A dragon shifter novel Chapter 19

Thornhill Academy

Is This Heaven?

We eat and talk, mostly about nothing. Tessa tells me about her classes, about how rabbit shifters are seen as cute but useless until they get in the way of a wolf’s claws and prove just how fast they can be. She describes her dorm room, which is tiny, crowded, stuffed with giggling girls, and how much she prefers my attic. I tell her… less. But she doesn’t seem to mind filling the space. We laugh more than once. At the ridiculous food charms. At the old, enchanted infomercials that pop up on the TV. At Tessa’s impression of a pompous warlock professor who, according to her, thinks his beard is a direct gift from the gods. At some point my cheeks ache from smiling, I lean back into the cushions, plate empty, stomach full, the soft glow of the lamps warm on my skin Tessa is still chattering beside me, her braid slipping loose, her eyes bright with energy even after the longest day. Then it hits me. I like her. Not just tolerate her or find her helpful. I genuinely like her. My first real friend. The thought eases something sharp and

lonely in my chest, just a little.

I catch Tessa yawning out of the corner of my eye, her hand only half–covering it. “You tired?” I ask, raising a brow. She gives me a sheepish smile, her cheeks pinking. I hesitate, then shrug. “Do you… want to stay the night?” Her squeal nearly deafens me. “Yes! She launches herself across the couch, landing half on me and shaking my shoulders like an overexcited child. “A sleepover! Our first sleepover!” I laugh so hard I almost tip off the couch. “Gods, you’re insane.”

“Insanely fun,” she corrects, bouncing to her feet. In a blur, she’s at the pile of new clothes still spread across the bed, tossing things into the air as she rummages through them. “Okay, let’s see, what did we get… oh my gods, these are so soft, these can totally be pyjamas!” I roll my eyes, still grinning as I watch her pull out a set of black silk shorts and a loose green top. She holds them up against herself, spinning around. “Perfect,” she declares. Then she looks at me, eyes sparkling. “First shower or second?” I lean back against the couch cushions, smirking. “Second. You go squeal over the new bathroom first.” Tessa squeals away, clutching the pyjamas to her chest as she darts toward the bathroom door with pure excitement.

The sound of running water drifts from the bathroom, Tessa humming happily under her breath as she tests every knob and enchantment. I stay on the couch, sinking into the cushions and letting my eyes wander, Moonlight spills through the stained–glass window, scattering soft colours across the green comforter and the star–patterned rug. The air smells faintly of the herbs stacked neatly on my work desk. The lamps glow warm and steady. Above me, the night sky twinkles with an enchantment that makes me feel like I’m outside and safe all at once. My chest tightens with gratitude for everything I have today. I tilt my head back, whispering into the empty attic, “Wherever you are… thank you, for this. For leaving me something. Even if I never knew who you were.” The words feel strange on my tongue, but right. After a moment, I push myself up, brushing crumbs from my lap, and pad across the carpet. My eyes land on the faint outlines where the carpet has politely trimmed itself around the air vents. Curiosity prickles. I crouch, fingers slipping under the edge of the nearest one, and pry it open just enough to peek through. Below, the dormitory rooms are dark, lit only by the faint glow of wards. A handful of boys sprawl across their beds, fast asleep, breaths steady and deep. My lips curl as I stretch my senses downward, brushing against their magic. They’re all different textures, different flavours. There’s the low, grounding thrum of an earth elemental. The restless spark of a warlock. The sharp, wild flare of a fox shifter. I pull just a little from each. I’m careful and precise, taking just enough to store. To be ready. They’ll never notice. Magic always grows back. The hum builds low in my chest as the borrowed energy nestles under my skin, steady and comforting like a hidden blade. I slide the vent shut, smoothing the carpet back over it, and straighten.

The bathroom door flies open, steaming up the window. Tessa bounces through it like she’s just walked out of a spa, her strawberry- blonde braid now a damp rope hanging over her shoulder. She throws her arms out wide. “That,” she declares, eyes sparkling, “is definitely a magical shower. Best one I’ve ever had. So much nicer than the communal ones. Ugh.” She gives an exaggerated shudder, then flops onto my new bed. The mattress dips under her weight, and she lets out a groan loud enough to make me laugh. “At this point, 1 might never leave.” I shake my head, grabbing the pyjamas she set out for me. “Don’t get too comfortable.” She

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19:37 Mon, Jul 6

Is This Heaven?

burrows deeper into the pillows, grinning like a cat in cream. I pad across the attic and push open the bathroom door. The space is sleek, polished dark stone lined with flecks of green that glimmer faintly in the lamplight. Brass fixtures gleam warm gold, enchanted to resist tarnish. The shower stretches, glass panels etched with curling vine runes that glow faintly when touched. The air smells faintly of eucalyptus and fresh rain. Another enchantment, no doubt. Steam clings softly to the mirrors without fogging them completely. For a second, I stand there, clutching the soft fabric of my new pyjamas. This is mine.

1 step under the shower head and twist the handle. The first rush of hot water hits like a blessing. It cascades over me in sheets, sinking deep into every ache left behind from training, rinsing away the dirt and sweat that cling to my skin. My head tips back on instinct, eyes closing as the warmth pours through my hair, down my spine and over every scar. I’ve had real showers before. There were rare moments when I found shelter and a working faucet, but never like this. Never endless hot water or steam thick enough to wrap me like a blanket. Never the feeling of being safe enough to actually enjoy it. I press my palms flat against the slick stone wall, letting the heat soak into my bones. The world outside melts away as water rushes down the drain.

By the time I finally force myself to leave the shower, Tessa is already curled in the bed, swallowed by the mountain of pillows. She peeks one eye open when she hears me. “Allison,” she mumbles, voice thick with sleep, “your bed might actually be heaven.” I chuckle, shaking my head as I climb in beside her. “Yeah,” I murmur. “This might be heaven.” I sigh.

Comments

Lucianne Sarson

This is all so cute and enchanted and I’m just waiting for it to break

7 days ago

64

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