Chapter 217: Back To Academy

Elara:

I dropped onto the couch in the living room of my dorm and released a sigh so deep that Crazy, who had been walking past me with his tail held high, paused to give me an offended look.

"Honestly, woman, if you are going to make noises like a dying whale, at least have the courtesy to warn me first."

I glanced at the white furball, who regarded me with the sort of disdain usually reserved for people who committed unforgivable crimes against fashion. "I’ll keep that in mind the next time I’m dying, you little maniac."

He flicked his tail and disappeared into my bedroom without bothering to dignify my response with another insult. I watched him go, then leaned back against the cushions and looked around the familiar room.

My books were still arranged across the shelves, the cleaning staff had arranged fresh flowers in vases, and the little collection of things I had accumulated during my time here remained scattered around the space in the comfortable order I had grown accustomed to. Never in my life would I have imagined that I could miss a dormitory this much.

Three weeks ago, I had practically run out of the academy at the first opportunity, eager to escape the endless classes and incidents, the exhausting social politics, and the five men who seemed to take turns making my life miserable. Yet here I was, back in my spacious dorm, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief.

Somewhere along the way, between the arguments, the friendships, the training sessions, and the countless disasters that had become part of my daily routine, I had grown attached to this place. Perhaps it wasn’t the academy itself that I had missed, but the life I had built here.

For all its chaos, Moonveil had given me something the Royal Palace couldn’t - the freedom to be myself without constantly being reminded of the crown waiting for me.

Today was the last day of the holidays, and tomorrow the academy would come alive again as students returned for the new term. Classes would begin the following morning, and I was genuinely looking forward to them, which was probably the clearest evidence yet that I had lost my mind.

I had spent months complaining about my schedule, fellow supernatural students, and the ridiculous amount of effort required to keep up with everything expected of me.

Now, after three weeks of royal life, political conversations, and being scrutinized by people who seemed convinced that my every decision required their approval, I was practically eager to sit through a lecture on magical theory. At least runes wouldn’t ask whether I had considered consulting the Regents before making a financial decision. And no history professor would corner me on a balcony to lecture me about my future responsibilities while making me feel as though I were being assessed for a position I had never applied for.

I briefly thought of Lorien, and the memory of his confession in the archive room rose uninvited into my mind. I’m choosing you, Elara Argentis.

I pressed my lips together and stared at the ceiling. That was another problem I would have to deal with once classes resumed, along with the strange dreams I had been having and the mysterious creature whose voice still lingered somewhere in the back of my mind. Then there was Esme too.

But for the moment, I was determined to enjoy the last few hours of my holiday without allowing any of those complications to ruin them.

Right at that moment, the sound of the dormitory door opening interrupted my thoughts, and I turned just in time to see two familiar figures step inside.

For a moment, all three of us simply stared at one another. Then Violet’s eyes widened, Myra let out a delighted squeal, and I barely had time to get off the couch before they launched themselves at me. The resulting collision was neither elegant nor remotely dignified, but I didn’t care.

Violet wrapped her arms around me so tightly that I suspected she was attempting to make up for every missed opportunity to hug me during the holidays, while Myra squeezed herself between us, laughing and talking so quickly that I couldn’t understand half of what she was saying.

"You are finally back! Do you have any idea how much I have missed you?" Violet demanded, pulling away just enough to examine my face before hugging me again.

Myra immediately caught my hand and insisted that she had missed me more, which prompted Violet to accuse her of being a terrible liar. I laughed so hard that my cheeks hurt, and for the first time in weeks, the tension I hadn’t even realized I was carrying began to melt away.

"I missed you both too," I managed to say, though I wasn’t entirely certain either of them heard me over their own excited chatter.

Somehow, within seconds, the three of us had managed to turn a perfectly respectable dormitory entrance into a chaotic reunion worthy of a dramatic television series.

Violet had spent the holidays visiting her grandmother on an island within Starfall’s territory, which was why she hadn’t been able to visit me at the Royal Palace. Myra’s situation had been different. As a human, she couldn’t simply walk into the royal residence whenever she wanted, especially while the palace security had been tightened following the accident.

And speaking of that accident, the way Myra held onto me now made it painfully obvious that she hadn’t forgotten it for a single day. Eventually, the three of us collapsed onto the large couch, our limbs tangled together as though we were afraid that someone might separate us again.

Myra immediately wrapped both arms around me and rested her head against my shoulder. "I’m just really happy you are here," she murmured, her voice softer than it had been moments earlier. "And that you are alright."

She didn’t mention the accident, the hospital, or the worry that had kept her awake while Jasper and I recovered, but she didn’t need to. I remembered how tightly security had surrounded us after the crash, how our friends had been prevented from visiting us in the hospital, and how both girls had stubbornly refused to leave the academy before they saw me at least once.

In the end, Lorien had allowed them a brief visit just before they left for their respective homes, and I still remembered how difficult it had been to reassure them. We had stayed in contact throughout the holidays through messages and calls, but it hadn’t been the same. A screen couldn’t replace the warmth of a hug or the simple reassurance of seeing someone sitting right beside you.

I squeezed Myra’s hand and leaned my cheek briefly against her hair. "I’m fine, Myra. Really. I’m right here, and I’m not planning on getting myself into another car accident anytime soon."

She lifted her head and gave me a look that suggested she would personally chain me to my bed if I ever attempted such a thing again.

Violet nodded solemnly. "Good. Because if you break yourself again, we are both going to have to come after you, and I would rather spend my energy on something more interesting."