Forbidden Enchantment

Chapter 1

Alara stood on the threshold of the Academy of Mystical Arts and Sciences, her heart beating with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The large, ivy-covered buildings towered before her, their Gothic architecture both impressive and intimidating. Students of all shapes, sizes, and species ran around, each engrossed in their own world. Demons, dwarves, vampires, werewolves, and the descendants of various gods coexisted in a chaotic but harmonious mix.

Alara took a deep breath and steeled herself. She had been waiting for this moment for years, but now that it was here, she couldn't shake off the fear gnawing at her insides. Being a fairy, especially one who didn't fit the typical cliché, meant that she was bound to stand out – and not necessarily in a good way.

She brushed a strand of her copper-coloured hair behind her ear and adjusted the strap of her backpack. In her human form, she was only about 1.60 meters tall, petite, and fragile looking. Which, as strange as it sounded, made her stand out. Today, to celebrate the first day of school, she wore her favourite ripped jeans, a band T-shirt, and her worn-out Doc Martens. Her carefully chosen attire was meant to exude confidence and ward off the teasing she expected from her classmates. Most fairies preferred ethereal, delicate clothing, even in their human form, but Alara had no interest in following this trend.

As she walked through the courtyard, she felt the gaze of the others on her. Whispers hovered in the air, and although she couldn't hear the exact words, she knew what they were about. A fairy who didn't present herself in tight clothes. A fairy at this school? It was almost unheard of. She tightened her grip on the straps of her backpack, trying to ignore the fluttering of nerves in her stomach.

Her mother, Ainé, the queen of the fairies, had always been well-disposed towards humans and other creatures, and her many love affairs with mortal men had brought her numerous offspring. Alara's siblings, with their superiority complexes and selfish tendencies, had made her childhood difficult. She had learned early on that she didn't want to be like them, and this school was her chance to go her own way, away from the shadow of her family.

The fear of being bullied because of her origins was real. Fairies, despite their powers, were often seen as fragile and sensitive. The other students might see her as an easy target, and Alara knew she had to show strength to avoid being teased. She was determined to be tough, not to show the insults, but deep down she knew how hard it was going to be.

In the midst of the sea of unknown faces, one thought comforted her: Carmy. Alara had met Carmy, a vampire girl, some time ago at an open day at the school. The memory of their meeting put a small smile on her lips. Carmy had been open and friendly, and they had kept in touch by phone. Alara was looking forward to finally seeing her again. Carmy was someone she could trust, and that was a rarity in her life.

As she made her way to the dormitory, Alara's thoughts turned to her insecurities. Her ability to control water was still a mystery to her. She had practiced in the woods near her grandparents' house, but she hadn't yet reached the full potential of her powers. What if it was a disappointment? What if she couldn't keep up with the other students who seemed so much more confident and capable?

Lost in thought, she almost ignored the familiar voice calling her name. "Alara!"

She turned around and saw Carmy rush towards her with a big smile on her face. Carmy looked like a typical vampire in every way—tall, pale, and elegant, with a confidence that Alara envied. But her smile was warm and sincere, and it immediately reassured the young fairy.

"Carmy!" Alara shouted, her own smile widening as she hurried to her friend. They hugged briefly, and the comfort of the embrace dispelled some of Alara's concerns.

"It's so nice to see you," Carmy said, pulling back to look at her. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too," Alara answered. "I was so nervous today, but seeing you makes it a little better."