The School for Good and Evil #2: A World without Princes by Soman Chainani Page A

Agatha, pulling a ring of keys. “None of the girls can know you’ve come.”
    Agatha looked up, dazed. “Why not?”
    â€œBecause unlike your two teachers, they think this is the best thing that’s ever happened,” said a honey-smooth voice.
    The two professors and two girls turned to see a tall, ravishing woman push through the door, milky smooth and full-bosomed in a teacher’s electric-blue dress decorated with a pattern of butterflies. She had a waterfall of chestnut hair to her midback, forest-green eyes under thick dark brows, a luscious pink mouth, and a gap between her two shiny front teeth.
    â€œMy brother’s office?” she said, biting her bee-stung lips. “I wasn’t aware it was where we held secret meetings.”
    â€œIt’s the only place we can’t be overheard,” Lady Lesso returned, her voice oddly tentative.
    â€œWell I do believe I should have been alerted to our honored guests,” the woman said breathily, turning to Sophie and Agatha. “After all, they are the reason this magnificent school exists.”
    The two girls gawped at her.
    â€œWe’ve been meticulously preparing for your arrival,” said the stranger, knitting her arched brows. “And we nearly may have missed it.” She flashed a look at the two teachers.
    Agatha shook her head. “But how did you know we were com—”
    â€œGoodness, you two look frightful,” the woman said, magically restoring their faces and dresses with her finger. Only Sophie’s dress magically lost its pink color too and drained blank white.
    Sophie grabbed her hem. “What happened to my—”
    â€œCome, girls.” The woman sashayed for the door. “We’ve put your books and schedules in your room.”
    â€œSchedules!” Professor Dovey launched to her feet. “You’re not thinking of them going to class, Evelyn!”
    The woman twirled. “As long as they are at my school, they will attend class and abide by the rules. Which includes staying in their school at all times. Surely you don’t object to the rules ?”
    Sophie and Agatha waited for the professors to indeed object, but Dovey and Lesso were curiously quiet, eyes on a pair of blue butterflies that had settled on the tips of their noses.
    â€œI see our former deans neglected to inform you about the most important change at your new school,” the stranger said, smiling at the two girls. “Evelyn Sader. Dean of the School for Girls. Sorry for the hurry. I don’t want to keep everyone waiting. Follow me, please.”
    As she turned and swept through the door, Sophie saw the two butterflies land on her matching dress and vanish magically into its pattern. She let out a breath of surprise. “Keep who waiting?”
    As more butterflies fell into her dress, the beautiful woman didn’t look back.
    â€œ Your army,” she said, as if she’d just listened to their entire conversation.

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
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6
Her Name Is Yara
    â€œ A n army dedicated to producing stories just like yours ,” said Dean Sader, clacking through the sun-washed breezeway from Valor to Honor in her blue-glass heels. “Your tale was just a taste of what princesses and witches can do together. Here you will lead an entire school!”
    â€œA school—” Agatha choked, chasing her down the Honor stairs. “We need to go home!”
    â€œYou see, the former deans and I have a difference of opinion,” said Dean Sader as butterflies flew in from every direction and vanished into her dress. “They think you must leave our world to find your happy ending together. And I think you must stay .”

    â€œBut the boys are going to kill me!” Sophie said, bumping Agatha hard as she passed—
    â€œMmmm, let’s say you do