Page 7 of Switched

“Yes, when Rosie got her head stuck in that willow tree on our hike?” Snow says with a laugh.

“Of course!” Beauty says. “We had to send for a flock of sparrows to peck her out.” She shakes her head. “That girl. So headstrong. How is she?”

Ella hesitates slightly. “A few more months at her summer cottage and some work with our fairy godmother Olivina, and she should be as good as new. We hope.”

Beauty nods. “A good fairy godmother like Olivina can do anything.” They all murmur in agreement.

Professor Harlow clears her throat. “I hate to interrupt such jolly merriment, but, Beauty, maybe you could tell the students a bit about the library before they head to class. This is a school, after all, and we can’t stand around all day reminiscing.” She gives Beauty a beatific smile that looks semi-sinister to me. The Evil Queen has that effect.

“Oh, of course!” Beauty says. “Raz told me she goes by her first name, so I hope you all will do the same for me. Beauty, or B, is fine,” she tells the students. “Sebastian would prefer that you call him Professor, of course. I will send your library class schedules via magical scroll this evening. They will contain library hours as well as policies on taking out books. As you’ve seen, certain books can only be used in the library.” She smiles. “But it’s such a lovely space. Why would you want to read anywhere else?”

Certain books can’t be checked out? Great! I bet any book on Rumpelstiltskin falls under that category. I raise my hand. “Can we take books out today?” Wilson squeaks in my pocket in agreement.

“Gillian.” Headmistress Flora sounds exasperated. “Have you looked around? We have much cleaning up to do before any books can be checked out.” She purses her lips. “Or should I say you have a lot of cleaning up to do.”

“Aye, detention is in order, lass,” says Professor Blackbeard. “I’m happy to run this one if you like, Flora, ol’ girl.”

“Beardie, I told you, we have to go over a few more detention rules before I can allow you to handle some of the detention periods.” Madame Cleo giggles. She swims across the mirror in Blackbeard’s hand, her mermaid tail glistening silver in the pale-blue waters. Her tail stops swishing. “If only I could remember what those rules are.”

“For now, Miss Gillian and her friends who were involved can serve detention in the library by helping clean up,” Flora says.

“Why are we in trouble?” Jocelyn complains. “We didn’t open the book.”

“You didn’t stop her either,” Flora reminds her. “You’ll all help Gillian clean up.”

“They can’t do it alone,” says Beauty. “This collection has some unique books that have to be handled delicately.” Her brown eyes light up. “But my daughter, Allison Grace, knows these books well and can help you. Allison?” She looks around. “Where are you, dear?”

A girl slightly younger than me steps slowly out of the crowd, her head bent so low that her brown, curly hair covers her face. She’s wearing a fluffy, pink gown with shiny gold shoes with tiny butterfly clips on them. Anna always wanted Father to make her shoes just like them. When the girl looks up, I suck in my breath. She even looks like Anna. Allison Grace stares at me shyly, and I feel a pang in my chest. I miss Anna so much that it hurts.

“This is Allison Grace,” Beauty tells us. “She’s going to be a new student at FTRS.” Beauty pulls Allison Grace’s hair off her face. I watch the girl move closer to her mother.

“If she’s royal, why isn’t she going to Royal Academy with the other royals?”

Of course that question comes from Tessa, our Royal Ladies-in-Waiting leader, who is eyeing Allison Grace with interest.

“If she went to RA like I once did, she’d be away from us.” Beauty hugs her daughter. “Our family agreed that keeping her close is for the best.”

“If Father had his way, I’d be homeschooled,” Allison Grace murmurs, and I’m the only one who laughs. She looks at me, and we share a smile. I can’t get over how much she looks like my sister. Is anyone else noticing the resemblance?

“You were homeschooled before,” the prince says, walking back over with Professor Wolfington. “I don’t see what’s so bad about continuing the same schooling in Enchantasia.” He looks at Flora. “Allison isn’t one for crowds.”

“Father,” the girl whispers, her face heating up.

“Which is why it will be wonderful for Allison Grace to take smaller classes, like the one you’re teaching,” Beauty says reassuringly. “Allison Grace is excited, aren’t you?”

“I guess.” She avoids looking at any of us.

“Sheltered much?” Jocelyn asks us.

Jax shrugs. “It happens sometimes. When you’re royal, you’re alone in a castle so much that sometimes you can’t relate to anyone outside those walls. Another reason I’m glad I go here.”

Our conversation is interrupted by the sound of a loud foghorn.

Blackbeard cheers. “Jolly roger, it’s working! Much better than chimes, eh, Flora?”

“That’s the new sentencing alarm?” Harlow looks livid. “I thought we decided on claps of thunder. These children coming in need to know we mean business!”

“I wanted a lovely wind-chime sound.” Madame Cleo sighs. “We don’t want to scare them off.”