Princess of Feathers: Grimm Academy Book 16

  Princess Of Feathers

  Grimm Academy #16

  Laura Greenwood

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Author Note

  Also by Laura Greenwood

  About Laura Greenwood

  © 2021 Laura Greenwood

  * * *

  All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission of the published, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the email address; lauragreenwood@authorlauragreenwood.co.uk.

  Visit Laura Greenwood's website at:

  www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk

  Cover by LSK Designs

  Princess Of Feathers is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  If you find an error, you can report it via my website. Please note that my books are written in British English: https://www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/report-error.html

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  Blurb

  Elisa has always known about her deadly prophecy, but the last thing she expected was for the swans to arrive in the form of her cursed brothers.

  * * *

  With her friends desperate for her to take part in the Princess Competition, and her new courtship taking a turn towards serious, Elisa already has her hands full. And when she discovers her chances of getting out of her prophecy alive hinges on a vow of silence, things become even more complicated.

  * * *

  Can Elisa save her brothers in time?

  -

  Princess Of Feathers is a fantasy academy romance inspired by The Wild Swans fairy tale. It includes a sweet m/f romance. It is part of the fourth Grimm Academy series, The Princess Competition, and can be read as a standalone.

  Prologue

  A small crowd of students gather outside the dining hall of Grimm Academy. I frown, wondering what they're doing there.

  I turn to Astrid, half expecting her to have the answer. She always seems to know what's going on, though I have no idea where she's getting her information. Maybe the furniture is whispering to her. It wouldn't be the first time something strange has happened here, especially amongst the students who have prophecies about them. Myself included.

  A shiver runs down my spine at the thought of it. Most of the time, I just pretend it's not a big deal, but I don't think that'll last much longer.

  Astrid simply shrugs. "Don't look at me, I have no idea what's going on."

  I sigh. The one time she doesn't know is when it looks interesting. That's just typical.

  "Mati said something about a competition," Cordelia puts in.

  I raise an eyebrow. I don't know her older sister very well, mostly Matilda keeps to herself. I think she still blames herself for getting Cordelia banished from their home alongside her.

  "For what?" Astrid asks.

  "Something about Bellpoint Castle. I wasn't really listening."

  I gasp. "Bellpoint? Are you sure that's right?"

  "I think that's what she said. Why, what is it?" She tips her head to the side.

  "And why is it stopping us getting to lunch?" Astrid mutters.

  "You haven't heard of the Bellpoint competition?" I ask, glancing between my two friends.

  "Should we have?" Astrid asks pointedly.

  Hmm. I suppose not. Astrid is the daughter of a wealthy merchant, but hasn't been around nobility much until she came to the academy, and Cordelia has spent most of her life under the sea and away from humans.

  "Bellpoint Castle and the surrounding kingdom don't use succession law to pick their heir. The reigning King or Queen calls for a competition when they're ready to appoint an heir. People between the ages of seventeen and twenty throughout the kingdoms can compete, and if they win, they're crowned the heir," I explain.

  "And they become a princess?" Astrid whispers.

  I nod. I know it bothers that she's the only one of the three of us without a title, even if neither Cordelia or I will ever have a kingdom. Not with my three older brothers and her being estranged from her family. Even if she wasn't, she's younger than her other siblings too.

  "Who can compete?" Cordelia asks.

  "Anyone."

  "So we could sign up?" Excitement comes through Astrid's question.

  "Yes, if we wanted." I shrug.

  "We should do it."

  My gaze flicks to Cordelia, not having expected her to be the one to suggest something like that.

  "It would be nice not to rely on Mati and her fiancé for the rest of my life."

  Ah. That does make sense. I hadn't thought about it like that, but I can see why she wants to win.

  "And it's not like either of you have a kingdom to run either," she continues. "We should all do it."

  "I don't need..." I start.

  "You're doing it," Astrid responds, reaching out and grabbing my hand.

  "It would be better if one of you won," I point out. I don't need a kingdom. My older brothers would all make sure I'm taken care of.

  "But if we're all part of the competition, then we can help each other," Astrid points out. "And that way, even if you don't win, you can help one of us do it instead."

  "Fine. I'll do it," I agree. "But only so I can help you both."

  That's all the encouragement the two of them need and they drag me through the assembled student to the wall where the sign-up sheet is.

  Astrid goes first, leaving the two of us standing behind her and waiting nervously while she signs. Once she's done, she passes the pencil to Cordelia who adds her name and details to the sheet.

