Chapter Eighteen

“You cannot keep avoiding your lessons with me, Leah,” said her dark tutor. “It will only reflect badly on you.”

She glared at him, almost defying him to try something… anything. She’d already endured his patronising tutelage for nine days and wondered how much longer she’d have to stomach it.

“You must know that the sooner we’re done here, the sooner you can leave and banish your misery by erasing Shalyer from his miserable existence.”

Still she said nothing.

He shrugged. “Let me see if you can manage to channel the magic through your sword. Your previous attempts have been nothing short of pathetic.”

Gripping her sword, Leah coiled energy around her hands. She narrowed her eyes, concentrating on not allowing too much magic to flow down the length of the blade. When she’d tried this previously with the practice swords, they’d all burst into flame, one after another. Trying to keep hold of the energy and only allow the precise amount to spill down the sword was more difficult than anything she’d ever attempted before.

“No! That is too much. You will melt the blade.”

Grimacing, Leah struggled to withdraw the energy. Scared of damaging her sword, she dropped it and fired off an orb instead.

The tutor nonchalantly shot a smaller orb at hers and it dissipated. “Again.”

Breathing deeply, she retrieved her sword. This time, she barely allowed any energy to charge the blade. She forced herself to ignore his mocking laughter. And tried again. This attempt was a touch better, but still not enough to cause lasting harm. On and on Leah persisted as sweat beaded her brow.

Until finally… She knew she’d achieved success when he silently raised his brow. A barely noticeable smile was followed by one nod. She had to smile, she couldn’t help it. She stared in wonder at her sword, pulsating with the magic that energised it.

“What are you waiting for? Withdraw the magic.”

Her smile disappeared as elation turned to resentment. Surely, he could allow her more time to savour her achievement. Steadying herself, she started to pull the energy back into her hands. It was like trying to tame a wild horse. It kept jerking away from her. The sweat that dampened her arms made it difficult to maintain her grip on the sword.

“What is the matter?” he said. “You will only be successful in this endeavour once you can withdraw the magic as well. It is pointless doing one without the other.”

Clenching her jaw, aware of her pounding heart, Leah slowly turned to face him and stood with legs planted wide. Instead of withdrawing the magic back into her hands, she shot it out the point of her blade. A stream of energy crackled in the space between them before exploding at his feet. To his credit, he stood his ground. But Leah spied the barely perceptible flinch. She allowed herself the smallest of smiles as she waited for his reaction.

He didn’t disappoint. Eyes wide, muscles straining against his skin, he bared his teeth in a snarl. His fists glowed with the magic coiled around them. But nothing happened. Shaking, he stopped and growled something unintelligible.

Leah frowned at his apparent struggle to bring his emotions under control. She was surprised to feel a twinge of disappointment; only in that moment did she realise she’d been anticipating fighting him.

“Do not ever dare threaten me like that again, mortal.”

“Or what?” Leah couldn’t help herself. A small part of her quailed in the face of her stubborn defiance, but the rest of her wanted this confrontation. “You’ll stare harshly at me again?”

Nostrils flaring, he took another step towards her. Again, he stopped abruptly as if he’d come up against an invisible wall. “It is not worth my humiliation.”

“Yes, it is,” said a deep, disembodied voice.

Leah started, almost collapsing to her knees in fright. She’d know that horrifying voice anywhere. She tensed, waiting to be admonished for her audacity. To her amazement, she remained untouched, unmolested.

Her tutor glared at her. “Enough for today.” And he was gone.

A slow smile stole across her face. Belosh had defended her, reprimanded one of his own for threatening her. Now, these sessions didn’t seem so bad after all. Not if she could push the boundaries, albeit only slightly. It would seem that all Belosh required of her was that she become adept at using magic, and destroy Shalyer. Apparently, any small show of disrespect to her tutor was allowed, so long as she didn’t overdo it.

Chuckling, she retrieved her sword as she made her way to her towel and scabbard. She sat on the lowered rim that bordered the training area and re-sheathed the sword, before wiping the sweat from her face and arms. As she wiped the back of her neck, she sensed someone approaching. Her movements slowed but she didn’t turn. “Hello, Conor.”

“How did you know it was me?”

She shrugged then stood, towel in hand.

“You spend a lot of time practising.”

“The only way to improve.”

“You do a lot of it alone.”

“I do what suits me... though sometimes I practice with others.” When he remained silent, she started to walk away. Being this close to him was more difficult than she’d imagined.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said.

“I’ve been busy.”

“It’s more than that– Don’t turn away. I only want to talk.” He reached for her hand.

She flinched away. “There’s nothing to say. We agreed–”

“You agreed.”

His words made her meet his gaze… and she was trapped. Her eyes widened when she saw the dare in his; it took her back to their younger days when he would challenge her to follow his pranks.

His hand found hers as he stepped closer. “What are you afraid of?”

“I’m... not...”

Everything around her seemed to lose focus as she wondered if he was willing to take a chance with her. And as she wondered, the illicit thought formed again in her mind: to use his feelings, manipulate his feelings...

