Broken Curse

By RaShelle Workman

The Fairy Academy isn’t for the faint of heart. Aurora’s about to find out why.

In the under kingdom, Aurora wants to fit in, but no one will let her. To them, she’s a traitor.

There are those willing to kill her because of who she is and who her parents are. Pax is always around to help, but she can’t decide whether he’s helping her or playing her. Can she make new friends and find her way in her new school, or will she fail before she even has a chance to try?

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FAIRY ACADEMY SERIES:

Hidden Princess

Broken Curse

Stolen Magic

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Also by RaShelle Workman:

Blood and Snow

Fate and Magic

Queen of the Vampires

Deadly Witch

Royal Witch

Vampire Lies

Vampire Secrets

Vampires & Gargoyles

Vampires & Dragons

Vampire Magics

Visit RaShelle's website at: www.rashelleworkman.org for all her books!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Booklover Legion
• Release date: Apr 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005576226

RaShelle Workman

Booklover Legion brings together authors and readers who love: ya fairytale reimaginings, supernatural suspense, paranormal cozy mysteries, steamy contemporary romance, heartfelt romantic suspense, sweet romance, sexy ya science fiction, and paranormal romance.Authors include:RaShelle Workman ~ YA Fairytale ReimaginingsRachel James ~ Supernatural SuspenseBess Morgan ~ Paranormal Cozy MysteriesRuby Carr ~ Steamy Contemporary RomanceLayla Jones ~ Heartfelt Romantic SuspenseAnn Hardy ~ Sweet RomanceShelly Saber ~ Sexy YA Science FictionCaroline Asher ~ Paranormal RomanceBooklover Legion is a subsidiary of Polished Pen Press, LLC.

Book preview

Prologue

Before me is darkness and decay. My destiny awaits and I’m terrified it won’t be anything like I imagined.

Chapter One

It isn’t every day I get invited to attend a fairy academy and decide my boyfriend isn’t the one for me. In fact, before a few weeks ago, I never had a boyfriend. Lucretia’s summons is weird too. And also terrifying. I want to talk to Merida and Tiana about what happened. Ask their opinions. But if I do, then I have to tell them what I am… and I’m not sure they can handle my truth. Especially since I barely can.

Lucretia is gone, but her words echo through my mind as I stare out at the city beyond the roof of Hellgate High. It doesn’t matter that I’m trapped up here. I can’t stop thinking about what she said. Leave the human realm behind and attend the Fairy Academy in the under kingdom and maybe I’ll remove your curse.

Why maybe? I should’ve asked her to clarify. Will she let me live? What exactly does she mean when she says she’ll remove my curse? I think about shouting her name in the hopes she’ll return so we can talk more, but the wind picks up and a sulfurous odor fills the air. Gross. I wrinkle my nose and step back. An enormous bronze and gold dragon comes into view, blocking out the sun.

A strangled noise escapes my throat as I turn to run, but I slip on the gravel and fall. Rocks dig into my hands and pain radiates through my arms. The moisture dissipates from the air as the beast gets closer and I struggle to breathe. Leave me alone. I cough as I roll onto my knees but in my urgency, I slip again, collapsing on my elbows. More pain. Probably blood too, but I don’t have time to worry. I need to escape.

A part of my mind knows who the dragon is. Sure, he’s enormous, but he lands with hardly a noise. I watch in awe, hopeful I’m right and this is Troy, the boy I spoke to the night before. I call his name, but he doesn’t respond. Just beats his wings several times before folding them onto his back. They remind me of a bat’s.

I get to my feet. Brush off my hands and elbows, and decide what to do. The door is locked. I’m trapped up here with no way out.

Aurora. Wait. It’s me.

At the sound of his voice, I take a deep breath and calm my nerves. Troy?

That’s right.

Are you decent? I ask, my back still to him.

Decent? There’s laughter in the word.

Yeah, do you look like you instead of a dragon? My hand is on the doorknob and I shake it, wishing it would open.

In response, he laughs. I’m still in my dragon form. But there’s no need to be afraid. I won’t eat you. He pauses. Fairies are tasteless.

Rude. I slowly turn. He sits on his hind legs, like a dog waiting for a treat, his long tail curled around him. Aren’t you worried you’ll be seen? The government has spies, you know. People on the lookout for supernaturals.

That’s why I’ve come for you. He shakes his head, like he’s trying to get his hair out of his face. In dragon form, it looks funny. But to alleviate your fears, my magic cloaks me from everyone except those I want to see me. There’s a rumble in his throat like a raging fire.

I shudder. Got it. And my name is Rory not Aurora.

He crouches down so his head is nearly parallel with mine. Fine. Rory. He clears his throat, sending smoke from his mouth. Do you know who that was you were talking to moments ago? His voice quivers with emotion.

I nod. Lucretia, the fairy who cursed me.

He snorts. Shakes his body and morphs from his impressive dragon form into his human self.

