Caddie's POV:

"Wha—" I turned around.

"We have to go to a private defense session," Aleksander smirked at my startled expression. 

I rolled my eyes when he said the word 'private.' "Why can't we train with everyone else?"

"It's not safe, for them and for us. We're designed to be excellent in combat. Not every witch and wizard was made for that. Also, the council members don't trust anyone to come near us with any weapon." Aleksander led me up the stairs, ignoring the heated stares of the other students as we walked together. I ignored the stares I got from bystanders and ogled at the impressive architecture of my new home.

"You're acting like this is the most amazing thing in the world," Aleksander chuckled as I stopped him to look at a painting. I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the heat that was rushing to my cheeks. He's had his whole life to live like a prince, today was my first. I don't think it was unacceptable to be excited over every detail.

"That's because this is the most amazing thing in the world. I've never seen anything like this place before," I said in awe.

A group of fairies flew by leaving a trail of sparkling dust on the floor. Witches and warlocks spoke to each other avidly as magic filled the room. Their hands lit up with bright colors every time a new spell was casted. Werewolves watched from the sidelines with grimaces on their faces, it was clear they weren't fond of witches.

"Nox Haven is unique with its beautiful architecture; but you seem awed by all of the magic around us," his blue eyes were bright with amusement, he had a charming smile on his face. The smile slowly faded when I nodded and continued walking.

His brows were furrowed in concentration as he tried to figure me out. "I don't get it," he finally said, "Why do you act as if this is new to you?"

I smirked. All of the other Heirs were kept in hiding until they were able to attend Nox Haven but they still knew about the magical world. At least that's what I had gathered; but I was different. I remembered what Heidi said about trying to find me, and how Mava called me the 'lost' princess. It seemed like once my mom died I was cut off from the supernatural world. No one knew where to find me, so no one could explain to me what I was.

"Kimone was right, we should definitely take the time to get to know one another," Aleksander mused after regaining his confidence. "I'll walk you to the Magicry after school."

I was about to protest when he held up his hand, "Don't try to talk me out of it. You probably don't even remember where the Magicry is, so I'll do the gentlemanly thing and help you find your way. Also, I'd like to spend more time alone with you."

I don't think I have ever stopped blushing since I met him. He led me to the classroom and once again my jaw went slack with awe. The room was large and open, lethal weapons lined the walls and the floors were covered with padded mats.

Ryder and Mira were already on the mats taking jabs at each other with their fists, whereas Kimone and Maddox were quietly stretching. The instructors were barking orders at them.

"I get it that we're important to society, but why are the council members going to such great lengths to conceal us? Can't they just protect us if there's a threat?"

"They used to be able to protect everyone if there was a threat." Aleksander explained, taking off his blazer and collared shirt.

I really tried not to stare, but my eyes were attracted to the hard muscles of his abdomen and chest.

"Now, the threat has grown. Like I said, the council members used to be able to protect everyone, but now we have a guard and they protect everyone," Aleksander grabbed two gray t-shirts with the griffon emblem on it. He handed me one and grinned once he saw my eyes zoned in on his six pack.

I absently grabbed the shirt, "What's the threat?"

"Well, you know how the Dark Witch is the only one allowed to use black magic because of the influence it has over the user?"

I nodded as he put the shirt on.

"All right, well even though people aren't supposed to do it, that doesn't mean a few curious people won't. Normally, its a few people, but now they've seemed to have created an army of sorts."

I was appalled. Not by the army of black magic—as at that point in time I had hardly registered what Aleksander had said—but because he had begun to strip off his pants.

"Aren't you going to get changed?" He asked me as if I was the weird one for not stripping down.

"In front of everyone else?" I whispered violently.

He chuckled . "Witches and Warlocks aren't as prudish as humans. No one is going to care if you undress. They've all stripped before to get changed. The only one who might be watching is me." He said with a mischievous smile on his face.

I blushed all the way to my toes, especially since I felt how attracted he was to me. He put on the workout pants and handed me a pair.

"How about you get changed in that small room on the left?" One of the instructors suggested, pointing to another door. "I'll join you afterwards. Lady Bose wanted me to train you, one on one."

I slid away gratefully. At that point, everyone in the room had been staring at me, including the extremely pissed off Mira. I could feel her jealous stare bore into my back as I scurried away.

Once I had changed, the full extent of Aleksander's words dawned on me. There was an army of insane witches and warlocks that wanted to kill me. Geez, the things you learn on your first day of school.

The instructor came in shortly after I got changed.

"I'm Fredrick." He announced, bowing slightly to me. "I was hand picked by your aunt to be a part of her personal guard. She has also asked to train you in combat. In here, you're a novice." Fredrick spoke too fast and efficiently for me to understand so I just nodded.

"Ok, let's start with the basic technique."

He came to my side and showed me where to place my feet and how to hold my hands. Once I got that down, the hard part came: actually fighting. We started with punching a padded glove as Fredrick constantly barked at me, getting louder, louder, and louder! I was punching so hard that I could no longer feel my hands. Then, we switched roles and I had to block his punches. By the end of the session, I was bruised and out of breath.

"We have a lot of progress to make." Fredrick concluded, exiting the room.

