Chapter Twenty-Three: Senior Trip | Part 4
Ten carriages lined the road in front of the gates, hitched to one another like they’d been for the Magic Comp. At the very front, another Dragonfolk caster tended to an ethereal dragon construct. As the trio searched for an empty carriage, two ravens alighted from a tree with a squawk that made Thirtyx jump.
The ravens settled on a carriage toward the back of the line. Rhea breathed a longsuffering sigh that Thirtyx didn’t understand until Benn muttered, “I guess our chaperones have arrived.”
“Your chaperones are… ravens?”
“Legionnaires,” Rhea corrected. “Transfigured into ravens. I’m going to guess…” She was now close enough to squint at the birds’ features. “Arvus and… Laine? What do you think, Benn?”
“I think I’m not stupid enough to play this game.”
Benn had the right idea. While the bird on the right chirped her approval, the one on the left gave a more reproachful look than Thirtyx had ever seen from a raven.
Rhea held her hands up in surrender. “Okay. Fine. Clearly not Arvus. I suppose I’ll stop guessing before you hex me.”
They piled in their suitcases and boarded the carriage. They were nearly finished arranging the luggage into a communal footrest when another figure practically threw itself into the seat beside Thirtyx.
It began cackling on contact. Thirtyx couldn’t help but cackle too when he realized it was Seerla.
The unidentified raven perched on the door and eyed Seerla with skepticism. “We’re fine. We’re fine,” Rhea tutted. “Seerla is a friend, Irial. I promise.”
The raven returned to the carriage roof with an indignant squawk.
“Not Irial either? Twins, I’m bad at this.”
“Look on the bright side—you only have five more to choose from.” Benn pulled the door closed before turning his attention to Seerla, eyes gleaming with amusement. “No seats left in the carriages with your ‘real’ friends?”
Her conspiratorial grin made Thirtyx’s heart flutter. “There would have been if I’d gotten down here earlier. But darn, I just couldn’t seem to find my jacket. It isn’t wise to go to the mountains without a jacket, you know.” She shot a sidelong glance at Thirtyx before weaving her fingers through his where their legs touched on the bench. “No one besides your guards saw me get in, and if you let me out first, no one will ever know who I rode with.”
Thirtyx was grateful Rhea took up the conversation because the contact with Seerla’s hand had disrupted the part of his brain that made words. “Pfah, you’re diabolical. I really miss you hanging around. Hells, I’d even go back to those sappy looks you and Thirtyx would give each other when you thought no one was watching. I’m so glad we can talk about that now.”
Thirtyx kicked Rhea in the shin, but Seerla giggled. “It’s funny how subtle we thought we were. But I’m really glad you two are supportive, especially when no one else is.”
Thirtyx squeezed Seerla’s hand in agreement.
Professors C and Lessel came around to check the carriages, and then they were off, bumping along the short road to the portal. “So,” Seerla said breathlessly. “What have I missed while pretending not to like you? Tell me everything.”
They told her most things, like the twins’ ban from palace duties and what really happened the night of the Comps ceremony attack. They finally arrived at Azirenne’s latest expulsion threat, and Benn breathed a heavy sigh. “So, yeah, now we have that hanging over our heads. We have until we get back to figure out what Thirtyx is going to do.”
Rhea smiled brightly. “We’d appreciate your insights, especially from a legal standpoint—maybe any loopholes you’ve learned about during your internship? If you two aren’t too busy with your secret smooching, of course.”
Thirtyx kicked her far harder this time. “Owwwww,” she moaned. “I forgot you said you’d have time for both.”
Thirtyx stood to throttle her, but Seerla pulled him back down with their still joined hands, stifling a laugh. “I’m sure we can do both,” she chuckled. But thanks for telling me so I can think on it. I can’t say I’ve learned anything useful. Dexy mainly has me doing grunt work, pulling random info from case files, but I do now have access to some of his political connections.”
