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The classroom was enormous, almost as big as the dining hall, which meant a few spacial amplifying wards must be around somewhere, because it was way bigger than it should be. If you went by the size of the tower from the outside, it should be smaller than a regular classroom.

The room was fully stocked. Books lined the side wall from floor to ceiling. Four rows of three mahogany desks, like the one in the duty headmaster's office, filled the front of the classroom. Behind them were five sets of sofas and armchairs around coffee tables. Eight students loitered around the desks, grouped in twos and threes. I didn't see Sasha at first, but I could feel him and his crisp scent tickled my nose. He was lounging on a sofa at the back of the room, with the goddess and a couple of other students.

"You lost, mongrel?"

Unfortunately, I recognised that voice. It was Cockhead—my new pet name for Coop—from this morning.

"Or are you stalking me already?" Cockhead placed his hand over his heart. "I know it's hard to get over me, but sorry, I just couldn't sully myself with your human taint."

The male winter student next to him snickered.

I suppressed a sigh. It had been nine years since I'd dealt with the prejudice against the half-breeds. Nine blissful years living at the academy. Turned out the best thing my mother had ever done was get rid of me. But when I had lived at court, I'd found it best to ignore the loud mouths, because reacting to them let them know they got to you.

I spotted a seating chart posted at the front, and with my dragon eyesight, I could read the small script perfectly from ten meters away. My desk was in the last row, left corner, farthest from the teacher's. That could be a bane or a boon. Only time would tell.

"Hey, mongrel. Is there something wrong with your hearing or can't you speak?"

The goddess glided over, like she was in fast forward, and whacked Coop over the head.

Coop cowered and rubbed his head, messing up his dark shoulder length locks. "Fuck, Angie. What'd you do that for?"

"We were told to be on best behaviour, remember?" Angie said.

Coop pouted. "There are no teachers around."

"And what if she tells someone?"

So, the goddess wasn't my champion. She was just protecting her friend, and I couldn't fault her for it. I made my way around the edge of the class, scanning the students. Picking out Henry easily by his bright red hair and Willard slumping next to him with his mousey blond locks. I identified three spring court dragons, by their almost white hair and vivid green eyes. Which meant if they counted me, there were an equal amount of winters and summers. Although, I doubted my summer cousins would count me.

I rounded the last desk, which was empty. All three in the last row were as was the one in front of mine. I plopped my almost empty bag on the desk and plonked into the plush brown leather chair and spun around. There were three drawers on both sides and the surface gleamed like it had been freshly polished.

"Oi. What the hell are you doing, mongrel?" Coop stood in front of my desk with his hands on his hips.

The goddess, Angie, parked herself at the one right of mine, watching with interest.

"What does it look like?" I asked.

He blinked. "Like you're making yourself at home."

"Then, you'd be right." I spun again. I could get used to this.

Coop thumped his fist on my desk so hard it's a wonder it didn't crack.

I stopped spinning and placed both my hands on the table. "You and me are going to have problems if you damage what's mine."

"Yours?"

I pointed. "Yup, says so on the seating chart."

His mouth dropped. "But you're a—."

"Trust me, class one wasn't my first choice either." I raised my hand and waved him off. "Now, run along."

I caught a soft snicker on my right.

Cockhead snapped his jaw together with an audible click. "Mongrel. You don't belong here."

I sighed. "Take it up with the headmaster."

Cockhead's nostrils flared.

"I tell you what. You're a noble, right? And have so much more sway than a little mongrel like me."

He nodded cautiously.

"I would be ever so grateful if you'd petition the headmaster, because I doubt he'd listen to an insignificant mongrel like me. I'm sure you'd have a much better chance at convincing him to move me."

The Goddess giggled, and so did the spring male.

Coop's nostrils flared. He shot forward. His speed was impressive—much faster than Bay. He reached over the desk and grabbed my collar and yanked me out of the chair.

"I'm gonna mess you up, little mongrel. Your parents won't be able to recognise that pretty little face of your when I'm done."

"Aw, you think I'm pretty?"

Angie laughed. A wave of power approached and swept into the room.

"Mr Winterlake. Is there a problem?"

I glanced at a professor I didn't recognise.

Coop released me. "No, professor."

"Excellent, now everyone, please take your seats so we can start." The professor placed a stack of papers on his desk as the last bell chimed.

I held Coop's murderous stare for a moment longer, gave him a soft smile and retook my seat.

Coop snarled, yanked out the chair, and plonked himself down. Well, that's just lovely. We were neighbours. I tossed my hair over my shoulder and caught sight of Sasha sitting at the other back corner, and Angie was there to stay, which meant I was surrounded by winters. Lucky me.

Although I guess the Winters were better than the Summers, whom were at least two desks away. Judging by his purple-black hair and silver eyes, the professor was clearly a winter, and I had to wonder if he'd separated me from my court on purpose so he wouldn't be putting out fires all the time, because I just knew it was coming. There was no way the younger Summerflare was not going to pick up where big brother had left off.

"Let's get down to business." He flicked his hand, and a name scrawled across the board.

Professor J. Fallen.

"For the one person in the class who doesn't know me, now you do."

A few heads turned my direction. Great, let's single out the new girl even more.

