Sarika, my enchanting neighbour, I mean that in every sense of the word invited us to hang out and ‘compare notes’ after the ceremony winds up.

She seemed nice, ignoring the whole; I can make you do it even if you don’t want to part, and I didn’t want to go sit in my room alone. Thoughts had a way of creeping up on someone.

Not that I could even decline. The moment she offered, Eislyn jumped at the chance, dragging me after the girl and her companion.

“She’s half Mer and half-elf but her parents died so she was sort of adopted by Ereni’s. Oh, and she’s a siren, no idea from where.”

I watched her as we trudged after her, with green wavy hair and the bright golden eyes I had glimpsed before, she truly was a sight to behold.

“She’s also the most probable winner, given her looks and skills, which doesn’t make ‘beloved’ sister thrilled.”

“The rest hate her, more like are jealous if you ask me. As far as friends go, she’s the best choice, you know an enemy of the enemy and all that jazz.”

“Noted,” I replied wryly, trying to process everything she just said, I swear the woman had a motor for a mouth.

“Enough with the Sarika crash course, if we don’t hurry we are going to miss it and I won’t be thrilled,” the girl herself says turning to survey us.

“Miss what?”

It is then that I realise we’ve been going up, and my curiosity is assuaged a minute later when her maid pushes open an ancient-looking door to reveal the most beautiful sight ever, I feel like I have been thinking that a lot since my world turned all topsy-turvy.

We were on the roof facing the other side of the academy and the ocean spread in front of us, that wasn’t it though, the sun was going down and believe me; you have not seen a sunset until you see it over a large water body.

“wow.”

“yeah,” agrees Sarika.

She sounded different, more relaxed, and I couldn’t help but wonder at the change.

“Uh-huh, I knew I would find you here.”

We both jumped turning to the intruder.

Eis and the other girl had moved away chatting quietly, and we had been left sitting in comfortable silence staring across the water even after the sun was long gone.

“Alain, your keepers finally let you go?”

“what do you think?”

Sarika just scoffs turning back to the water, and I look at the princess confused.

“I sneaked out, they have had enough time to get over it and while it was nice to be cared for and not bullied for a change, I don’t want to be coddled anymore.”

“so, what are we looking at,” she says, squeezing in between us.

Was she always this bubbly? I don’t know how anyone can live like that, let alone find people who could handle all... that.

“you should have seen her during her pink era,” Eislyn mutters having moved back, sitting on my other side.

I look at her quizzically; I for sure know I didn’t ask all that out loud.

“Relax, it was all over your face, and I always ask myself the same thing.”

“What are you two whispering about?” the girl in question mock whispers as she finishes her own hushed conversation with Sarika, guess they were close.

When the silence prolongs, Eis breaks it and I move back, shutting them out as I lie back on the floor feeling relaxed for the first time in a while.

I wriggled my toes realizing I was still in the sneakers and my performance outfit, sniffing at myself, I scrunch up my nose standing up.

“I reek, I’m going to take a shower and catch a nap, see you guys later.”

“I’ll come with you,” Eislyn insists standing up.

“Nah, it’s cool, I’m sure I can find my way back, just hang.”

“you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yeah, why not?” famous last words ey?

Trudging back down the stairs I pass down several doors I hadn’t noticed before, a particular one that was open calls to me and I stop staring at it curiously.

Moving closer, I realise it’s not actually a door but a painting that’s somehow an opening? Looked like a secret passage, who left it open?

I take a closer step curiosity getting the best of me despite my inner bitch’s hesitation.

Mahina...

I freeze hand held out as I was going to push in, what was that?

Chalking it up to my imagination, I take another step, and this time it comes out as a rumble.

Mahina Thorne, the heir with the moon on her head, the earth on her skin and oceans in her heart... pretty... pretty ash hair.

Oh, hell no, I wasn’t that curious... or stupid, no freaking way was I going further or sticking around for more.

I hurry back to my room trying to shake the chill that enveloped my body when the creepy hallway said my name.