Ariella’s awakening

Library and royalty

*Ariella*

As I slide the last of my meager belongings into the ancient, wooden dresser that smells faintly of lavender and moss, my gaze drifts to the window. The School, with its grand, spire-topped towers and sprawling grounds, is nothing like I have ever seen… or imagined… in my wildest dreams. A world away from the stark, sterile environment of my old high school, this place pulses with an energy I can't quite name but somehow feel connected to.

Thalia just told me that she has been here for six months. Now she joins me at the window. Her presence is warm, a gentle sunbeam in this new, daunting world.

"Isn’t it amazing?" she says, her eyes reflecting the myriad wonders outside. Her arm brushes mine as she points toward a lush, verdant garden to the left of the ground. "That's the Whispering Grove. They say the plants can actually talk, sharing secrets and stories from centuries past."

My eyes widen, not just at the thought of conversing flora, but at the casual way magic threads through her words. It's a stark reminder of how out of depth I am, a girl who grew up believing magic was something so far removed from me it might as well be only in fairytales..

"And over there," Thalia continues, gesturing towards a vast, shimmering lake, "is Mirrorwater Lake. At midnight during the full moon, it's said to show you your heart's deepest desire."

I nod, my curiosity piqued, yet a part of me wonders what a lake like that could possibly show someone like me… an orphan with more questions about her past than answers.

“Wait..” I lean closer to the window, looking at the lake. “Was that a…”

“Mermaid?” She says, grinning. “Yup, and speaking of the tail crew, that guy there is Finn, he is a merman.”

I look at the handsome young man with the tousled hair. “But he has legs.”

Thalia’s laughter is like the tingling of little bells, “Magic, most students here have a human form as well as a true form.”

“Oh cool,” I mumble, looking at the Finn guy, trying to imagine him with a tail.

“Talking about fishy people, that one there… the tall blonde one, is Coraline Tidewater, watch out for her, that fish has claws… or fangs, “Thalia looks thoughtful. “Well no matter what they are, they are definitely poisonous.”

I see how two guys walk over, both tall and muscular, and Coraline drapes her arms around the tallest, the dark haired one. For some reason it makes me grind my teeth.

“Here comes the eye-candy.” Thalia laughs.

“Who are they?” I hear myself asking.

She points, “the dirty blonde hottie there is Silas Greyfur, future Alpha of the dark moon pack. Coraline’s scratchings pole is Kieran Wildheart, werewolf prince and future king.”

“Oh wow, so we have royalty here,” I say, looking at the guy. There is something about him that draws my eyes to him.

“Yeah,” She nods, then she shakes her head. “Oh no, I know he is a total dreamboat, but do not even look at him. Coraline is very possessive of her boyfriend, and as I said, that girl is more piranha than dolphin.”

My head snaps back to her, “oh I wasn’t… I would not… I mean he is a… werewolf so…”

“So not into hairy guys I take it?” She grins.

“Honestly I am not sure what kinda guys I am into,” I say with a shrug. “I never really had time to be interested in guys.”

Thalia lifts a brow, “be prepared for a whole new world to open then.”

“Uhm, I thought I kinda already was,” I say, and when she looks slightly confused, I quickly explain. “You know new school, all this supernatural stuff and finding out if I am here by mistake or if there is something I do not know about myself.”

“Trust me, the world of super hot guys are much more interesting,” She grins. “And as I said, they do not make mistakes, you got that letter for a reason.”

I am not sure she is right, on either claim, but I can’t help but ask, “so do you have a boyfriend?”

She shakes her head, “Nah, most dryads date satyrs, but honestly those goat legs freaks me out.”

“I hear you,” I try to imagine, but can’t help but giggle, and Thalia giggles too. Then she makes a face and braahs like a goat, sending us both into a full fit of laughter.

When we are done laughing Thalia smiles at me, “What do you say that I show you a bit more of the school?”

“Sure that sounds great.” I nod.

“And maybe some more hot men,” she winks. “The ones with no goat legs.”

I sputter out a new burst of laughter, “yes please, I am not picky, but hooves might be a bit to exotic.”

We are still laughing as we exit the room and walk down the hallway. I can’t help being in awe over this place. It reminds me of a movie, one filled with magic and fun.

As we leave our laughter behind in the hallway, Thalia guides me toward the heart of the school… the library. The building looms before us, ancient and imposing, with large oak doors that look like they've been there since the dawn of time. "You will love this place," Thalia assures me as she pushes open the doors with an ease that belies their size.

The interior of the library is breathtaking. Towering shelves filled with books of every size and color stretch up to a ceiling lost in shadows. Ladders on wheels slide silently along the rails, and cozy nooks with plush chairs invite quiet reading. The air is thick with the scent of old paper and something that I, weirdly enough, recognises as magic, a combination that's both exhilarating and comforting.

"This is incredible," I whisper, my eyes wide with wonder.

Thalia grins, pleased with my reaction. "Wait until you see the Restricted Section. But, for now, let's find you something less... hazardous."

We weave through the aisles, and I can't help but run my fingers over the spines of the books we pass. Each one feels like a door waiting to be opened, leading to unknown worlds and adventures. Thalia leads me to a section filled with maps and texts about the supernatural realms and their inhabitants.

“Oh hi Lee,” Thalia says, blushing slightly as she spots a guy sitting in one of the chairs..

“Thalia, hi,” he says, getting to his feet. He is tall and slender, but without looking lanky. With sandy ginger curls and incredible blue eyes.

Thalia looks at me, “This is prince Lyrian Swiftarrow.” She turns back to the Young man. “This is Ariella Vale, she is my new roommate.”

I do a weird kinda half bow half curtsy, “Your High…”

“No need,” He waves his hand to stop me. “Please call me Lee. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Vale.”

“Ari,” I say quickly. “And you too.”

He takes my hand, but instead of shaking it he kisses it, making me blush. “A pleasure then, Ari.”

Thalia slaps his shoulder, “Stop charming her, Lee.”

“I meant no harm,” he takes Thalia’s hand, kissing her palm. “Forgive me?”

“I can’t stay angry with you,” she mumbles. “But now I need to show Ari the rest, see you later Lee.”

He sits down and gives us a small wave, “have fun girls.”

As we walk away I cast a glance over my shoulder, “so he is a Prince, like an actual Prince?”

“Forget it, he is an elven prince,” she shakes her head. “Elven royalty do not marry outside their own race.”

Now when she says it I did notice that he had pointy ears. “Marry? I just met the guy, I have no plans to marry him… no worries.”

“Sorry,” she mumbles, blushing, or I think that is what she does, because her cheeks tint green. “Forget I said that.”

“You like Lee, don’t you?” I ask softly.

She quickly swipes her eyes, “Of course I like him, he is my friend, and he is a very nice guy…”

I shake my head, “No you like him, like him. You have a crush on him.”

“Maybe,” she mumbles.

“Have you told him?” I ask.

She shakes her head, “No, as I said, elves stick to their own race, especially royalty. Also he just sees me as a friend.”

Before I can answer there is a weird tingling in the air and a faint pop behind us, making us both turn.