His strong arms wouldn’t let me go, his hands holding mine.  Yesterday was rough, my body finally able to move.  His hot body was pressed against me, his cock rubbing up against me.  Attempting to slide out of his arms, he only held me tighter.  My heart fluttered, my name tumbling from his lips.  

“Vixen.” He groaned groggily, his golden eyes gazing lovingly into mine. “I don’t want to spend a moment away from you.”  Sighing deeply, he pulled me on top of him.  My breath hitched at the sight of his face, him looking so vulnerable.  The alarm’s shrill ring snapped us out of our morning gaze, his arms wrapping around my waist as I tried to stand.  Smiling deviously, he pinned me on the bed.  A knock on the door made him growl irritably, the voice of his attendant telling him to get ready.  Rolling my eyes, he kissed me lustfully.  His fingers traced my bite on his neck, a proud smile curling on his lips.  Grazing my neck, he sucked until a hickey sat on my neck. 

“You didn’t have to mark me.” I snapped icily, the anxiety of facing the day alone frightening me.  The truth is being bullied sucked harder than he just did, him pulling me close to him.  Playing with my hair, he kissed me sweetly.  

“I know, but everyone must know that you belong to me, Vixen.” He groaned huskily, the knocking getting more persistent. “You would think being the future emperor would grant you some freedom.  Anyway, save your evening for me because I want to try again tonight.”  A lump formed in my throat, the thought of carrying a child scaring me.  Smiling warmly, I leapt out of bed and got dressed.  He tried to mess with my buttons, nothing winning.  Pulling out another black silk scarf, he wrapped it around my neck.  Who the hell did he think he was? He wasn’t my mother, the day they got murdered approaching a couple of days.  Kissing me on the forehead, he headed towards the male classes while I sauntered to the female classes.  A tall lanky black haired girl my age popped up behind me, her red eyes glowing in my direction.  A crooked grin danced across her face, the familiarity of Avery’s face greeting me.  

“You must be his sister.  Did he put you up to this?” I hissed bitterly, watching a lump form in her throat. “Aren’t you scared or spiteful like everyone else?”  Shaking her head, her white uniform fluttered as she leapt in front of me.  Shooting me a genuine smile, she took my books.  

“I can see that you aren’t the monster they say you are.” She sighed deeply, ruffling the top of my head. “You saved us after all, and people really should see that.  Anyway, I want to be your friend.  Also I kind of suck at magic, and need some help.”  People glared at us, their bangs covering their spiteful eyes.  Trying to shove her away, she remained in her spot.  She was just as strong as me, her smile growing wider. 

“Can’t you see that I want to be left alone!” I barked rudely, my composure slipping away. “People will hate you too if you hang out with me.”  Wrapping her arm in the crook of my elbow, she flipped everyone off.  A blush rose to my cheek, wondering if this what normal friends would do.  In the demon realm, no one wanted to be my friend.  A single tear streamed down my cheek, her gloved hand wiping it away.  

“I want to be your friend, and let them look.  I don’t care!” She shouted so everyone could hear. “You are a beautiful person who needs a friend.  I don’t care how long it takes, but I will knock your walls down.  So I will stand by you everyday, no ifs, ands or buts.  So deal with it, ‘kay!”  Saying nothing, we entered the magic room.  A blonde elf stood in the front of the room, his blue eyes shimmering at the sight of me. Yanking me to the front, a bunch of knives flew in my direction.  This strange girl caught them all, a death glare silencing the room full of whispers.  

“What is your name, you annoying girl?” I whispered under my breath as she caught more weapons. “I don’t mean to be rude, but did Avery make you do this?”  Childish giggles poured from her lips, her lips curling into a goofy grin.  Cocking her head, she played with her hair.  

“I volunteered because I really want to be your friend. I am Scarlet by the way.” She blurted out frustratedly, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “You just looked so lonely, and I thought you handled yourself well at the orientation yesterday.”  Scarlet burned my cheeks, my mind not thinking that I handled myself well.  A true lady never loses her temper, my black gloved hands crossing each other.  Bowing my head in shame, the scent of blood coming my way.  The teacher snapped his fingers, the blood turning into a flurry of red rose petals.  

“I am Professor Esme, and I will not have one student of mine be a target of bullying.” He warned hotly, glowering at his classroom. “So keep it outside of my classroom.  Today we will be assessing where everyone is at magic wise, and then I will go on from there.  Who would like to go first?”  My eyebrow twitched, Scarlet raising my hand for me.  My lips parted to protest, alas it was too late.  