This time, she didn’t deny it and the solution was allowed to present itself to her subconscious. With barely any effort, her mind latched onto the energy-streams between her and Conor. The towel fell to the ground as her hand strayed to his cheek.

His eyes widened slightly.

“Conor? Are you in here?”

Leah was vaguely aware that they were no longer alone. But she didn’t want to stop, not when she was so close to gaining her heart’s desire. A sharp, stinging pain burst against her face. The spell broken, she stumbled back and stared.

“Veha?” said Conor, sounding dazed.

“What’s going on?” Veha’s voice shook.

“Did you hit me?” Leah rubbed her cheek.

Veha turned to Conor. “I come to look for you and find you with her–”

“You hit me.” With a snarl, Leah grabbed Veha and slapped her with the back of her hand. With a breathless cry, the other woman staggered back but didn’t fall for Leah still had hold of her arm. Leah pulled her back and slapped her again… and again, seeming to delight in the sound of Veha begging her to stop.

“Leah!” Conor grabbed Leah’s arm even as she was about to deliver another blow. “Stop it.” He freed the weeping woman and, pushing Leah away, placed himself between them.

“Move–”

“Enough, Leah. You’ve made your point.”

The need to keep hitting Veha pushed her forward. She tried to get past Conor, but he grabbed her and held her by the arms. “She hit me–”

“And you’ve hit her. Enough. This isn’t like you...”

She fixed him with a steely glare. “I can easily best you then nothing will stand between me and her.”

“What?” He flinched, his tone uncertain. Releasing her, he stepped back.

Reason strained for her attention. No, I don’t want to hurt him... not him... Squeezing her eyes shut, she struggled to wrestle this uncommon anger back into its cage.

“Come, Veha. I’ll take you home.”

Leah watched them walk away. I’ve never felt such anger... Why did she hit me? We weren’t doing anything... wait. Before she came…The way he looked at me... A hesitant smile teased her lips, only to disappear almost instantly. Her eyes widened. Oh no. Oh, goddess no... what did I do?

Leah started to walk quickly, until she was half-running out of the compound, her thoughts in turmoil. I tried to change him. I tried to change his feelings for me. “I’m not a bad person. I will not manipulate people like that. I must not...” She fought to silence the small voice deep in her secret self that whispered, but it gave you such a thrill, did it not?

She headed for the stables and marched up to Rashan. Although no one was nearby, Leah wouldn’t have cared if there were. Reaching out, she floated the blanket and saddle onto her horse even as she grabbed the bridle. She swung herself onto the saddle and rode Rashan out of the stables, scattering the stable hands.

Leah wheeled the mare left out of the city gates and headed south, galloping hard. I could keep going, she thought. I could just keep riding... But she knew she couldn’t. She would only be signing her family’s death warrant.

The way Conor had looked at her, like he no longer recognised her. All I wanted… I just wanted to… No longer able to hold back her tears, they dried on her cheeks almost instantly as Rashan flew on.

Leah slowed her mare down, vaguely aware of being followed. She glanced over her shoulder. A rider was galloping swiftly as if to overtake her. She reined Rashan to a halt when she realised it was Jessalyn.

“Leah. What’s wrong?” Jessalyn sounded breathless as her horse danced to a stop beside Leah.

“Why should anything be wrong?” she said, her tone harsh.

“You’re out on your own, no escort. And the way you raced from the stables... like some demonic beast was after you.”

“I’m fine, Jessalyn. There was no need for you to come running after me.” She dug her heels into Rashan, startling her into a trot.

“You always come running after me, though. Whether I’m fine or not.”

Leah slowed Rashan to a halt again, keeping her gaze firmly on her hand as she fiddled with the horse’s mane. “I’m sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean to bite your head off. I’m not... I haven’t been feeling myself lately, that’s all. I’m a little upset–”

“A little upset?” Jessalyn moved her horse forward until it was abreast with Rashan. “I don’t think I want to see what happens when you’re a lot upset.”

Meeting her friend’s concerned gaze, Leah managed a weak smile.

“If you don’t want the company, I’ll go.”

“I don’t mind, but you may find me terrible company.”

“That’s nothing new.”

“You’re really good for my self-esteem, you know that.”

“I try.”

Her smile widened. They set off at an easy cantering pace. But they hadn’t gone far when an obviously concerned warrior escort overtook them. Leah tried to assure them that there was nothing to worry about before deciding that it would be best if they all returned.

As they were heading back to the city, Jessalyn broke the silence between them. “Remember, Leah, what you said to me before? When you took me to the palace gardens for the first time? You said that it helps to share your troubles because then it becomes easier to deal with.” When Leah didn’t respond, she continued. “I hope you know that if you want to talk about anything, I’m happy to listen. I’ll be more than happy to share your burden.”

Leah closed her eyes momentarily. “Thanks, Jess. Really. But this is something I’ve got to deal with on my own.”

“If that’s the way you feel,” said Jess, dropping her shoulders before hitching them up again. “But you know where I am if you need me.”