Dragon Fire Academy 1: First Term: an RH academy romance

  Dragon Fire Academy 1:

  FIRST TERM

  a series written by Rachel Jonas

  Dragon Fire Academy: First Term

  Copyright © 2019, Rachel Jonas

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including, but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Rachel Jonas (R.C. Jonas).

  This e-book is licensed for personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Table of Contents

  Dragon Fire Academy 1

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Bonus Content

  THE LOST ROYALS SAGA

  Dragon Fire Academy 1

  Synopsis

  Seriously? Four dragon warriors need to stalk my every move? I get it; they think I’m dangerous, but I’m only on their island to learn. Not to destroy it.

  This is another unfortunate side-effect of being the freak who descended from all three supernatural lineages. The bloodthirsty dragons, the destructive wolves, and the disloyal witches. Some believe that, when I transition in a few months, there’s a slight, teeny tiny chance I could unleash hell on the supernatural world. Call me crazy, but I’d know if I harbored that kind of power inside me.

  … Wouldn’t I?

  My entire life, all I’ve wanted was to be normal. Hence the reason I didn’t think twice about trading in my crown for a stack of books. I’ve got three terms on this island to prove the naysayers wrong, including my chaperones—Kai, Ori, Paulo, and Rayen.

  These four are gorgeous, but also ominous as heck. Babysitting me has clearly taken their focus off something they’ve deemed more important. So, now they go out of their way to make my life a living hell, with hopes that I’ll give up and leave.

  Thanks, guys.

  You could cut the tension between us with a knife, but what’s weird is I don’t hate them all the time. There are even odd moments when I catch them watching me. And not in their usual “wish-you-were-dead” sort of way.

  Even if I survive the academy, there’s still no guarantee these four and I won’t kill each other before graduation.

  ***

  Note: DRAGON FIRE ACADEMY is an upper YA/NA reverse harem romance. This series will take you on a brand-new journey with a descendant of the beloved Seaton Falls shifters, featured in THE LOST ROYALS SAGA. So, keep an eye out for cameos from some of your favorite characters! New readers, rest assured; it’s completely unnecessary to read the first five books before embarking on this fresh chapter set in a world filled with fierce wolves, hotheaded dragons, and powerful witches you don’t want to cross.

  Thank you for your purchase!

  Come hang out in “The Shifter Lounge” on Facebook! We chat, recommend YA Paranormal Romances, and engage in other random acts of nerdiness. We also have tons of giveaways, exclusive ARC offers from me, and guest appearances by some of your favorite YA authors!

  For all feedback or inquiries:

  author.racheljonas@gmail.com

  Chapter One

  Noelle

  The Council assured us that all acceptance letters would be delivered shortly after nightfall. Being invited to tryout didn’t mean I was a shoo-in, which meant the only break I’d been given was being permitted to skip the application process. From there, no one had taken it easy on me.

  I’d come home at night with enough bruises to prove it.

  Now, after six months of rigorous testing, it boiled down to this—one life-defining moment with the power to rewrite my entire future.

  Some sicko thought it wise to mandate that all academy hopefuls show their faces at the ceremonial departure. Even those who were set to receive a big fat “NO” from the Selection Panel. The event was only truly meant for those who’d been accepted, which meant it would feel like pouring salt in a fresh wound for everyone else.

  It was still too soon to say whether or not I would fall into the ‘everyone else’ category.

  While waiting, I got into uniform for the ceremony, hoping to dispel some nervous energy. It wasn’t the green, pleated skirt and blazer worn by the model on the academy’s brochure. Instead, we were told to arrive at the Elders’ Chamber by midnight, dressed in the logoed t-shirt and cargo pants assigned to us during training.

  There was a look of dread masking my father’s face as I laced my boots. A look that nearly broke my heart, but I hid it. The thought of me leaving came as quite the devastating blow to him in particular. We were always close, so he knew my dreams would one day require me to fly the coop, but maybe not so soon.

  My body slumped sideways with a laugh when he dropped down to sit on the edge of the bed, his solid mass throwing me off balance. I shifted toward him—the man most only saw as a stone-cold brute. However, to Mom, my siblings and I, he had only ever been a softy whose bark was way worse than his bite.

  Leaning on his shoulder, it was sobering to glance around my bedroom, knowing this could be the last I’d see of it for a while.

  “Not sure I’m ready for this,” he admitted with a sigh.

  The weary smile he forced when I peered up only made me sadder. He wasn’t one to let his emotions show, but there was no missing how he fought to conceal them now.

  “Nonsense. You’ve got this,” I teased. “Besides, what’s important is that I’m ready, and I definitely am.”

  His gaze lowered. “I know. You’ve trained and studied hard, plus you’ve got natural instinct.”