“Alice, how lovely of you to volunteer!” He chirped cheerfully, a warm smile dawning on his face. His white robes swayed as I began to protest, Scarlet shoving me into the aisle.  A cloud of pure rage hovered above me, Scarlet shooting me a thumbs up.  Fuck her, and her annoying cheery happiness.  Turning off my anger, his sparkling skin distracted me.  Clenching the short hem of my skirt, a wave from Scarlet only irked  me further.  

“Whatever.” I grumbled irritably, my nose scrunching up. “What do you want me to do?”  Cocking his head, his straight hair hung over his shoulder as he flipped it over.  Snapping his fingers, he slid me a spell.  This was child’s play, my eyes bulging out at the one he had circled.  I wasn’t able to do that one yet, cold sweat dripping off of my brow.  The Mourning Dove spell was a way to summon the one you love from a prison, or something like that.  Why the hell did he need that type of spell?

“Do the circled one, and you will get one on one lessons with me?” He offered boldly in front of the class, students groaning in disapproval. “Do your best, priestess!”  Rolling my eyes, my fingers wrapping around my staff.  Holy flames licking the top, the words blurring slightly.  The phoenix inside of me protested, saying that I needed to rest my magic a little bit more.  

“Goddess of Light, grant me the power to perform this spell.” I prayed to myself, the phoenix still whining inside of me. “Mourning Dove, oh how sweet she is.  Summon the angel herself.”  White light flooded the room, my staff banging on the worn oak floor.  A circle full of strange symbols glowed beneath me, my hair flying straight up.  The students gasped in wonder, the oak desks protesting as they all stood up.  A woman in all white floated behind me, her blonde hair tied into a fancy bun.  Her pointed ears made her look like an elf, Professor Esme ran over to her and spun her around. 

“My lovely Lily.” He blubbered, blood pouring from my nose.  The light faded away, another elf standing in front of me.  Her purple eyes flashed in my direction, her thin arms wrapping around my neck.  Tears welled up in her eyes, her delicate fingers tracing my cheeks. 

“Thank you for freeing me from my prison and uniting me with my father.” She babbled happily, her white robes brushing up against my face. “I am Lily, and I am now your friend.”  My lip quivered with annoyance, my privacy being eaten up faster than a pastry in the early morning.  Clearing my throat, I pushed her off of me gently.  Faking a nice smile, I turned to go back to my seat, her white boots following after me.  Taking a deep breath, a few more weapons flew in my direction.  Her shoulder was touching me as I sat back down, Scarlet was next, her face reddening as nothing happened.  Marissa stood up, a sly grin on her face.  

“Oh look, it's the failure who can’t perform a lick of magic.” She teased lightly, the class laughing.  Scarlet began to cry, motioning her towards me.  Rushing over towards me, I caught another knife as I whispered into her ear.  

“Just remember a happy moment, and the magic will warm up inside of you.” I whispered in her ear, a weak smile on her lips as she bounced off to the stage. Pausing a moment, she closed her eyes.  Pure joy radiated from her aura, a ball of light floating from her palms.  Shocked gasps passed behind me, Scarlet crying tears of shock and joy.  

“Holy shit!” She cried out excitedly, jumping around.  The professor shot a smile in my direction, Scarlet plopping down next to me.  Buzzing happily we watched about half the class fail while Marissa did the second best.  Her black flame dragon hovered in front of my face, the phoenix inside of me wanting to fight back.  The bell rang, Scarlet and Lily walking shoulder to shoulder with me.  The weapons that were flung at me in the first class were jingling around, the next class was etiquette.  The two of them sat down next to me in the golden dining hall, an array of familiar silverware greeting me.  The silver contrasted the red velvet, Marissa hovering over me with a fresh cup of tea.  An evil smile grew on her painted lips, the tea spilling all over my uniform.  Taking a deep breath, the prissy Mrs. Pink running over.  

“What are you doing?” She snapped prudishly, glaring at me. “I want you to have more manners.” The hot tea was still pouring on me, Marissa and the petite monster of a woman in the pink tweed suit laughing cruelly.  Her white hair bounced around, her wrinkled face.  

