Spindles and Spells Read online

  Spindles And Spells

  Grimm Academy 1

  Laura Greenwood

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Also by Laura Greenwood

  About the Author

  © 2020 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; [email protected].

  Visit Laura Greenwood’s website at:

  www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk

  Cover Design by Design By Definition

  Spindles And Spells 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.

  Created with Vellum

  Blurb

  Briar doesn't believe in Once Upon A Time...

  Her whole life, Briar has been told about her fate, but she doesn't believe a word. Now she's forced to go to Grimm Academy along with all the other fairy tale characters trying to avoid their tales.

  When she finds a spindle in one of the tallest towers, she begins to believe, but is it already too late?

  Welcome to Grimm Academy, where fairy tale characters go to escape their foretold fate.

  -

  Spindles And Spells is the first book of the Grimm Academy series and is based on the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty.

  Chapter One

  Grimm Academy. Otherwise known as the last place I want to be. Something my parents are well aware of. But that doesn't matter to them, not when their main focus is allegedly keeping me safe.

  From where I'm standing, destroying all the spinning wheels and then letting me get on with my life seems like an easier thing to do. But what do I know? I'm just a lowly princess who does what she's told. One day, maybe I'll marry a prince and then we can inherit father's throne together.

  I grimace at the very idea of that. I don't want to play second fiddle to anyone. Especially not some prince who probably had no chance at ruling without me. I'm the heir presumptive, and am treated as such, except in this one way.

  Which led to this. I didn't want to come to the academy, and yet, here I am. All because I want to be queen in my own right someday. Father promised that if I came here without a fuss, he would consider changing the law for me and calling me his heir.

  I hope he sticks to that promise. While I don't want to be here on principle, they have an excellent record of diplomacy lessons, along with other things that could help a future ruler. I may be here under protest, but that doesn't mean I don't want to make the most of it.

  I cough loudly to gain the attention of the receptionist. She doesn't seem to think it's worth paying attention.

  "Good morning, dear, what can I do for you?" she asks, a bored sounding tone in her voice.

  I want to correct her that I'm a your highness, not a dear, but I don't think it's a good idea. I'm not the only princess here. Pulling rank isn't likely to go down very well.

  "I'm new here," I say instead.

  She nods. "Not surprising, we seem to have had an influx of new students recently." She leans forward and cups her hand to the side of her mouth. "Lots of people reaching the age their prophecies are due to start, I think."

  A weak smile twists at my lips. That's me too. Eighteen and now having to come face to face with the reality of having a prophecy hanging over my head. Even if I don't personally believe in it, that doesn't mean others don't.

  "What's your name?" she asks, looking over her glasses and looking me up and down as if it will reveal my name.

  "Princess Briar," I respond, suddenly self-conscious about my title, as if I don't deserve it here.

  "I'm sure you've read academy policy about titles?" she asks, scribbling a note on my file.

  I bite my lip and nod. Maybe this is why I'm feeling so on edge. "I have."

  "Alright then, Briar..."

  I flinch. Only my parents ever call me by my given name alone, it's odd to hear it coming from someone else. I have to get used to it. While some people will use my title, it's seen as a courtesy, not a necessity. If people don't want to use it, they don't have to. It's not a policy I particularly approve of.

  "...Your room is on the third floor. This is your key. Your schedule, map, and welcome packet are all on the desk in there. Do you have any luggage with you?"

  "Yes." I point over to the two neatly packed cases waiting by the door.

  "Excellent. Can you manage them, or do you need someone to help?"

  My mouth falls open. I have to lug them with me up three flights of stairs? As much as I don't want to, I also don't want to draw the wrong kind of attention to me by saying no.

  "I'll manage."

  "Good. The stairs are at the end of the hall. There's an enchantment button at the bottom you can use for your bags."

  "Thank you." I wait for a moment, trying to work out if she has any more of an explanation about what I'm supposed to do here.

  "Welcome to Grimm Academy." She grins and I take that as my sign to leave.

  I grab my cases, adjusting to the weight of them easier than I think I will. I glance over at the woman behind the desk, but she's not watching me any longer, having turned back to whatever task she'd been doing before I interrupted.

  Let's hope I got her instructions right.

  I head over to the hallway to the left, the one that should have the enchantment at the bottom. Sure enough, there it is. I press the button and wait. My cases lift off the floor and begin to rise up the stairs. Useful, if not something I'm used to. I carefully pull my skirts out of the way, allowing me to climb the stairs behind my bags. And this is why the enchantment is needed, proper attire doesn't allow for climbing up stairs while carrying anything.

