The phoenix and the dragon prince

Chapter 1

Ilse

It’s happening! Today is the day I’ve been waiting so impatiently for! I roll out of bed and jump on my feet. Today I am leaving home to go study at the all-mages academy, something I have been waiting for since I turned 15 and got my shifting animal, well, my shifting CREATURE, since it was a phoenix and not a regular animal.. I sigh. Don’t get me wrong, I love my phoenix, she is both strong and beautiful, with a very clever mind, but sometimes I wish to be just like everyone else..

“Ilse, you and I are special, we are one of a kind, why would you want to change that?” I hear Antille, my phoenix, in the back of my mind, and a small smile appears on my face.

“You’re right, Antille..” I mumble, as I walk across my room to the mirror. I gasp at my reflection, and my little smile disappears quickly.

“Oh my, I really have some work before me..” I sigh as I pull in a strand of my big, curly hair whilst I yawn.

2 hours later, I’m satisfied with how I look. My golden, curly hair is halfway up, with the rest of it falling down my shoulders in golden waves. I put on a light makeup with a little bit of brown-ish eyeshadow to make my ice-blue eyes pop. I am wearing my favorite ice-blue satin trousers with a matching ice-blue shirt, which is a bit oversized, but I like it that way, and also, it compliments my eyes. It’s almost 10 am, so I head out of my room and down the stairs to get some breakfast, as both myself and Antille is starving, which she has been letting me know in my head for the past hour.. When I reach the kitchen, I am met by my younger brother, Isias, and my face breaks out in a smile:

“Hey brother, what’s up?” I say whilst making my way to the fridge and opening it.

“Oh, you know.. nothing much. Just practicing this little thing called shifting, with this super awesome otter of mine!” He says, with a big grin on his face. Isias turned 15 last week, and he was still learning how to control his shifting animal, which was the same as our parents’, an otter. I give him a big smile, and think to myself of how cute it is, that he is so excited about it.

“Yeah, you better practice, little bro, I can’t wait for us to be able to spare with each other in animal form! “ I wink at him.

“Uh-oh” he laughs. “I am not sure I would want to spare with your phoenix, sister. Myself and my otter wouldn’t stand a chance!”

“I will go easy on you, don’t worry” I say with a smile that doesn’t meet my eyes. Even if I did go easy on him, he wouldn’t stand a chance, and we both knew that. I sigh,and turn my attention back to the ball of cereal that I had made myself. The king had made me train with the other animals with fire-elements as soon as I turned 15, as fire-elements are the fighting mages. I always thought I would end up being a healer like both my parents, as water is their element, and healing requires that. But no. My phoenix and I were training every day with the warriors, and my destiny was to become a battle-mage, which the king was thrilled about. He had been over the moon, when he found out that I was a phoenix, because having a phoenix in his army would make him even more powerful and feared by his enemies.

“So, are you excited about leaving for school?” My brother asks me. I was deep in my own thoughts, when his question brought me back.

“Yes, very much so!” My smile was back on my face. “I cannot wait to go there, and learn some new things about my phoenix! Also, I hope to make some new friends..” I snort.

He laughs. “I am sure that you will make the bestest of friends there, sister! Please don’t forget about your lovely little-brother.” He winks at me.

“Oh, I would never forget such an irritating, little..” I grin at him, but doesn’t get to finish my sentence, as our parents walk through the door.

“Hey honey” My mom says, as her and my dad walks through the door. “Ready to go?” She asks.

…

I was sitting in the backseat of my parents car, and my mom was driving with my dad sat next to her. My dad had been fast asleep for almost the whole drive, so my mom and I had been giggling a bit. He seriously is the ugliest sleeper! I drift off to sleep with a small smile on my face. God, I am going to miss them both!

We arrive at the school a little past 7 pm, and I have to say my goodbyes at the gate. I am both excited and sad, which makes a small tear fall from the corner of my eye. My dad notices, and wipe it away before he pulls me into a warm hug. I sigh, and hug him back, before letting him go. My mom is crying her eyes out, and won’t let me go. After five minutes with my moms arms wrapped tight around me in a hug, I pad her carefully on the bag.