As I watch an image of a dragon mating with a human comes to mind. Yuck. Troy said he was half dragon. By the look of it, he’s all dragon. It doesn’t seem possible that a dragon and human could be together in a romantic way, but what do I know. Until a few weeks ago, I wasn’t a fairy either.

I don’t even want to know where your mind went just now, he says, only slightly sarcastic.

I chuckle and look down at my shoes. They have gravel dust on them. No, you don’t. My phone pings before I can be too embarrassed. It’s a text from Carson.

You okay? I waited by your locker but didn’t see you.

Boyfriend? Troy asks, knowingly.

Yes.

Which one? He winks.

Ha-ha. I only have one, I say, trying to figure the dragon-guy out. He acts like he wants to be my friend, but I don’t get why.

So it’s the human, then? He steps close and I swear I can feel heat rolling off him.

Carson, I say as I step back.

Troy rolls his eyes. Popular guy. He pauses. By the way, you look really nice, he says, appraising me. I like your skirt.

I didn’t expect a compliment and it startles me. Thank you? I clear my throat. You look like you just finished basic training. He’s wearing camo pants, dark boots, and a black shirt. His dirty blond hair is long, though not as long as Pax’s. It looks good on him.

Yeah, well I did. He runs his hands through his hair and laughs. What did Lucretia want? He crosses his arms, leaning back on his heels.

First, what did you mean when you said you came for me? If he wants me to answer questions, he needs to answer mine first.

Touché. He tucks his hands in his pockets. You want the long story or the short one?

Short, I guess. It’s chilly out here. I want to go inside and get warm, though thankfully dragon-boy radiates heat. I shift closer.

He grunts. Eleven years ago, the vampire queen was defeated and a new one took her place. When that happened, she freed all supernaturals trapped in Sharra. Many came to the human realm and that’s when the problems started. He pauses. You remember that time?

I shake my head. I do, but only slightly. My aunties didn’t let me watch much news.

Yes, well, once the governments banned all magical creatures from this realm, several supernaturals, including Pops—I mean my father, took it upon themselves to search for those still here and help them, if possible. He moves a little closer. You are a supernatural, Rory.

I let the truth of his statement sink in. Holy daisies, you’re right. I turn away as the full weight of what I am fills me. The light within my chest pushes against my ribs, as though desperate to escape, but I push back. My aunties are supernaturals as well. We are in danger. When they brought me here, they weren’t breaking any laws, but now we all are. How can you help me?

Troy studies me intently a moment. I liked what you said about no one knowing how our story ends. A shadow crosses his face and I wonder if he’s read his story too. I talked to my dad about it and he suggested we invite you to attend the Seven Magics Academy. He pauses. It’s a school for all supernatural students.

Another academy? I shake my head.

What do you mean? He is so close I can smell his cologne, like clean laundry and a hint of vanilla.

Lucretia said she would lift my curse if I attend an academy in the under kingdom. I pause and glance up at him.

He’s shaking his head, suddenly furious. You can’t, he growls. Attend the Seven Magics Academy instead. At least there you won’t be taught dark magic.

I didn’t say yes. I don’t add that I want to. Instead I squeeze my hands into fists. But even if I did, the whole dark and light, good and bad. I shake my head. It’s ridiculous. My choices determine what I am, not my magic. I don’t know a thing about magic, yet I speak like I’m a pro.

I appreciate your point of view, but with respect, how do you know? He rolls his shoulders like he’s waiting for a fight.

It’s just… I feel it in my bones. I throw my hands in the air, frustrated.

If only I could help you find your good true love. He crosses his arms, his biceps bulging beneath his shirt.

Are you saying that’s you? I chuckle. Because I get the feeling dragons and fairies don’t usually get along.

He snorts. We get along fine, when we need to.

But you aren’t friends with any fairies? I walk over to the door and pull on the handle again. It still doesn’t budge.

We’re friends. Doesn’t that count? He stands beside me.

I laugh and glance at my phone. I hardly know you.

True, but we’re going to change that. He tries to look at my phone. You going to text him? He could come unlock the door for you. Quicker than I think a person can move, he grabs my phone and pretends to type. "Dear Carson. Please come and rescue me from the tall tower and the scary fire-breathing dragon." His voice is high and pretend girly.

I stomp my foot and reach out to grab my phone, but he lifts it above his head. Give me back my phone.

Sure. Or, I could just fly you down.

I feel my eyes get big. Really? The idea terrifies and excites me.

Sure. He touches his nose and clears his throat. But it might be hard to explain, especially if someone sees you floating off the roof like Dumbo holding a feather.

Is that a crack? He better not be commenting on my weight. That’s just not cool.

Understanding dawns on him. No, sorry. It’s just Dumbo can’t fly without help, and neither can you. Bad comparison. He shakes his head.

Ouch, I say, adjusting my shirt.

He