jean shorts and a white t-shirt with a blue cardigan and