Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(17)

But I don’t bother to argue anymore. Magnus made it clear around half an hour into the drive, that it isn’t going to make any difference. So, I sit in silence and stare out of the tinted window instead.

Despite my mood, even I can’t deny how scenic the route is. The limousine crosses one of the many bridges which connect Arcadia to the neighboring islands. I realize that we’re heading towards the small island with the cluster of majestic looking buildings atop a plateau that I had seen from a distance that first day on the beach.

The bridge seems to go on forever, the silhouette of the island in the distance, not seeming to get any closer. But finally, like a veil being lifted, I can see the moonlight illuminating the small island at the end of the bridge. There is a large forest on one side of the island and a wide, rocky beach on the other. The only road through the island is the one leading from the bridge, winding up over tall cliffs to the large plateau overlooking the beach and ocean beneath it. The island appears uninhibited, apart from the large, sprawling buildings on the plateau. From this angle, the tallest building seems to almost touch the moon.

The scene is like a picturesque postcard of a deserted island getaway. But of course, I know that it isn’t an island resort on top of that cliff, but a boarding school for the insanely wealthy.

When we reach the plateau, I can see that the buildings look very much like how you’d expect a boarding school to look. Not that I’d actually ever seen one, but it isn’t difficult to envisage.

There are trees lining the buildings which are separated by sprawling lawns and green spaces. The tall building that I saw from a distance, looks like the main campus building and it’s flanked by smaller buildings on each side. There is what looks like apartment blocks, which are probably the student dorms, near the main building. Further away, just at the very edge of the plateau, I can see that there is a large mansion overlooking the rocky beach beneath. I find myself wondering what the building is.

I notice as we pass through the campus grounds, that the place is deserted and silent, apart from the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below. Magnus tells me that classes don’t start until tomorrow, so most students won’t be arriving until then.

I find myself thinking that it all looks so normal. I don’t know what I’d been expecting. Maybe a medieval castle with a drawbridge and a moat, with magical dragons circling and students flying around on broomsticks, learning how to slay dragons. But instead, you could mistake the campus for some ivy league university, or at least what I think an ivy league university looks like.

I expect the limousine to head towards the student dorms but it heads in the opposite direction instead. Towards the mansion at the edge of the bluff.

“Where are we going? The dorms are over there, aren’t they?” I ask.

“You’re not staying in the dorms.” Magnus replies.

“I’m not?” I shoot him a puzzled look.

“No. Dynasty heirs have always had their own halls of residence.”

I look up at the large mansion up ahead as the realization dawns on me and I think I feel sick.

The limousine stops in front of the large marble-paved drive way, but the last thing I want to do is get out of the car.

“This is Sovereign Hall. It’s where you’ll be staying,” Magnus says, although through the churning in my gut, I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on his words.

I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection up until now—the Dynasty heirs have always attended Regency Mount Academy. Magnus had said this earlier, but I’d been too busy protesting about the very idea of going to a boarding school, that I didn’t even consider that I’d be going to the same boarding school as the spoiled brats that I’d met at yesterday’s ceremony. The very same brats who each made it clear that I’m not welcome here in Eden, let alone their high school.

I feel like hurling when I realize that not only will I be going to the same school as that asshole who had basically threatened me yesterday, but I’ll be living in the same halls as him, too, along with all of the other rich pricks who apparently hate me for just existing.

“Here are the keys to the Evenstar suite. I arranged for your things to be sent in advance and your class schedule should be on your dresser.”

“Oh, god.” I cover my face with my hands.

“What’s wrong?” Magnus asks.

“I can’t go here—I can’t live there.” I gesture to the white marble pillars and the large gold leaf double doors.

“I don’t belong here.”

Magnus sighs in frustration.

“We’ve been over this, Jazmine. This is exactly where you belong.”

“You don’t understand.” I’m almost pleading now.

“The Dynasty heirs hate me—they made that pretty clear at last night’s ceremony.”

Clearly the courteous bowing had fooled everyone but me, because Magnus looked utterly perplexed.

“What are you talking about?”

I’m silent for a long moment as I deliberate whether to tell him about the less than friendly welcome that I’d received last night from the heir to the throne himself. But something inside me is stopping me. I’d taken care of myself since I was seven and I sure as hell don’t need Magnus to start fighting my battles for me now. I can handle myself.