  A small part of me wants to go against Astrid and not sign up. I don't need this, and I don't want to take the opportunity away from the people who deserve it more. Or even those who desire it more than I do. This isn't something I've ever needed.

  But it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Or even rarer than that. Two of my brothers aren't able to take part due to their age.

  "Elisa? Are you all right?" Cordelia asks.

  "Hmm? Sorry. I was distracted."

  "I guessed that when you didn't take the pencil. But you should hurry up and sign up before anyone starts getting annoyed at you.

  I nod and take it from her.

  The list is already dozens of names long. It seems like everyone of the right age at the academy has signed up, which isn't much of a surprise. There are plenty of people who study here who would benefit from becoming the heir to a kingdom, even a small one like Bellpoint.

  I don't waste any more time and lean in to write my name. I'm still not sure about taking part, but I want to help my friends and this is the best way I can do that. Without being part of the competition, I won't have any way of being able to keep up with what's going on. I've heard
they don't tell outsiders what each of the tasks is going to be.

  "Done." I hand the pencil to the next person in line and turn to my friends.

  "Good. Now, let's go to lunch." Astrid loops one of her arms through mine and does the same with Cordelia. The three of us make our way into the dining room.

  I accidentally bump into someone as we make our way past.

  "Sorry," I say quickly.

  "It was my fault," the boy in front of me counters. "I'm sorry too."

  "Are you all right? I didn't hurt you?"

  Astrid slips her arm out of mine and disappears to get some food with Cordelia.

  "I'm fine. Are you?" he asks.

  I nod quickly.

  "I don't think we've met," he says.

  "No. Are you new here?"

  "More or less. What's your name?"

  "Elisa. Yours?"

  "Alaric."

  It suits him. I'm not sure why, but he looks like an Alaric. I don't know whether it's the auburn slightly curly hair, or the shoulders that suggest he'll grow into a strong frame.

  A furious blush rises to my cheeks as I realise I'm standing there staring at him.

  "It's nice to meet you," I mumble.

  "You too, Elisa, I hope to see you around." A genuine smile lights up his face.

  "I'm sure you will."

  "Your friends are waiting for you." He nods in the direction of Cordelia and Astrid, who are trying their best not to be caught watching.

  "They probably just want to know who you are." And will want a full rundown of the entire conversation, even if it isn't going to be a particularly thrilling reveal.

  Alaric chuckles. "Good luck."

  "Thanks. I'll see you in class." I wave and head over to where my friends are already giggling and waiting for me to return to them.

  I hope they got me some food.

  One

  Our dancing teacher taps the ground, demanding the attention of everyone in the room. I hate it when he does that, the sound goes right through me.

  "Get into positions, everyone," he calls. "There are some new members of the class, so please be ready to teach them the steps."

  "Isn't that what he's supposed to do?" Astrid mutters beside me.

  I let out a small laugh. "I think it's several years too late for that."

  "True. I'm just grateful you were here when I moved up to this class, I'd never have managed to catch up with what I'm supposed to know."

  "Hmm. Maybe."

  The teacher raps on the floor again, stopping our conversation mid-flow.

  "Let the dance begin," he announces, gesturing to the musicians in the corner.

  The first notes of the song wash through the room, sending us all into action. I curtsy to the man in front of me.

  He bows in return and holds out a hand. I take it and we start going through the motions of the dance. I don't recognise him, which doesn't mean much. He seems to be concentrating on the steps, but is doing them close to perfectly, so I don't say anything.

  Astrid stumbles in front of me, but rights herself quickly enough. She has so much natural grace, but she struggles with some of the more rigid aspects of the dance.

  I let go of my dance partner's hand and walk out in a semi-circle as part of the dance. By the time I return to my spot, he's been replaced by a familiar face.

  "It's been a while," Alaric says, a genuine smile spreading over his face.

  "I didn't realise you'd be joining our dance class."

  "Neither did I, it was a surprise when I arrived this morning. But I have to say, the company is delightful."

  My heart flutters at the compliment even if it's typical courtroom flirting.

  "Do you know the steps?" I ask.

  "More or less. But I feel like I need some one-on-one tuition." He grins as if he knows exactly what he's suggesting. I can't say I'm opposed to the idea.

  "I can help. I've been dancing since I was old enough to walk."

  "It shows."

  "The advantage of being the doted on only girl. My father made sure I had lessons in all of the arts of being the perfect princess."

  "I didn't realise you were one," he says as we come closer together thanks to the come and go of the dance.

  "The advantage of no one using titles here."

  "You don't like being a princess?"

  I spin under his arm. "It's fine, but I don't like it defining who I am."