"The rest of us who've been uprooted, I appreciate that this might be difficult for some of you. But you were all chosen for your strength, both in character and magic. And together we can persevere this year in the—" his nose scrunched up like he smelt something rotten "—Human world."

"Remember what the headmistress told you at the end of last term. You are to treat the mong—" He cleared his throat. "The half-breeds and other supernatural races enrolled here fairly. And you are not to cause trouble. Keep an eye out on each other and we will make it through."

I placed my elbow on the table and rested my head on my hand, and gazed out the window. Only half listening to the waffle. He made it sound like their being here was such a huge trial for them. Maybe it was? Honestly, they should give a brief consideration to the students whose lives they were disrupting by being here.

Professor Fallen straightened to his full height—probably near six and a half feet as most dragon males were—and outlined the rules of the Academy, which hadn't changed with the addition of the DA students. I'd checked. Then he moved on to the rules specifically for class one students. I perked up and tuned in.

"We've been granted permission by Headmaster Springdon to maintain some of our traditions. However, there are a few amendments. So please pay attention, because failure to adhere may carry a potential expulsion penalty."

I turned my gaze back to Professor Fallen. He flourished his hands and text appeared behind him in glowing letters.

"As before, number one. You may not attack any student outside of year seven class one, but should a lower student attack you, you may defend yourself. We do ask that you take their level of magic into consideration when retaliating to avoid unnecessary death."

I raised my eyebrows. Fighting hadn't been encouraged in the Bloods Academy before. Was that going to change?

"Number two, duels between class one students are only allowed in a non-crowded area, and preferably outdoors. Should students outside of class one be injured, depending on the severity of the injury, suspension, or expulsion may be pursued by the headmaster. So minimise any collateral damage and plan your attacks well."

My mouth popped open. It sounded like he was encouraging the fights.

"And a big change to note, is attacks should only be made one on one. Multiple students against one will not be allowed, unless during combat training or specified by a teacher. Is that understood?"

A few students groaned.

Professor Fallen waved his hand, and papers flew off his desk. Three sheets landed on the first student's desk and then the next, all the way back to me.

"The rest of the rules are outlined in the sheet I've just given you. Take some time today to review them. You'll find your schedule there too and a printout of the school rules, because I know most of you would not have opened the handbook."

I glanced down at the timetable and it was my turn to groan.

Court affairs. Ugh. I hadn't studied court affairs since I was twelve.

"You'll notice that Friday morning is currently blank. That's because from the second term, you will start flying class. Miss Summerfall."

I looked up.

"I'll talk to the headmaster to see if you can join another class during that time."

A few sniggers rose, and a boy in the front row raised his hand, Henry.

"Yes, Mr Summerflare?"

Henry lowered his hand. "Professor, you seem to have forgotten about Court Affairs too. What purpose would a mongrel have learning about statecraft?"

The other summer student snickered.

"Mr. Summerflare, we do not refer to Miss Summerfall as a mongrel. I've been informed by the headmaster that the term is not acceptable while we are at this academy. You will refer to her as a half-breed or mixed blood. And yes, while I did think the same at first, I'm sure you as a summer are well aware of who Miss Summerfall's mother is, therefore—"

Coop raised his hand. "Professor, who is her mother?"

The professor pursed his lips.

"It's not like that matters. Everyone at court knows her own mother couldn't wait to be rid of her and shipped her a year before the entry age." Henry turned and shot me a sneer. "What did you do, bastard, to keep busy during the first year? Clean the toilets?"

"Mr. Summerflare I'm sure your Queen and Princess Helena would not appreciate your conduct."

Henry paled and turned to the front. "Yes, Professor."

Coop straightened and twisted around to face me. "Your mother is Princess Helena? You're that bastard?"

I glared. I started to say it wasn't any of his business, but the professor beat me to it.

"Yes, Mr. Winterlake. Princess Helena is Miss Summerfall's mother. We are fortunate to have two royals in our class yet again, even if one of them is only half. So, I'm sure you can all understand now why Miss Summerfall is assigned to class one."

A few students murmured and glanced my way, but I decided it was best to look out the window again.

The professor prattled off some bollocks about keeping up decorum while they were here, and that every Monday morning, this period was free for them to air any grievances and seek help. The bell chimed, and we moved straight into magic theory. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw students shift to pull out their textbooks. I hadn't brought a textbook to class since my second year. The only subjects I looked forward to were weaponry and combat. They were more my style. Studying sucked demon balls.

Professor Fallen talked a lot, but I tuned it all out, wondering how Roan and Raven were getting along on their first day at the Dragon Academy. It was going to be hard to meet up with them this year. They were both Autumn Court, so it wasn't like I could pop over and visit them during the holidays. If all went to plan, after graduation, the three of us planned to move to London, away from the restraints of courts. Bay and Gin had their families to return to, but even they had like the idea of moving to London. The only one who hadn't, was Sana. My shoulders drooped. This year would serve as a solid reminder of why I hated the realms.

I checked my watch and counted down the seconds and as soon as the recess chime rang, was out of my chair, employed my dragon speed, and zipped out of the classroom. 

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If you read chapter one before this chapter was published, please reread it. I've changed it a bit.

Thanks for reading.

A new chapter will be out in two weeks