ZURI

The guards dragged me up the narrow stone steps, iron cuffs digging into my wrists to a chamber above. The Headmistress sat in her high-backed chair, her silver hair pulled tight. Beside her were the princesses, Fiona and Leila, faces painted in sympathy or smugness.

“Zira,” the Headmistress said. “You stand accused of starting a fire at the academy and stealing a dress from royalty. You betrayed the honor of Solace. Such insolence cannot be tolerated.” Her gaze slid ...