Enchanting Winter

T

here are no other servants in the Squires classroom. Everyone stares at Willow with cautious and curious eyes. Willow hears the whispers surrounding her but keeps her head down as she makes her way to an empty seat at the back. This is high school after all, you don’t want to stir the pot too much. She sits down next to a boy whose outfit is more disheveled than most. He has scruffy brown hair and emerald green eyes with study her intensely.

Spencer looks over his shoulder giving Willow a small smile before Mrs Barlow continues with her lesson. Willow tries her best to pay attention but the content doesn’t make much sense and shaggy haired boy won’t stop staring.

“Can I help you?” Willow asks through gritted teeth trying not to draw too much attention.

“Everyone in this room can smell the magic coming off you.” The boy says softly his green eyes narrowing slightly.

“Smell?”

“Power has a stench.” He screws up his nose slightly. “Why did Jones kick you out?”

“I refused to perform magic in front of the class.”

His eyebrows shoot upwards.

“Well that is a first. You’re ok Winter.”

“And you aren’t like the others.” Willow says her own gaze assessing him realise he was yet to address her with any type of title.

“Stop talking Willow.” Cassius growls and Willow can feel his anger.

I told you to stay out of my head!

“You look to be having some sort of mental battle. I’m Luke by the way.”

“Willow, but you already know that.”

“A lot on your mind?”

“Tonnes. This is very different for me. I mean why are there even different classes if everyone has magic?”

“Everyone’s magic is different some are more gifted than others.” He points between himself and Willow accenting his point.

“What is your gift?” Willow asks curiosity getting the better of her.

Cassius growls her name in her head but she ignores him.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” Luke smirks but Willow shakes her head.

“Never mind.” Willow says sadly.

The two fall into a comfortable silence before Willow feels something press against her arm. She turns her head to see a claw, an actual real life claw attached to a paw resting on her arm. The paw disappears just before Willow can reach out and she is left staring at a smirking Luke.

“I’m a half breed too.” Luke says with a chuckle. A thousand questions running through Willow’s head but she doesn’t get to ask one between Cassius scolding her mentally and the bell ringing to signal the end of class.

Willow is in a daze as she enters the hallway.

He had an actual paw!

She can hear Cassius talking to her but is doing a decent job of tuning him out. Jonathan is silent and stoic following behind her with her books without a sound.

I wonder if Jonathan saw the paw?

“Lady Willow!” A person crosses in front of her path and Willow looks up to see a fairly attractive guy staring at her. She shakes her head of her thoughts and puts on a somewhat polite smile.

“Willow is fine.” She extends her hand but instead of shaking it the boy does, what seems to be protocol in the magic realm and lifts the back of her hand to his lips gently pressing a kiss against her skin.

“It is an absolute pleasure! I’m Marquess Joshua Mills of Clear Water. Son of the Duke and Duchess of Clear Water.”

“I don’t know where that is.” Willow admits and Joshua laughs as though that is the funniest thing he has ever heard.

“Miss Carson did not share with me your sense of humour m’lady. You really must come and sit with us for lunch.”

“Oh I-”

“I insist.” Joshua holds out his arm and Willow stares at it for a moment before wrapping her arm around his and letting him lead her towards his lunch table. “Your footman can retire m’lady you are in good hands.”

Willow looks back at Jonathan who once again remains stoic.

“You may go Jonathan.”

“Lady Willow-”

“Go.”

“Of course m’lady.” Jonathan refuses to make eye contact as he bows out.

“Here we are! Everyone may I introduce Lady Willow Winter of Winter Grove.”

Willow recognises a few of the people at Joshua’s table having seen them around the school already. Joshua pulls out a seat for her and Willow graciously accepts it, happy to flop down next to Nicholas.

The girl opposite Willow grins. “California right?” The girl asks and Willow’s eyes widen.

“Yes.” Willow’s response causes some of the other people at the table to whisper about the ‘natural realm’.

“New York, born and raised.” The girl extends her hand across the table and it is suddenly obvious she is not from around here. “Jess, or should I say Lady Jessica Mills.” Jessica finishes with a fake snooty British accent.

“Mills?” Willow looks between Jessica and Joshua.

“Cousins.” Jessica answers quickly. “Look I have to run. Got to get a few things from the library but find me later?”

“Definitely.” Willow says with a smile as Jessica jumps up from her seat.

“You should be careful who you associate with Lady Willow.” Blair says from the other end of the table. “Certain nobility isn’t as pure as others.”

“Is that a snide remark at my cousin Miss Carson?”

“I didn’t say anything you haven’t already said m’lord.” Blair bites her lip sending a flirtatious look towards Joshua.

“How have you enjoyed your classes so far Lady Willow?” A boy Willow doesn’t recognise asks.

“They have been insightful.”

“Is it true you possess the same gift as Marquess Henry?” Joshua asks but before Willow responds another girl talks.

“No one has seen any proof.”

“Miss Marks!” Joshua scolds.

“Well it is true m’lord she refused to show her magic. The professor had no choice but to send her to squires. Mr Black was there. It is true isn’t it?” Miss Free looks towards Nicholas whose eyes are secured on Willow.

“Well, it is to be expected after all her blood isn’t pure. She is a half breed.” Blair spits in her direction.

“Blair.” Nicholas warns and she throws him an innocent look.

