Chapter 6: Bunnies

Quote of the Chapter: "Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them." Random online quote.

Manon was shoved out of the arena immediately. She couldn't see what happened to the girl. Her grandmother had her sent out, for even she knew that Manon would be angered beyond control if she stayed there a moment longer. She poured a glass of ice cold water on her table over her face. There was nothing that could be done. The girl… that stupid girl. Manon chuckled. She deserved what was coming for her. But that didn't make it damn funny. She flopped on her bed. Bored, she tried to get her mind off the arena. Slowly, Manon smiled - she had an idea.

Dorian wiped the sweat from his brow. Avoiding Chaol and Nesryn was near impossible. But he managed. He snuck his way to the romance section - his guilty pleasure. He picked out a rather long novel, put his hood over his face, and sat in between the shelves. He ran a thumb over the cover. He could almost hear his heart racing. Chuckling, he flipped to the first page and began.

Midday turned into early evening. Dorian was about 100 pages in, when he heard someone approaching. Quickly, Dorian secured his hood, hid the book inside his jacket and stood. Wiping the dust off his slacks, he looked up. He squinted. He couldn't tell if what he was seeing was real, or if the long hours of reading had damaged his eyes.

A few yards in front of him, Manon Blackbeak- the head of the witch Coven was standing on a ladder - vandalizing the romance section with neon green spray paint.

Dorian stuttered, "Why - I mean, what are you doing?"

The witch recovered from her momentary confusion. She composed her face. Quickly, she tucked the can under her jacket. Jumped off the ladder, and walked away.

Dorian blinked. He glanced at his book. Then at Manon. He ran after her.

"Why did you do that?" Dorian panted.

The witch raised her hand, "It doesn't matter."

"Do you not like romance?" Dorian stopped and put his hands to his knees. His head hanging low. The woman was not going to stop. It wasn't worth it.

The witch turned, "Not like - no, I hate romance."

"Well if you hate romance, read something else."

Manon scoffed, "Lord," Manon looked at him with disgust, "This school has pathetic and weak bunnies as students."

Dorian raised a brow, "Did you just call the prince of Havilliard a bunny?"

There was no reaction. No fear, no admiration on her face.

Only, "The most pathetic bunny I've ever seen."

Dorian frowned, "Excuse me, I could tell the authorities and they…" His voice faltered at the bored and superior look in Manon's eyes, "They will have you expelled."

Still no reaction. A mouse playing with a cat.

So he added, "I'd love to see what your grandmother would have to say about that."

The next thing he knew he was up against a wall with a knife to his throat.

"You say a word, and I'll tarnish your reputation as a prince faster than you can blink," Manon's golden eyes were on fire with fury. And fear. Interesting.

With that, Manon dropped him to the ground and left. Dorian smiled and held up his hand. A bronze key lined with emerald. He didn't know what Manon used it for, but he was damn well ready to figure out.

His eyes widened as two women was rushed into the healing catacombs. She looked absolutely horrid. Her pale face without movement. Long, dark hair dangling from the stretcher. Another woman followed. With much more blood on her.

Aelin was not paying attention to her lessons. Outside her classroom, she could see the arena that the witches were setting up in. How could she possibly focus on mathematics? She admired those beasts of scales and wings. She dreamed of riding one. Maybe when the guards were slacking off, she could climb aboard one and ride the beast until the sun rose over the horizon. She watched Elide, but Aelin knew that Aedion - who was sitting right in front of her, was watching her more intently. A conch sounded. And a woman strolled into the scene. She observed the power the woman held. Elide approached the woman. And poor, poor Elide - threw up on her. Aelin hollered, but Aedion's face was dead serious. They watched in horror as Elide was chained to a board. A clear shot from the slingshot that was aimed at her. It was huge. Aedion stood up. So did Aelin. They flung it at her, and they yelled in fury and horror.

A Day Before:

Nesryn crouched behind a potted plant as the princes strolled in. Her face was beat red. What would they do if they spotted her? When they saw her skin color? Should she bow? Talk in the foreign tongue? It was better not to be seen. Luckily for her, she spent a good portion of her life in the shadows. So she was well hidden. No one glanced in her direction. No one suspected anything. One of the prince's ruks sniffed the air. Then the ground. It started moving, its nose to the ground. The prince seemed to have no concern for it, as he was conversing with one of the guards. Laughing with bright eyes, he didn't bother with his ruk. The ruk was approaching the plant. Nesryn turned her head away. Closing her eyes, she prayed to not be found. Something tapped her shoulder. Suddenly she could feel herself being lifted. Her eyes sprung open. And she thrashed against the beast. The beast growled and flung Nesryn into the air.

And crashing straight into a prince.

Preview of next chapter:

Elide couldn't remember much. Only a thud. And heat. She only knew that there was chaos, and things didn't go as planned. She rubbed her bandaged ankle tenderly. She was supposed to act as a spy - she just did the complete opposite. What a failure. Someone tall and brooding strolled in. His tanned skin and dark hair was enough to make her shrink. Then she remembered. That man that just walked in, that was one of the people that were on the stage during the orientation. A man of authority was in front of her. She straightened.

The man growled, "Are you Elide Lochan?"

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