“I was just about to help my friends understand the silverware when your little disciple over here decided to spill her tea all over my uniform.” I explained politely, but harshly at the same time. “If you don’t mind, I would like to use the ladies room.  May I be excused?”  She shook her head no, the urge to pee distracting me from her impossible standards.  Relief washed over me, my boots pounding towards the bathroom.  Dismay dimmed my eyes, my stomach churning at the brown stains all over my uniform.  Scarlet and Lily rushed in after me, a weak smile dimmed my face. 

“I am fine.” I assured them gently, praying that they didn’t pick up on my stress. “I have music class now, and I believe you have calligraphy.  See you tomorrow, okay.”   Nodding, they let me walk into the music classroom.  Jameson ran up to me, a horrified look on his face.  Looking away in shame, the jealous glares began as his lips pressed against mine hungrily.  Marissa sauntered up to us, her tone sickening me. 

“A lady doesn’t walk around with a stain all day.” She taunted cruelly, pointing at the brown stains. “How unladylike.”  Everyone laughed, the pixie in the front of the room clearing his throat.  His black hair was slicked back, blue orbs gazing at me with curiosity.  White clear wings fluttered behind him, his ice blue suit hugging his small body.  

“Marissa, sit down, you are the one who sings like a dying cow.” He ordered sharply, a snarl curling on her lips.  “How well can you sing Alice?  I would like to evaluate your skills.  If you don’t sing, then play an instrument.”  Smiling to myself, I skipped to the golden stage he was standing on.  Everyone watched as I opened up the golden piano, my mother’s lullaby running through my head. 

“This is the song my mother used to sing to me when I was sad as a kid. So don’t hate me okay.” I pleaded anxiously, a familiar touch on my shoulder relaxing me.  Dragon was sitting down next to me, his hands ready to play.  A lump formed in my throat, the keys singing underneath my fingers. 

“Sweet little girl, I love you more than the world.” I sang, the glares softening into looks of wonder as he played the same song as me. “Let her wings carry you through your pain, the flame of the phoenix will guide you to safety.” My breath hitched, his smooth voice making goosebumps grow on my skin. 

“The golden dragon flies next to you.” He sang sweetly, playing away. “The two of them will bring light to the world, peace bathing the heart of the land.”  Stunned, he stopped playing.  Golden silence hung in the air, my mind wondering where he learned the song.  His lips kissed the top of my head, his hands wrapping around mine.  

“How did you know?” I stammered awkwardly, wondering how he knew the song. “I don’t unde-”  His brow cocked, sharp words on the tip of his tongue.  My heart fluttered, his kind eyes flicking to the wall and then me.  He was hiding something, and I needed to know.  The pixie cleared his throat, the magic of the moment fading.  

“I am Musico and if you two need more lessons, then feel free to hang out after class.” He offered warmly, our faces burning scarlet. “I can really see that you two love each other.  Do you mind if you two could go back to your seats, and do try out for the solos this year.  You two have the most wonderful voices that I have heard in a long time.”   The death glares returned as I sat in the back with my dragon, confusion racing through my mind.  Flicking through my memories, the one day that I was in his kingdom flashing in my head. 

“Who are you?” A black haired child asked the younger version of me rudely. “Why is a piece of demon trash in my castle?”  The younger me clenched up her fists, the left one swinging towards him.  Catching it mid-air, he tossed to the side. 

“I am Alice Hithero, and you are a jerk!” The younger me barked icily, turning away from him. “I hope to never see you again.”  Running off, my red dress fluttered in the wind, my tiny horns looking adorable on my head.  For hours, I had hidden in the garden.  A couple of footsteps alerted me, the boy and an older lady standing across from each other. 

“You are a disappointment and a failure.” She chastised him, his golden eyes welling up in tears. “You will never make a good emperor if you behave like your father. You can’t even pass the swordsman test yet, and you expect to be a man.”  Enough was enough, my tiny form leaping out from the bushes.  

“You leave him alone.” I retorted fiercely, stepping on her foot. “He is only a kid, so shut up!”  Huffing and puffing, she stomped away. Turning back to him, he was gone.  My face fell, my father running up to me.  His red hair hung around his eyes, his black horns curling around his head.  His mismatched eyes gazed lovingly into mine, his arms scooping me up.  A goofy grin danced across his black lips, my head snuggling into his chest.

Unable to take it anymore, I sprinted out of the room and straight into the arms of my former bullies. White masks bringing back bad memories, the last few years of school torturing my head.