Page 27 of Siren’s Secret

Wave smiled. “And the others?”

“Princess and a Dragon. I was very fond of dragons for a time.” Irishen laughed softly and kept talking about the book. And the next one, and the next. Somewhere around book twenty, Wave fell asleep.

In the morning, she was bleary-eyed and yawning as she stumbled out of her room.

“Morning, sunshine,” Diana greeted her. “Chrissy had to run, but she left your outfit for the day over there.” She pointed at one of the chairs that seemed to hold something black and shiny. Gingerly, Wave lifted the garment up.

“What the hell is this?”

“That’s a jumpsuit,” Diane informed her helpfully. “Don’t worry, it’s not really see-through. We tested it. Ginny did some barrier spells on it and Chrissy vows that it won’t tear even if you fall from a cliff.”

“Reassuring,” Wave mumbled and gathered the thing into her arms. That revealed a pair of cute, sparkly ballerinas below.

“You can thank me for those.” Diana smirked. “I argued that the jumpsuit would be pushing it enough.”

“Well, thank you,” Wave huffed and rubbed her temples. “Please tell me we have coffee.”

Diana pointed at a large to-go cup on the counter. “Freshly delivered chocoffee.”

“What? Who?”

Diana quirked her brow, like Wave was an idiot. “Who do you think?”

“Headmaster Lassengoh,” Wave said hopefully.

Diana let out an unladylike snort. “That would have been a sight.”

Wave sighed and looked warily at Di. “Did he bother you?”

She shook her head, sobering up. “He was very tactful, texted Ginny ahead of time and knocked once. It’s fine, Wayla, really. You don’t need to tiptoe around me.”

“Uh-huh. Well, thanks for standing up for my toes. I better get ready. You have class in half an hour?”

“Yeah, but I can walk you to your class first.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Don’t make me call Ginny and tell her you are already defying her plan.”

Wave hastily retreated into her room. “I’ll be ready in ten.”

“Don’t forget your coffee,” Di called after her.

Chapter 15 – Wave

“What are they saying?” Wave asked Salis when they were walking to lunch. No one had pestered her directly, but rumors were running rampant. Salis sighed.

“Pretty much what you would expect. Lots of nothing about your love life.”

“And?”

“You don’t need to hear it, buttercup.”

“Just spit it out, pumpkin.”

“Your stormbringer status is pretty well spread by now. Don’t be surprised if they start calling you lady, or try to belittle your title.”

“Salis, I love you like an almost brother, but if you don’t stop avoiding the truth, I’m going to be a pain in your ass.”