Spindles And Spells: Grimm Academy Series, #2

By Laura Greenwood

Sleeping Beauty refuses to believe in Once Upon A Time.

 

Her whole life, Briar has been told about her fate, but she doesn't believe a word. Now she's forced to go to Grimm Academy along with all the other fairy tale characters trying to avoid their tales. 

 

When she finds a spindle in one of the tallest towers, she begins to believe, but is it already too late?

 

Welcome to Grimm Academy, where fairy tale characters go to escape their foretold fate. 

 

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Spindles And Spells is part of the Grimm Academy fantasy fairy tale romance series and is a standalone retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It includes a fairy tale heroine determined to save herself and a sweet m/f romance. 

 

If you enjoy fairy tale retellings, fantasy academy settings, friendship, prophecies, strong heroines, and sweet romance, start the Grimm Academy series!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drowlgon Press
• Release date: Feb 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393924258

Laura Greenwood

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she drinks a lot of tea, tries to resist French macarons, and works towards a diploma in Egyptology. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set. Laura specialises in quick reads, with healthy relationships and consent positive moments regardless of if she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-heavy urban fantasy, or anything in between. You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in The Paranormal Council Facebook Group. Happy Reading!

Book preview

One

Grimm Academy. Otherwise known as the last place I want to be. Something my parents are well aware of. But that doesn't matter to them, not when their main focus is allegedly keeping me safe.

From where I'm standing, destroying all the spinning wheels and then letting me get on with my life seems like an easier thing to do. But what do I know? I'm just a lowly princess who does what she's told. One day, maybe I'll marry a prince and then we can inherit father's throne together.

I grimace at the very idea of that. I don't want to play second fiddle to anyone. Especially not some prince who probably had no chance at ruling without me. I'm the heir presumptive, and am treated as such, except in this one way.

Which led to this. I didn't want to come to the academy, and yet, here I am. All because I want to be queen in my own right someday. Father promised that if I came here without a fuss, he would consider changing the law for me and calling me his heir.

I hope he sticks to that promise. While I don't want to be here on principle, they have an excellent record of diplomacy lessons, along with other things that could help a future ruler. I may be here under protest, but that doesn't mean I don't want to make the most of it.

I cough loudly to gain the attention of the receptionist. She doesn't seem to think it's worth paying attention.

Good morning, dear, what can I do for you? she asks, a bored sounding tone in her voice.

I want to correct her that I'm a your highness, not a dear, but I don't think it's a good idea. I'm not the only princess here. Pulling rank isn't likely to go down very well.

I'm new here, I say instead.

She nods. Not surprising, we seem to have had an influx of new students recently. She leans forward and cups her hand to the side of her mouth. Lots of people reaching the age their prophecies are due to start, I think.

A weak smile twists at my lips. That's me too. Eighteen and now having to come face to face with the reality of having a prophecy hanging over my head. Even if I don't personally believe in it, that doesn't mean others don't.

What's your name? she asks, looking over her glasses and looking me up and down as if it will reveal my name.

Princess Briar, I respond, suddenly self-conscious about my title, as if I don't deserve it here.

I'm sure you've read academy policy about titles? she asks, scribbling a note on my file.

I bite my lip and nod. Maybe this is why I'm feeling so on edge. I have.

Alright then, Briar...

I flinch. Only my parents ever call me by my given name alone, it's odd to hear it coming from someone else. I have to get used to it. While some people will use my title, it's seen as a courtesy, not a necessity. If people don't want to use it, they don't have to. It's not a policy I particularly approve of.

...Your room is on the third floor. This is your key. Your schedule, map, and welcome packet are all on the desk in there. Do you have any luggage with you?

Yes. I point over to the two neatly packed cases waiting by the door.

Excellent. Can you manage them, or do you need someone to help?

My mouth falls open. I have to lug them with me up three flights of stairs? As much as I don't want to, I also don't want to draw the wrong kind of attention to me by saying no.

I'll manage.

Good. The stairs are at the end of the hall. There's an enchantment button at the bottom you can use for your bags.

Thank you. I wait for a moment, trying to work out if she has any more of an explanation about what I'm supposed to do here.

Welcome to Grimm Academy. She grins and I take that as my sign to leave.

I grab my cases, adjusting to the weight of them easier than I think I will. I glance over at the woman behind the desk, but she's not watching me any longer, having turned back to whatever task she'd been doing before I interrupted.

Let's hope I got her instructions right.

I head over to the hallway to the left, the one that should have the enchantment at the bottom. Sure enough, there it is. I press the button and wait. My cases lift off the floor and begin to rise up the stairs. Useful, if not something I'm used to. I carefully pull my skirts out of the way, allowing me to climb the stairs behind my bags. And this is why the enchantment is needed, proper attire doesn't allow for climbing up stairs while carrying anything.

Once I'm at the top, I follow her instructions to get to my room.

I juggle my belongings down the corridor until I find a door with my name on it. Huh, I guess I'm not sharing then. That's good news at least. I'm used to having my own space and I'm not keen to give up on that quite yet.

I slot the old fashioned key into the lock and wait until I hear a click. I quite like the feel of the heavy metal in my hand. It reminds me I'm in a castle. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that while thinking about the academy, but this place is probably the same age as my home.

The door opens into a medium-sized room. There's more space than I expect, with a large bed, and a solid oak desk. Plus, a small restroom. I'm glad I don't have to share that, either. I'm sure I'll have to call on the maids if I want a bath, but having somewhere private to see to my other needs is good.

I put my cases down. I know I have to unpack, but that can wait. My parents taught me the best way to look after all my clothes when I was younger. Well, not them exactly. But they made sure I spent time with various members of the staff in order for me to learn necessary life skills. I've always been grateful for it.

I flop back into the comfortable looking chair and move myself closer to the desk, examining the information in front of me. Most of it is what I expect. No passing notes in class, a certain level of dress is expected, show respect for my other students. None of it is anything less than I expected.

Now what? I ask myself, searching through everything in the hope of finding the promised timetable.

I pull it out and study it. Nothing unexpected there, either. Diplomacy, dancing, politics...dry, boring, and things I've been doing since I was old enough to walk. It doesn't mean there's not going to be anything interesting in the classes, but the thought of going to them doesn't excite me much.

I check the time. There's an induction that starts in fifteen minutes, and after that, there's an alchemy lesson. That one sounds interesting enough that I should go, even if I'm not expected to on my first day. Most students don't go to lessons on day one, especially as the academy only closes at Yuletide, and students can start at almost any age. Most come when their parents learn about their prophecies, others, when those prophecies are about to start. As far as I'm aware, there are some students who have nothing to do with them and are only here to learn, even some on scholarships. I suppose this place probably isn't too bad if you choose to come here. Which means there's a constant influx of new people here. I'm not sure if I like the structure or not. Time will tell.

Rising to my feet, I dust off the skirt of my dress. If I want to go, then I don't have time to change. I think I look okay, though.

At least, I hope so.

I check my bag to make sure I have all the paper, pens and everything else that I need. Maybe there's something else I require for Alchemy, but I hope not. My parents whisked me off here the moment I said yes, I haven't had time to do any shopping or preparing.

I stand up straight. I'm Briar, Princess and heir to my father's throne. I'm not going to let myself chicken out of going to class. With that, I head for the door, ready to face whatever Grimm Academy throws at me.

Two

The room doesn't have many people in it. There's a group of boys at the far side of the room, and one other girl already sitting in one of the chairs and waiting for the Headmistress to arrive.

I don't join either of them, but take a seat on my own and wait patiently. I have no idea what they're going to do in an induction. I suppose run over some of the rules in case we didn't read them before arriving. I