Academy of Legends

Chapter 19: Unknown (Cold)

I took in a long, slow breath as I stared out over the Academy from the highest tower. It was oddly peaceful, considering what would happen tomorrow night. The crickets chirped, the small lake rippled, and a light breeze tugged at my hair. It draped the long curls of hair over my shoulder and cooled my face. I wanted it to last forever—just me and the beauty of the Academy.

The spell was broken by a voice behind me. "Trouble sleeping, Princess?"

I stiffened, but didn't speak. A hand dropped on my shoulder. "Don't tell me you're getting cold feet." He chuckled, perhaps at the irony.

"My feet are never cold," I told him icily. "You should know that."

He laughed, the sound running down my spine. "Oh, I do. You know what needs to be done, my dear."

"Of course I do." But could I do it now? Was I wrong? "Has anything changed, since Henry and Snow escaped?"

"No, nothing's changed," was the cold response. However, my innocent question didn't garner a very positive reply, and I regretted asking it. "Unless you think it should ...?"

"Of course not." As much as I wanted it to. "The plan is set. We must carry through with it. Are you getting cold feet?"

The man's laugh again sent chills down my spine. It was astonishing how ill at ease talking to our ringleader could make a person. I tried not to let him bother me, but it rarely succeeded. Why I bothered with him, I wasn't sure. Hopefully, our goals would continue to align. At least I had nothing to fear from him. Hopefully. "I am not nervous or anxious over this," he replied. "Just as long as you know your part ..."

I nodded slowly. "I do."

He patted my shoulder comfortingly, but only succeeded in sending shivers through me. "Just so long as you do. You know, certain young men might end up in the line of fire ..."

I swallowed past a lump in my throat. I could picture him, handsome, young, his face burning red as I teased him. But he shouldn't have picked the side that he did. Slowly, I nodded again. "Yes. I know that. He picked his side."

The man threw back his head and laughed jovially. I wanted to pound his face in. "You really are amusing, Princess," he teased me, tugging on my long hair. "I am glad to have you on my side."

"I'm sure you are." The coolness of my voice was meant to dissuade him from further conversation. "Are you finished?"

He chuckled. "So cold. Yes, my dear, I'm finished. A good night to you." He walked off, leaving me alone.

The breeze suddenly felt cold to me. It brought goosebumps to my arms and the back of my neck. What sort of a person was I, to risk the life of the young man I loved so dearly? But he would understand. He would have to.

I just prayed that he would have the sense to stay away from what would happen tomorrow.