  "That's fair. But it's made you a beautiful dancer."

  "Thank you." A small blush steals over my face. "You're not bad yourself."

  He chuckles. "Mother thought it would help me attract the kind of girl who would increase the prestige of our family name."

  I raise an eyebrow. "Does that work?"

  "You tell me. Have you ever been attracted to someone because of how good of a dancer they are?" While part of his question seems to be in jest, there's also a serious note to it.

  I spin under his arm while contemplating what my answer actually is.

  "I suppose I've not not been attracted to someone because they're a good dancer."

  Alaric laughs, drawing the attention of the dancing teacher. He glares at us, but turns away as soon as he realises we're doing a good job of his choreography.

  "I see the point. If someone is a particularly bad dancer, it'll probably put me off spending time with them at balls, so I won't get to know them as well as I otherwise could. But I'd much rather have someone who felt like they could talk to me than someone who would only ever dance."

  "Why do I feel like I have to congratulate you on your answer?" he asks.

  I let a small smile lift the corners of my lips. "Because you do. It was a good one."

  "It was," he agrees. "I think it might even deserve a celebratory dinner in the village, if you would be open to that."

  "I would," I say without thinking twice about it.

  A wide grin spreads over Alaric's face. "I'll meet you in the entrance hall after class?"

  "You want to go tonight?"

  "Maybe I don't want to give you a chance to change your mind."

  "That wouldn't be very nice of you," I point out.

  "You're right, it wouldn't be. Really I just don't want to wait to get to know you better."

  "Much better answer," I assure him.

  The music comes to an end and the two of us part. I dip into a deep curtsy just as he bows. I'm not sure what causes it, but something feels special about this moment, as if it's confirmed what I felt the first time I met Alaric.

  "What was that all about?" Astrid asks as she and Cordelia converge on me.

  "We were dancing, like we were supposed to." I glance over at Alaric, who has already joined his own friends on the other side of the room. The break won't last long, but we're all making the most of it.

  "Mmhmm. It looked more like flirting to me," Cordelia says.

  "We're supposed to flirt while dancing," I point out. "It's part of what they're training us to do, remember?"

  Astrid laughs. "There's a difference between court flirting and actual flirting."

  "Is there? I've never noticed one," I lie.

  "I say we don't believe her," Astrid says to Cordelia.

  "I'd say so. The way he was looking at her was close to asking her to marry him."

  I choke. "Alaric didn't do that," I say quickly.

  Astrid raises an eyebrow. "So what did he do?"

  I sigh. I suppose they'll learn about what he asked by the end of the day when I don't go with them to dinner. "He asked me to share a meal with him in the village tonight."

  "And you said you'd go?" Surprise is evident in Cordelia's voice.

  "Yes."

  "I can't believe you."

  "Why would I lie about that?" I ask, trying not to be too confused.

  "That's not what I mean," she says. "You've not said yes to anyone's request for dinner. What's different about him?"

  I look in Alaric's direction again. "I don't know," I admit. "You know w
hen you get a feeling about someone and know they're supposed to be in your life for some reason?"

  Astrid nods. "It's how I felt the day I met the two of you."

  A smile spreads over my face. "Me too. I knew we were going to be best friends for a long time."

  "I did as well," Cordelia adds. "I'd just resigned myself to only ever being able to spend time with my sister and never have any other friends, and then the two of you came into my life and changed all that."

  "I thought you liked Mati?" I ask. She always talks so highly of her sister.

  "I do. But it's not the same as having friends of my own, especially since I left home." Pain flits across her face. I know she doesn't hold it against her sister, but being banished from the sea has taken its toll on poor Cordelia.

  I reach out and take her hand in mine, doing the same with Astrid. "I'm so glad I met the two of you."

  Before we can continue, the music starts up again and the teacher bangs his cane against the floor. I'm sure he waits for the precise moment that everyone is deep in conversation to do it. Of all the staff in the academy, he's the one who makes me feel as if he's on a power trip when he teaches.

  But that means we all have to do precisely what he wants us to.

  The three of us get into line along with the rest of the girls in our class. The music starts and we move through the steps. Every time I turn, I try to catch a glimpse of Alaric, but the dance doesn't bring us close together again. It's an unfortunate downside of dance classes that we can't always stick with the same partner, but as this is supposed to prepare us for the formal balls and events in the various kingdoms, the academy likes to mix it up so we practice talking to people we don't know very well.

  I guess I'll have to wait for our dinner later to talk to him again. I'm starting to see the appeal of why he wants to go so soon.