Collegiate

Merlin's College for the Young and Gifted

The students walking up the path towards the great stone building all moved out of the way as the Ucalean national flags that decorated a shining off-white stretch SUV with tinted windows that was accompanied by two black SUVs as protection detail made their way up the gravel path. As they passed the sign that read 'Merlin's College for the Young and Gifted' Annabelle looked towards her father and mother and beamed.

"Promise you'll call us every day and tell us everything." her mother pleaded. Annabelle's mother was a beautiful woman with dusky hair that when the sunlight hit just right you could see the little blonde highlights in her hair. She always held herself with dignity and grace - after all she was a Queen. Queen Beatrice was beloved by all who met her, kind, benevolent and according to Annabelle, the best mother anyone could have asked for. The look in her eyes almost broke Annabelle's heart. She had been so excited to start school that she hadn't realised how much she would miss her parents.

"Oh Bea, Belle is going to be too busy to remember us" her father said with a chuckle, he knew I could be teased easily. Annabelle spent a lot of time with her father growing up - she had to learn all the rules and tradition it took to rule the land. She often sat in on official business, or in council meetings with all the other respective monarchs. Her father, King Henry, was a stern and serious man with a soft spot when it came to his daughter. He was renowned for being a fair and just ruler unlike his father before him.

"Father! That's not true, of course I'll call everyday mother. And father I fully plan to be at the next council meeting." Annabelle laughed shortly as the car came to a stop at the end of the stone path leading to the huge front doors of the college.

"I look forward to it. Now, are you ready to face the crowds?"

"Always." She grinned as the driver opened the door and she stepped out. Immediately there were crowds of people cheering and waving, being held back by her two bodyguards, Sebastian, and Christopher. She waved politely to everyone as her mother and father got out of the car the cheers got louder. She smiled and turned to her parents

"Are you coming inside?"

"I'm afraid not pumpkin we have to run - we have an event at a museum in half an hour." her father said with a sad laugh "now don't forget all the other heirs will be starting this year and I know you're already good friends with Tatiana, Nicholas and Clarice, the vampire, warlock, and werewolf factions, but king Holbeck's son will be joining this year also. Word is he's a bit of a recluse, do what you can to make friends. Allying yourself with all the other heirs now will make it easier to rule beside them."

"I know father I'll do my best. I'll make you proud."

"Pumpkin, we're already proud" he kissed her forehead, and her mother hugged her so tight she felt like she may never breathe again. She watched as they got back in the car and waited until they were completely out of sight until she headed inside. Sebastian and Christopher were not the only bodyguards there as she saw Dimitri and Malachi her best friend, Tatiana's, bodyguards, she ran over and gave Tatiana the biggest hug. Tatiana was a vampire, so it made sense she had come straight inside. She was also daughter of the respective vampire monarchs and therefore heir to a throne just like Annabelle which made them so much closer.

"Thank the great kings, I've been looking everywhere for you. Did you just arrive?" Tatiana said hurriedly. She stood there elegantly with one of her many umbrellas held in her right hand – she coordinates them with every outfit. Vampires while still struggle to be in the sun for long periods of time, had adapted to the sun with them only being mildly sensitive to it now, most vampires carry umbrellas for extra protection.

"Yes, my parents dropped me off at the front door just now. How long have you been here?"

"Dad wanted to get here while it was dark, so I arrived last night. I already found our dorms, me, you, and Clarice are sharing. And it looks like Nicholas is sharing with that Fae prince and some guy called James." she said with a twang of disapproval.