Interspecies Social Studies: Ember Academy for Magical Beings, #5

By L.C. Mawson

If I can't convince every High Priestess to change their mind, the Great Dragon I'm bonded to is dead...

When I swore an oath of fealty to the other Dragons before taking my trial, I didn't think they would make me kill Xiatyan.

Now I only have a few weeks to convince every High Priestess that they made a mistake, or it will be my magic that ends him.

They should change their minds when they learn the truth, as long as nothing stops me from being able to tell them...

INTERSPECIES SOCIAL STUDIES is the fifth book in the Ember Academy for Magical Beings New Adult slow-burn Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy Academy series. If you love bisexual heroines struggling to find their place in their world, dragon-related mysteries, and magical universities, you'll love this latest fast-paced series in L.C. Mawson's Snowverse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.C. Mawson
• Release date: Aug 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201728670

Book preview

Chapter One

Jamie, Nyssa, Hell and I returned to Nyssa’s room at Ember Academy, and I nearly passed out from exhaustion as soon as my feet hit safe ground.

Jamie held me tight, keeping me upright, but I could feel through the bond that they were exhausted as well.

Here, Nyssa said as I steered Jamie over to one of Nyssa’s soft chairs, figuring that we both needed to be off our feet. You two need healing.

Hell nodded as zie made zir way over, zir magic joining Nyssa’s as a healing spell washed over me and Jamie.

Once I could think straight, I turned to Nyssa, doing my best to keep my voice level. Nyssa, when Renan was making the case for killing Xiatyan, why didn’t you bring up the fact that I can talk to him? Wasn’t the whole point of me doing this that once I was a High Priestess, the others would trust me when I told them that Xiatyan isn’t a threat?

Nyssa sighed, exchanging a grave look with Hell. Most of the Priestesses don’t know that you’re Xiatyan’s chosen bride, Skye. You were so young when you were chosen, and we were so worried about the others’ reactions... We only told Renan, and Hell swore them to secrecy. We’ve told a select few others that Xiatyan has chosen a new bride, but not that it was you.

But once it became clear what Renan was doing, you could have told them. I couldn’t because the silencing spell was still up, but you could have argued for it to be taken down.

Nyssa shook her head before placing a hand on her hip, her healing magic finally lapsing. Skye, I have been a High Priestess for many, many centuries, and I have been in many of those meetings. I know how to read a room, and I can tell you with near certainty that nothing would have changed the outcome of this vote. She sat down next to me, her hand resting on my shoulder. I am sorry, Skye. I told you that speaking out in favour of Xiatyan would be enough, but I fear that I underestimated how much resentment the others have for the Great Dragons. Don’t get me wrong, things were not good in the Vulcan Plains when I was exiled, but the Great Dragons did not choose to exile me, they exiled me to keep their Human pets happy. I never blamed them, I blamed the Humans for their ignorance, but it seems things got worse after I left, and I failed to realise just how deep those scars still run.

I groaned, leaning back in my chair, looking up at the ceiling for a moment before turning back to Nyssa. Xiatyan was put in that prison by the other Great Dragons because he objected to the way they treated the Humans. If they resent the Great Dragons for that, he’s actually their ally. And I could have told them that if you’d gotten them to lower the silencing spell.

Perhaps. Or perhaps they wouldn’t have agreed to lower the spell, even knowing that you’re his bride, and you would have been exiled, changing nothing about the vote. As it is, you are still a High Priestess, and we might still be able to fight this. The spell Renan wants to use will take time to set up, and that is time we can use to talk to other High Priestesses in private. If we can find enough people to object, we can perhaps get Renan to put a stop to this.

I nodded, suppressing a sigh as I struggled to keep my eyes open. I was so exhausted... All right, I guess it’s the best plan we have.

Nyssa gave me a small smile. Hell and I will start reaching out to our friends right away. For now, you and Jamie should get some rest. You look tired, and given that today was your first time fully changing form, however tired you feel is probably just the tip of the iceberg. I shall reach out to your other teachers and get you excused from classes for the next few days.

I nodded once more, words feeling beyond me as I pushed myself to my feet, leaning on Jamie as much as he was leaning on me as we got to our feet.

We both stumbled as we walked, struggling to keep each other upright, though Jamie seemed at least a little more steady than me.

How are you feeling? they asked as we left the teaching building, heading back to halls.

I sighed, leaning further into him. Like crap, to be honest. We went through this whole trial to save Xiatyan, but now we’re going to have to kill him, and with the bond... We have access to his magic, Jamie. If we have to use our full power to kill him...

We’ll be killing him with his own magic, Jamie finished for me.

I just leaned further into them. It doesn’t matter. Nyssa and Hell will reach out to their friends, and we’ll convince them to change their minds. We have to.

I then stopped, turning to him. I don’t want to talk about this any more. There’s nothing we can do about it right now, so we should focus on the positives.

Like the fact that we passed the trials? And that you managed to transform into your dragon form.

And the fact that we managed to pass the trials by communicating through the bond.

I reached out, taking their hand in mine as I sent a wave of my feelings through the bond, just as they had during the trial.

They responded immediately with the exact same feeling, and I couldn’t help but gasp as I leaned closer, our lips just moments apart as they met my gaze with an intensity that would have shocked me if it wasn’t a mere shadow of what the bond was conveying.

So, Jamie said, his voice hoarse, are we going to keep just sending this feeling through the bond, or is one of us going to say it aloud?

I smiled. Well, you were the one to send it first.

He shook his head, returning my grin. All right, then. Skye, I love you. More than I ever thought possible.

I love you too, and if it wasn’t for this bond, I would fear that I would never be able to tell you exactly how much.

He closed the space between us, pulling me into a kiss, and the bond between us surged.

I gasped against their lips, more than eager to feed the bond as much as possible.

He smiled into the kiss before pulling away. As much as I would love that, they said, and I realised that I had sent my thoughts through the bond, we should get back to our room, and to the others. We’re both exhausted, and I think being closer to the rest of the bonded will help. As will sleep.

Okay, okay, you’re right, I said, following as they led me back to our room.

You’re back! Lorelei said, sitting up straight as we arrived back in the room. What happened? Did you pass the trials?

Exhaustion washed over me at the questions, and Jamie put their hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently, and I knew through the bond that they would be happy to answer the questions.

I used what little strength I had to get into my pyjamas and crawl into bed as Jamie told the others exactly what had happened, and sleep overtook me.

Chapter Two

Iawoke in the remains of Xiatyan’s prison, and quickly realised that the others weren’t with me.

I must have fallen asleep before them.

Xiatyan swiftly approached, taking my hands in his. Skye, what happened? Did you pass your trial?