“I don’t care what you think of me.” Willow stands defiantly. “And I don’t need to sit here and be belittled.” Willow schools her expression not to show any hurt. Bullies are bullies everywhere and it isn’t the first time Willow has dealt with a cliche high school bully.

She is halfway towards her dorm when Nicholas stops her. Cassius has been muttering in her head the whole afternoon a mixture of scoldings, advice and sweet nothings and Willow is just about ready to snap.

“Willow don’t listen to them, they-”

“Are right.” Willow shrugs. “I’m not worthy but I don’t wish to be! Don’t you get it? I’m doing this because I have no other choice. The moment I turn eighteen I’m gone.”

“But the Duke and Duchess?”

“Could have got to know me sooner. Nothing was stopping them.”

“But your mother-”

“They are infinitely powerful I think if they wanted to find me there would have been a way.”

“You aren’t thinking rationally Willow.”

“Oh and, tell your brother to stay out of my head!”

Nicholas furrows his brow as he stares at Willow.

“You can hear my brother?” Nicholas asks and Willow rolls his eyes.

“Yes, and no matter how many times I ask he won’t get out of my head.”

“You mean to say you are communicating with him? Telepathically?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that. But the betrothed butthead needs to start minding his own business. I mean if I want to be friends with a werewolf then so be it.”

“Werewolf? Wait m’lady, can you explain that to me again?”

“Only if you just call me Willow none of this m’lady shit.”

Nicholas coughs, slightly startled by Willow’s cursing but does his best to cover it.

“Come with me.” Nicholas says extending his hand.

“Don’t Willow.” Cassius pleads and Willow rolls her eyes.

Give me one reason.

“Are you talking to him now?” Nicholas says his face solemn.

“Lady Willow!” Willow doesn’t get a chance to respond as Spencer appears next to her. “May I walk you to your next class m’lady?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Nicholas snaps.

“He asked the lady.” Luke appears as if from nowhere.

“No one asked you Bane!” Nicholas snaps at Luke and Willow’s eyes widen in surprise never having seen him drop his manners.

Luke steps towards Nicholas and Willow swears she hears him growl.

“Nicholas, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Lady Willow-”

“Thank you Spencer.” Willow cuts Nicholas off taking Spencer’s arm. Once the two are out of earshot Willow asks. “What was that about?”

“Some types of magic don’t get along. Bane magic and Black magic have been feuding for ever.”

“Has it got something to do with Luke being a werewolf?”

“You know?”

“He showed me his paw.”

“He shouldn’t have done that. He isn’t supposed to transform within the school buildings.”

“Are you friends with him?”

“Cousins. The non wolf side. Luke’s mother passed away a few years ago and he came to live with us.”

The two walk in silence through the halls Cassius still shouting at Willow inside her head.

GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

“I’m trying to help m’lady. You need to keep better company.”

Willow rolls her eyes and follows Spencer into a small classroom. Willow takes her seat next to Spencer and it isn’t long before Luke comes in, looking shaggier than before. Luke offers her a wink before sinking into the seat next to her. Willow finds herself staring at Luke. This whole world is nothing like she imagined, witches and now werewolves.

I’m in way over my head.

Mrs Barlow who has already stared talking to the class is cut off by a knock at the door. Cassius strides into the room and Willow feels Luke tense beside her.

“Good afternoon Lord Black.”

“Mrs Barlow, I was wondering if I could borrow Lady Willow for a moment?” Cassius asks his eyes never leaving Willow.

“Of course.”

I’m not going anywhere with you.

“Don’t make a scene Willow.”

“Off you go m’lady.” Mrs Barlow encourages when Willow still hasn’t stood up.

“Now Willow.” Cassius growls at her in her head.

Willow stands with an eye roll dusting the imaginary dirt from her skirt and walks toward the door Cassius is holding open. Once in the hallway Willow crosses her arms over her chest and glares at the attractive man in front of her.

“What?” She snaps angrily.

“That is no way to talk m’lady.”

“I don’t give a sh-”

“You need to stay away from the wolf.” Cassius cuts her off before she can curse. “I have already organised for you to rejoin the Pure Craft class.”

Before Willow can argue Cassius snaps his fingers and Jonathan appears beside the pair.

“You need to do your job better or the Duke will hear how you left Lady Willow alone with Lukos Bane.” Cassius narrows his eyes at Jonathan.

“The lady dismissed me. She-”

“Is new to this realm and requires your assistance.”

“Stop!” Willow shouts at the pair and the two men turn to look at her. “Stop treating me like I’m some useless female. I’m not rejoining Pure Craft-”

“Will-”

“I’m not finished! Stop pretending you care about me when you are engaged. Stay out of my head Cassius. I don’t need you.”

“My betrothal is unimportant.” Cassius holds Willow’s hand in his own.

“I doubt your fiancé thinks so.”

“I only care what you think Willow.”

You don’t know me!

“I know you better than you think.”

Bull shit.

“Jonathan take Lady Willow back to Pure Craft the Professor is waiting for her.”

“But Lord Black, Lady Willow refuses to use her magic.” Jonathan says his voice shaky.

“I am aware of this. As far as Professor Jones is concerned Willow will have a private tutor. She will not be required to display her magic in front of her class.”

“Very well m’lord.” Jonathan says with a nod.

“Tutor?” Willow clarifies. “But who...?”