Once I was redressed, I heard a knock on the door.

"So, how'd it go?" Mira asked puckering her pierced lip. I could see Aleksander in the other room, observing us.

"Um, all right... I guess?"

Mira laughed—perhaps a little too hard. "You don't look all right," she her voice sounded to sweet and forced. "In fact, you don't look that good at all. Imagine what would happen if I were to spar with you." Her eyes were as cold as her treacherous words. In that moment she reminded me of Char and Tiffany.

Then she took a step back and giggled. "You are so much fun to mess with Caddie. Come on, Aleksander, walk me to lunch." she said batting her eyelashes at him.

"Sure." He said, confused. Mira took his arm and left.

I turned my back to the door and threw a solid punch at the punching bag. Someone began to clap behind me.

"Wow, for such a little girl, you have a lot of pent of aggression." Cam said.

I was surprised to see him. In fact, I had forgotten all about him. "Cameron!" I exclaimed until I remembered what Aleksander had said.

"Milady," he said with a rueful smile and an overdramatic bow. I couldn't help but giggle at that.

"You don't have to do that," I told him.

"Oh contraire, my dear. There are plenty of old timers who would suggest otherwise."

I couldn't think of anything witty in response, so I just told the truth, "Well, I loathe the pretense, so just call me Caddie."

He gave me a funny look and then changed the topic. "So, why did you punch that bag so hard? Friend problems?" He asked and began to slowly walk around the room.

"No," I answered truthfully.

"Family problems?" He asked getting closer to me.

"You can't have family problems if you don't have much of a family," I said through gritted teeth.

"I know what that's like." We shared an uncomfortably long empathetic look.

"So it must be a boy." He concluded.

"It's not him. There's a girl," I blurted the truth in an angry rush of words.

"His girlfriend?" Cam asked inching forward.

"No, well, I don't know," I admitted looking at the ground, "Actually, I don't know much about him at all."

When I looked up Cam was standing right in front of, I could see him more clearly. Behind the wildness there was a chance that there could be a cute boy hiding.

"Cads," he said carefully, "Don't ever beat up a punching bag over a guy you hardly know."

The moment felt strangely intimate until I, of course, messed it up.

"I might be learning more about him pretty soon. I have no choice."

"What do you mean? Who is this guy?" Cam asked.

"Aleksander Volkov," I told him. Not that it mattered most of the school probably knew that by now.

Cam began to growl, "I take my statement back. Hit that punching bag. In fact, I might join you."

"Did he do something to you?" I was taken back by how strongly Cam felt about Aleksander.

"Mr. Ross!" Ivan the other instructor hollered. "You are here to work, not to fraternize with the students."

Cam's eyes narrowed.

"You work here?" I asked picking up the rest of my books.

"No it's, uh, more like community service. You need to leave."

I walked away, even though I had no idea where I was going. I was relieved when I saw Alix  leaning on the wall outside of the classroom.

"What took you so long?" Alix huffed. "I'm starving!"

Even though Cam's words of advice were sweet, only Alix knew what to say. I followed her, expecting to go back to the dining hall, but instead we walked out into the courtyard. From the door we walked out of, the only way to get to the courtyard was through a series of stone archways.

I looked at the garden that surrounded us. It was breathtaking. Most of the student body was already there, sitting in the shade of the trees and watching the show. In the middle of the courtyard, a giant stage had been set up. Beautiful winged creatures, with the grace of angels danced to a series of classical masterpieces. 

"They're fairies," Alix whispered to me.

My eyes widened but I didn't comment.

When she passed the outdoor buffet I raised an eyebrow in question. I had thought the entire point of the event was to have a celebratory lunch. Alix pointed towards a large tent on the far side of the courtyard. I saw the other five heirs sitting in large chairs watching the show as if it was a joust in the 1500s. I grabbed her arm and pulled her back to learns the buffet.

"Hey! What was that for?"

"I'm not sitting over there." I told her. There was no room for argument.

"It's tradition," Alix countered.

"Screw tradition," I said.

No one at the tent had seen me yet so I was still safe. I marched over to the buffet table. Alix ran after me, I expected her to be mad but she wasn't at all.

"This is why we're such good friends," she smirked mischievously. 

We waited for an ungodly amount of time to get our meal; it was great. I finally got a chance to be normal. While standing in line nobody gave me a second glance, I was just another student patiently waiting for their food. After filling our plates to the brim with unhealthy snacks we left in search of shady tree to sit under. By now, I could see that the other heirs had noticed my absence as they scanned the crowd for me. I bowed my head towards the plate and smiled widely.

"You're really happy to not be with them, aren't you?" Alix asked.

I nodded, "You seem almost as happy as me."

She shrugged, "I'm the troubled one in my family. I'll always encourage a little rebellion."

The fairies continued to twist their body into odd positions, the music blaring throughout the courtyard. I felt like I was inside of a fairytale set in the Renaissance.

When I looked back at the tent, my smile faltered as Ryder stared right at me. I expected him to tell the others, but he made a gesture to zip his lips and throw the key away. I mouthed a thank you to him. I may hate the 'royal' life but that didn't mean I had to hate all of people who took part in the lifestyle.