  I smirked at the compliment. “It’s not just the training, though. You and Mom did a pretty okay job too.”

  His smile softened, and it was impossible not to see so much of myself in him. I’m often told we’re just alike. Not only because of how much I favor him—the dark hair and hazel eyes I inherited—but I’ve, apparently, taken on his stubbornness and blind bravery as well. Although, that last part still had yet to be proven.

  His were big shoes to fill, and since I was old enough to know what a hero was, he’d been mine.

  My fingers locked with his and I focused on our hands, our matching compass tattoos. When I was young, I used to sit on his lap, tracing the inked pictures, listening as he told the stories that inspired each one—many of which involved my mother. Their love had seeped into my life, and it was this powerful bond that I’d hold on to while I was away.

  I peered up again, staring into the eyes of the fiercest dragon that ever lived. Doin
g so, it was easy to understand why I had to take a shot at getting into Dragon Fire Academy, and would eventually use that as leverage to join the Guard. There was a reason the idea of one day wearing dog tags around my neck appealed to me more than holding a regal title. I’d gotten it honestly.

  After all, the blood of a warrior ran through my veins.

  “I’ll be fine, you know.” My gaze lowered after speaking, and my eyes landed on the ring that never left my finger—a gift from my great-aunt, Hilda.

  It had once been the only thing that kept me from losing control of my powers, but since emerging from that dark phase, the piece served as a reminder of how far I’d come.

  “You can handle yourself. If I doubted that for one second, trust me, you never would’ve been allowed to enter the trials.”

  Those words left my father’s mouth with unwavering certitude, causing me to peer up at him.

  “My only request is that, once you’re accepted into the academy, you’ll steer clear of danger,” he continued. “And promise you won’t let anyone pressure you into behaving like a hero.”

  He stared with a firmness I’d seen many times throughout the years. Without a doubt, it was a sign he meant business.

  I thought about his statement long and hard. “You have my word I’ll never put myself in unnecessary danger.”

  When his expression didn’t change, I knew he hadn’t missed how I sidestepped the vow he hoped to hear declared tonight. While, no, I would never aim to be heroic, I couldn’t say I’d never take chances, would never take a risk if it meant helping someone else. I hadn’t lied to my father since I was a kid and had no reason to revive the habit now.

  “Noelle, no one would think less of you if you gave yourself a little more time,” he reasoned, turning to face me. “You can head to the academy next year. Or even asking for a short extension until after your birthday, might be wise. At least until everything—”

  “Not happening,” I cut in.

  The last thing I wanted was to jeopardize my chances, especially seeing as how I’d been given a special invitation to attend tryouts. Besides, we had this conversation enough times for him to know I wouldn’t change my mind. I had to prove once and for all that I could handle things on my own.

  Prove it to my family.

  Prove it to myself.

  My father’s concerns weren’t completely unfounded—this coming birthday was the big one. Being accepted to DFA would mean I’d have to endure the agony of my very first transformation on my own, without my family. It would also mean my wolf and dragon would suddenly awaken, possibly causing my magic to behave strangely. If that happened, it would be up to me to rise to the challenge of controlling all three.

  It seemed most doubted I was capable of such a thing, but that was partly because I was the only one of my kind—a wolf, dragon and witch hybrid. To put it plainly, no one else existed who possessed all three attributes, and the Council had no real way of knowing what would happen on D-day.

  However, I had faith. Not only had I learned how to successfully harness my magic, I also had a solid plan B should things not go the way I imagined.

  “You’re stubborn, you know that? Just like your mother, and it scares the heck out of me.” It surprised me when Dad smiled a little before planting a kiss in the center of my forehead.

  I couldn’t help but to think of their story when he mentioned my mother. She’d done many things in the past that nearly worried him to death. It was just in her nature to see to the heart of a matter when no one else could, to dive headfirst into situations most would run away from. My Gram, Elise, called it her superpower.

  Inheriting that trait didn’t sound so bad to me.

  There was no doubt that Mom’s strength had been important in my journey. To start, my dad never would’ve allowed me to explore my own path—a somewhat precarious one at that—had she not reminded him of the course their own had taken.

  From what he’s shared throughout the years, it seemed she taught him many lessons that molded them as a pair, and him as a man. The one he believed to be most impactful was being taught to have faith in others. He learned he couldn’t hold a loved one back from their purpose simply because he feared what lay ahead. She proved to him, over and over again, that those of us he fought so fiercely to protect were strong and capable, because of him. It took a lot of convincing, but he eventually agreed that the decision to enter the trials was mine to make.

  “We should head downstairs,” I announced. “The letter will be here any minute.”

  A tight squeeze around my shoulders made me wish I could stay in the safety of his arms forever.