  Once I'm at the top, I follow her instructions to get to my room.

  I juggle my belongings down the corridor until I find a door with my name on it. Huh, I guess I'm not sharing then. That's good news at least. I'm used to having my own space and I'm not keen to give up on that quite yet.

  I slot the old fashioned key into the lock and wait until I hear a click. I quite like the feel of the heavy metal in my hand. It reminds me I'm in a castle. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that while thinking about the academy, but this place is probably the same age as my home.

  The door opens into a medium-sized room. There's more space than I expect, with a large bed, and a solid oak desk. Plus, a small restroom. I'm glad I don't have to share that, either. I'm sure I'll have to call on the maids if I want a bath, but having somewhere private to see to my other needs is good.

  I put my cases down. I know I have to unpack, but that can wait. My parents taught me the best way to look after all my clothes when I was younger. Well, not them exactly. But they made sure I spent time with variou
s members of the staff in order for me to learn necessary life skills. I've always been grateful for it.

  I flop back into the comfortable looking chair and move myself closer to the desk, examining the information in front of me. Most of it is what I expect. No passing notes in class, a certain level of dress is expected, show respect for my other students. None of it is anything less than I expected.

  "Now what?" I ask myself, searching through everything in the hope of finding the promised timetable.

  I pull it out and study it. Nothing unexpected there, either. Diplomacy, dancing, politics...dry, boring, and things I've been doing since I was old enough to walk. It doesn't mean there's not going to be anything interesting in the classes, but the thought of going to them doesn't excite me much.

  I check the time. There's an induction that starts in fifteen minutes, and after that, there's an alchemy lesson. That one sounds interesting enough that I should go, even if I'm not expected to on my first day. Most students don't go to lessons on day one, especially as the academy only closes at Yuletide, and students can start at almost any age. Most come when their parents learn about their prophecies, others, when those prophecies are about to start. As far as I'm aware, there are some students who have nothing to do with them and are only here to learn, even some on scholarships. I suppose this place probably isn't too bad if you choose to come here. Which means there's a constant influx of new people here. I'm not sure if I like the structure or not. Time will tell.

  Rising to my feet, I dust off the skirt of my dress. If I want to go, then I don't have time to change. I think I look okay, though.

  At least, I hope so.

  I check my bag to make sure I have all the paper, pens and everything else that I need. Maybe there's something else I require for Alchemy, but I hope not. My parents whisked me off here the moment I said yes, I haven't had time to do any shopping or preparing.

  I stand up straight. I'm Briar, Princess and heir to my father's throne. I'm not going to let myself chicken out of going to class. With that, I head for the door, ready to face whatever Grimm Academy throws at me.

  Chapter Two

  The room doesn't have many people in it. There's a group of boys at the far side of the room, and one other girl already sitting in one of the chairs and waiting for the Headmistress to arrive.

  I don't join either of them, but take a seat on my own and wait patiently. I have no idea what they're going to do in an induction. I suppose run over some of the rules in case we didn't read them before arriving. I suppose that's a fair assessment, given the unruliness of the boys in the room. It wouldn't surprise me if they start playing a ball game with one of the precious pieces of art from the room.

  The doors at the front of the room swing open, revealing a neatly put together woman who must be the Headmistress.

  "Good morning," she says loudly.

  The boys scramble into their seats. I roll my eyes. Typical. I've seen the behaviour before in young pages and knights. They act out until there's someone in a position of authority over them, and then they fall into line.

  "I'm Headmistress Andersen, and I hope I won't be seeing much of you." She smiles at that. I appreciate the comment. If anyone is sent to the Headmistress' office, then it won't be for a good reason. Either they'll have done something wrong or their prophecy will have come to pass. Neither of which are a particularly good thing.

  Considering I don't even think my prophecy is real, I won't be seeing any of her at all.

  "The other members of staff are all versed in their subjects and several others. Should you have a problem with one of your lessons, you are expected to communicate with your teacher first, and only come to me if there is a bigger problem."

  I nod. That all makes sense to me. What's the point of taking a decorum question to the Headmistress when the teacher of the subject probably knows more about it?