“Mom, please”. I smile. “It’s not like I am going away for life, you will see me in six months”.

My dad starts laughing out loud, and gently pulls my mothers arms away from me. “She is right, darling” he says, and looks my mom in the eyes.

My mom nods and sighs, before turning to me again. “We will see you soon honey, please do remember to call and text us every week.” She smiles and winks at me, before she adds “And be good, please”.

I take a deep breath and turn my back to my parents, before walking up the steps to the academy. “Here goes nothing..” I mumble to myself, before opening the doors to the great hall in front.

…

Ilse

Wow!

I step into the great hall with big eyes and my mouth wide open. This place is beautiful! I mean, my parents house is great and all that, considering they are the King’s most trusted healers, but this.. I mean wow! I realize, I must look like an i***t, and I quickly close my mouth before anyone sees.

I look around and see that the place is crawling with mages, that all seem to be around my age.

A strict looking lady with grey hair and glasses is approaching me quickly, and when she reaches me, she looks at me and says:

“And you are?”

“Oh sorry! I am Ilse Denwick, daughter of Ginalida and Anthony Denwick.” I say with a small voice. She isn’t the most welcoming person.. I shrug.

“Alright then.” she says, “follow me.”

I pick up my suitcases and follow her down the corridor to a small staircase, that seems to be leading all the way up to the highest floor.

She then turns to me and says:

“Your room is on the second floor and you will have to share it with two other girls”.

I'm almost tripping from excitement and I can't wait to see my room, let alone meet my new roommates! I certainly get a little nervous at the thought of them not liking me, but I shrug it off.

“It will be alright Ilse, just be yourself, take it easy and they will love you, I am sure.” Antille says in my head, and I feel her sending warm flows of reassurance through my body, which instantly makes me calmer.

I take a deep breath before following the strict looking lady up the stairs. At the top of the staircase, we run in to a short girl with brown eyes and long, shiny black hair. She smiles at me and waves, which makes me feel at ease. She has such a warm smile.

The strict looking lady says to follow the girl to my room, and then she leaves me alone with the girl. I look at her, and sees that she's still smiling at me, which makes me send her a little smile back.

“Hello, I am Lena, so nice to meet you!” She says.

“Well hello, I am Ilse”.

I reach out my hand, to greet her properly, but she ignores it and goes straight for a hug instead!

Oh.. I am a little startled, but return the hug. I like her already, I think to myself.

I follow Lena down the hall, when she suddenly makes a stop and holds a door open for me.

“This is where you are staying”, she turns to me and says.

“Well thank you, Lena. It was really nice meeting you. I sure do hope to see you again soon!” I tell her, with a big smile on my face.

She grins at me and giggles a little. “Oh, you will be seeing me all the time, actually, as I am one of your roommates!”

…

Lena is helping me unpack my suitcases, as she has already unpacked hers. Suddenly, the door opens and a stunning girl walks in.

“Hey” she says to us, a little hesitant at first, but when we both smile at her, she seems to relax a bit.

“I am Grace, I guess I will be staying here with you guys..” She looks at both me and Lena, and sends us a dashing smile, showing of her pearly white teeth. She really is gorgeous, with her emerald-green eyes, red hair and freckled skin. She is dressed in a long, slim-fit dress that almost reaches her ankles, and hugs her curves all the right places.

“Welcome, Grace” Lena says, and instantly run to hug our new roommate. “I am Lena, and this is Ilse.” She points to me, and I wave at Grace with a big smile on my face.

Half an hour later, we have helped Grace unpack her suitcases, and we are now dazing in a big, comfy couch by the window. Within 5 minutes of meeting each other, we all agreed to spend a “girls night” in, watching scary movies and eating popcorn. God, I loved having friends again.. Well, they weren’t really my friends YET, since I only met them a few hours ago, but I really hope they will be, as I already really enjoy their company. I look over at Lena, who has hidden her face in Grace’s hair, while Grace seems unbothered by the scary movie, and just continues to stuff her face with popcorn. I giggle a little at the sight, while I reach for some popcorns. Yep. This school will be good for me, I will be happy here..