  “Whatever it says,” he assured me with a warm smile, “I’m already proud of you. And wherever you end up, whatever you experience out there, there will still be a place here for you. This will always be your home, Noelle.”

  I never questioned that, but it was still nice to hear.

  Blinking away the one tear that managed to break through, I nodded. “Always.”

  His hand slipped from behind his back, and it was then that I realized he’d been hiding something.

  “It came?” I gasped. “When?”

  Staring at the slender, black envelope, it seemed surreal. For so long, I’d been dying to know if I would be accepted, and now my dad was placing the answer right in my hands.

  “Open it,” he insisted, as if what I held didn’t mean everything to me.

  “I will, but … give me your word first.”

  “What is it?” he asked. I peered up to find him staring with a confused half-smile.

  Swallowing the lump in my throat, my mouth felt incredibly dry. “If it says they don’t want me, if it says I’m a big loser who shouldn’t have been invited in the first place, promise me I don’t have to show my face at the ceremonial departure. I know I put on all my gear and everything, but if I’m being honest … I’m not sure I’ll be able to pull myself together by then.”

  When I finished rambling, he was doing his best to hold in a laugh.

  I was taken by my shoulders and his calm demeanor gave me strength. “Noelle, stop planning to fail and just open the letter,” he asserted.

  My heart was pounding, and my hands shook like you’d never believe, but I managed to break the envelope’s purple seal. He watched as I scanned the beautiful, handwritten penmanship. Then, when my eyes stretched wide and I gazed up, he knew.

  “I’m in,” I whispered in disbelief. The short sentence was barely out before tears stung my eyes. “I did it!” I squealed. “You’re looking at an official student of Dragon Fire Academy.”

  ***

  I often wondered if ‘creepy’ was exactly the look the Elders were going for when they established themselves in a basement, beneath another basement, situated below the town library.

  I mean, there was really only one vibe you could accomplish in a setting like this.

  Being here made it feel as though we had stepped back in time. With the eerie ambiance, I imagined this to be what walking through the catacombs must feel like. Minus the claustrophobic tunnels and human remains scattered about.

  At least, I didn’t think they had that last part in common. But the Council did have their share of secrets, so who really knows, right?

  I’d been down here too many times to count, and even with my mother’s security detail escorting us, I still felt uneasy. It wasn’t customary for royalty to be protected by other members of the royal family, but anyone who’d seen my uncles—living legends in their own right—would understand why their presence was more than sufficient. The five wolf-dragon hybrids had been likened to walls with legs for good reason. In short, no one who crossed them lived to tell the story.

  They surrounded us and we moved as one solid unit. Since Mom had taken the throne, there had never been an uprising or a breach of any kind, but per my father’s insistence, our family was heavily guarded at all times.

  PTSD from things that happened before my time, I’m told
.

  I had no clue how he planned to cope once I was no longer sleeping within the fortress surrounding our manor, but he promised I wouldn’t be followed to the academy. However, knowing him, he’d found a loophole.

  We still hadn’t made it down the endless, winding stairwell. The only light came from torches mounted on the stone walls. When I was a kid, I used to insist my parents let me walk between them, holding both my hands as we descended. Today, as I walked on my own like I’d done for many years now, it felt symbolic for this step I prepared to take.

  I still couldn’t believe I got in.

  “If you don’t stop shoving me, Evan, I swear!” Lea was practically growling through her gritted teeth.

  I peered over my shoulder to find my sister glaring at her twin. They bickered more than they got along, and it saddened me a little to know I wouldn’t be around to mediate anymore. As much as I got tired of playing referee to two stubborn fifteen-year-olds, I’d kind of miss them.

  “Quiet,” Mom scolded with a whisper, and a stern look she passed over her shoulder. “People expect you three, in particular, to be on your best behavior. Please don’t embarrass me,” she begged, adding a weary, “ … again.”

  Lea’s tongue darted out to mock Evan, who made a crude gesture with a certain finger. Lucky for him, Dad missed it. That would’ve certainly earned him a smack to the back of his head.

  At the bottom of the staircase, it was so silent you would have thought we entered a room that held a few dozen, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Thousands of supernaturals from the surrounding region—dragons, lycans and witches—had come out in droves. Some in support of loved ones who endured the trials, others out of curiosity to see who’d been selected.

  My heart raced at the sight of them all, and it sped up when every eye in the room shifted to us, my family. I’d gotten good at hiding how unnerving it was to be the center of attention, but the feeling was always there. Especially when I wanted nothing more tonight than to blend in with the other candidates.

  It wasn’t lost on me that a fair number of local contenders didn’t even think I deserved the chance to compete for a spot. With space being limited, and because I wasn’t quite of age just yet, they looked at my being there like I’d stolen the opportunity from someone who’d already shifted.