EMERSON
I was still reeling from last night's events. My mind was numb from how spontaneously everything had happened, but I knew the show had to go on. The world wasn't stopping for Emerson until she got used to her new life.
Just as I anticipated, I got stares when I walked down the hallway. I was the new kid, after all. Fresh meat. Impressionable and easy to prey on. That was the look new students got, but I had a feeling it was something deeper than that.
This wasn't 'take a look at the new kid and look away'. They stared at me like they recognized me. I found that strange seeing as I didn't have any friends to begin with. I might have seen one of two of them in public places, but memories like that didn't stick.
I didn't get to worry about it for long because a woman dressed in a black pencil skirt, silk button-down, and stilettos walked toward me, her lips held in a firm line.
"Emerson Winstone. You're two minutes late," she said.
"For what exactly?"
"Your tour. You were supposed to report to the office."
"Oh, I wasn't informed. I just thought I'd have to find everything out for myself."
Just when I thought it wasn't possible, her frown deepened. "We do not treat our students like that here in Sotsyce Academy."
Right. The students here were royalty because they worked hard to keep Draconix safe from dragon attacks. I was a part of that royalty now.
She resumed walking, so I assumed I was supposed to go with her. I turned on my heels, hurrying behind her. She had such long-legged strides that wearing the heels didn't even stop that.
"I suppose you've brushed up on your knowledge of Sotsyce Academy?" The woman asked.
I considered lying, but I didn't want to start on a bad note with anyone here, so I told the truth. "No."
She huffed. "I thought as much. And your parents thought they outsmarted everyone by sending you off."
Did she mean my biological parents? And what did she mean by saying they sent me off? Did they not want me?
"Your journey here will be even more difficult. You have your parents to thank for that."
No, I had the little shit of a prince to thank for that, but that was a story for the future. Now, it was all about my tour.
***
The school had a museum in it. A literal museum, but it was closed off to the students.
It had everything a museum had; wax figures of past heroes, paintings, statues, and weapons used by them in the past. You name it. And the most awe-inspiring thing about the museum was that the students here made it.
They were given projects as a part of their grades, and they had to come through with masterpieces or they'd repeat the class until they finally got it right.
"This section is for the royal family. All fourteen generations of kings and their riders which also happen to be their queens," my tour guide said with a proud smile.
Their section took up most of the museum, and they had a glass wall around it to prevent people from going near.
The wax figures were over six feet tall, showing the power and dominance of each king and queen. The life-like wax figure of their dragons was the most breathtaking part. Over seven feet tall, they were the biggest in the museum.
Their eyes almost seemed alive, scaring me a bit.
"This is breathtakingly beautiful," I admitted.
"You're right. We have the platform for the fifteenth generation ready." She pointed at the said platform which had a name on it. Armani DeVille. The crown prince of Draconix. "We're still making preparations for his wax figure."
"I'm sure it will be just as beautiful as the rest," I said, still in awe of the golden scales they possessed, depicting they were royalty.
"Yes. It's just a shame Armani hasn't found a rider to tame him yet. Time is no longer on his side," she said with a sad smile.
I vaguely remember the talks about a prophecy involving the crown prince, but I couldn't remember the exact details. I just knew Draconix was in trouble if he didn't find a mate.
"The prophecy," I said.
"Yes." She cracked a smile for the first time since our interaction. "Maybe all hope isn't lost for you."
I returned her smile. "Maybe."
"Come. I have one more important figure in Draconix to show you."
I was dumbfounded when I saw the next wax figure. "She looks like me."
"Indeed."
"Why does she look like me?"
"I'd tell you, but that's not my place. It needs to come from your parents. Your biological parents."
"They're alive."
"Yes. They sent you off your protection. That's all I can say."
"What's her story?" I asked in awe.
The fierce look in her eyes burned brightly as she held up a sword while on the back of a dark red-scaled dragon.
"That's a blood dragon," I said. "We were briefly taught in school."
Blood dragons were usually associated with death and destruction, and when they were left to go rogue, you had a lot to be worried about.
"You are correct. That is a blood dragon, and she tamed it. She's your ancestor. Armani is a blood dragon. That's what the prophecy is about."
I saw where they were going with this. That was why I was picked over Belinda even though she trained harder than me. They wanted me to tame Armani just like the woman on the blood dragon's back did.
"I can't."
"You can't or you won't?"
"I can't. I am not his rider. He won't listen to me. Is that why I'm here?"
"It's just a thought on my part. No one is saying you have to tame Armani if you're not his rider, but what if you do end up being his rider? He doesn't have one yet, and you don't have a dragon."
"I am not his rider," I repeated, more firmly this time around. "If that's why I'm here, I'd like to leave Sotsyce Academy."
"You're in denial. Deep down, you know that's a possibility, but no one is forcing you. Do what your heart feels is right. Shall we continue the tour?"