  "I'll be letting you get off for your first day soon. After lessons have ended, one of the other students will come to your room and take you on a tour of the parts of the academy you need to know about. I'm sure it goes without saying, but the boys' dormitories are off-limits to the girls, and vice versa. Not all of our students are of age, and we can't encourage intermingling." She gives us all a stern look, as if it'll keep us in line.

  I'm not even going to pretend that rule holds any weight. It won't surprise me if it's one that's flaunted almost daily by the students here.

  "As you'll all have learned in your welcome packets, the policy on titles is strict. No one is required to use them, though many people do choose to. If someone doesn't use the correct address, it is prohibited for you to punish, talk down to, or otherwise react in a negative way to them. We do this to protect our students."

  One of the boys whispers something to his friend and the two of them start giggling.

  Honestly, they'd make anyone think titles are unimportant.

  The Headmistress ignores them, and I don't blame her. It's easier to pretend people like that aren't in the room.

  "You're expected to attend all of your lessons, and are to arrive on time. There are curfews in place based on your age. If you leave the castle, guards are to escort you."

  My eyes widen. We can leave the castle? I must have missed that part in the welcome information.

  "You've been placed in classes based on your ability, age, and what we'll have expected you to have already mastered," she promises. "If the teachers believe you're too advanced, or too behind, then this will be re-evaluated so you can be placed in the correct class. We do this so to offer the best education to each and every student."

  Hmm. Maybe it isn't going to be so bad here after all. I thought they'd be more focused on the prophecy part of things, but they seem to be paying attention to the rest of academy life.

  "One of the main things we want to help you with is forming bonds with your fellow royals, nobles, and diplomats while at Grimm Academy, with the view of forming connections you can all rely on later in life..."

  I sit up straight. This is interesting. If I come back from the academy with important political connections, then Father won't be able to keep arguing against me gaining the throne.

  "As such, there are common areas where you can spend your time. The students guiding you will show you where those are. Each will have attendants you can call on for refreshments. There are also regular balls and other events, which you're encouraged to attend, but not required to."

  Balls are good. I love to dance, and having a chance to show off those skills will be good.

  "I believe that's everything. If you have more questions, my doors are always open to you, but I encourage you to ask your fellow students and teachers. We want to promote a healthy environment for everyone."

  It took a moment for us all to realise she's completely finished. The boys are up and out of the room within moments. The other girl right behind them.

  "Princess Briar, may I have a word?" the Headmistress asks. It doesn't escape my notice that she's using my title after all.

  "Of course." I smile as sweetly as possible.

  She makes her way over to me and sits on one of the chairs near mine, a serious expression on her face.

  "Your Father sent a message that you're having trouble coming to terms with the prophecy about you," she says.

  "I don't believe they're anything more than tools used to scare people into doing things," I say honestly. I don't see the point in covering up my feelings about it, especially if Father has sent a letter. I should have expected it, he likes to interfere like this. He doesn't believe I'm as capable as I am.

  "Hmm."

  I raise an eyebrow. That sound doesn't seem like a particularly appropriate one for her to make. But I'm intrigued about what she's going to say next.

  "If you find you want to talk about it, please come see me. I won't bother cautioning you that you should take the prophecy seriously, I know it won't make a difference to you."

  "Thank you." I think? Not t
hat I say the last bit aloud. In the context of the academy, she has a lot more authority than I do.

  "And just so you are aware, there are many students here without prophecies. If you don't want to tell anyone that's why you're here, then you're not required to. You can keep it as quiet as you wish."

  "Thank you," I repeat, this time meaning it properly. It helps to know I can be discreet about why I'm here. Especially since my reasons don't match most people's.

  "I'll let you get along with your day." The Headmistress rises to her feet.

  "Could you point me in the direction of alchemy class?" I ask.

  A puzzled look crosses her face. "You're not required to attend class on the first day."

  "I know. But I'd feel better learning something as opposed to sitting around and doing nothing."

  She nods. "I can understand that. When you leave here, turn left and go to the bottom of the corridor, then right. Left again, and it's the fourth door on the right."

  I nod, having memorised it all.

  "If you're going to alchemy then you'll be meeting your student guide sooner than planned. I'm sure she'll appreciate you making it easier for her."

  Before I can ask her more about that, she disappears back through the doors.

  Fine. I have to get to class anyway. I'll work out the rest as I go along.

  Chapter Three

  I push open the door to my alchemy class and step inside. Twenty sets of eyes spin to me, and I swallow my nerves.

  "Ah, you must be Briar," the teacher says from the front.