Chapter 24 #2
Nuwin and Kole entered the large room behind me, and Nuwin clasped his hands behind his back, right beneath his wings.
He rocked back on his heels. “These are the royal training quarters. Your dearest warrior and I spent a bit of time here in our younger winters when we were mastering our affinities.”
I spun to face Kole. “You did?”
Kole crossed his arms, and a pleasant smile lifted his lips.
The fact that he’d dropped his mask in Nuwin’s presence confirmed that he considered the prince a close friend, and it struck me again that affinities had been said in plural form, yet I only knew of one of Kole’s affinities—his warrior affinity.
I cocked my head. “What other affinities do you have?” I asked Kole. “Besides the warrior one?”
Nuwin’s eyebrows shot up. “You don’t know that he has three affinities in addition to his Silten elemental magic?
” He grinned with gusto. “In that case, let me indulge you. Kole has a warrior affinity, which you apparently already know about, but he also has a self-healing affinity, which comes in quite handy on the battlefield, and he has a weak scent sensory affinity.” Nuwin clapped Kole on the back.
“Given his strongest magical affinities are warrior and self-healing, our dearest friend here is truly a killing nightmare.”
My eyes widened. “Truly?”
“Indeed, just watch.” Nuwin strolled to the rack of weapons across the room, grabbed a small blade, and strolled back to Kole. “May I, dear friend?” He held his hand out.
Kole sighed but offered his hand. “I’m only doing this because I know you’re not going to stop until you get your way.”
Nuwin grinned. “How well you know me. Now . . .” Without the slightest hesitation, Nuwin sliced Kole’s palm wide open in a deep gash.
Hands shooting to my mouth in shock, I gasped, but Kole didn’t even flinch. Not even when blood gushed out.
“Oh Goddess! Why did you—” But the words got trapped in my throat.
No sooner had Nuwin cut him open than Kole’s skin began knitting itself back together. Magic swelled around the cut, and on my next breath, the cut was fully healed, only the pooled blood remaining.
Nuwin pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to Kole, who proceeded to wipe the fresh blood away.
My jaw dropped. “You can . . .” I licked my lips. Shock still barreled through me. Shaking my head, I gazed at Kole in wonder. “How extraordinary. I’ve never seen anyone heal that fast before. And that’s all due to another Solis affinity?”
Nuwin snickered. “Indeed.” He arched an eyebrow at Kole. “Didn’t you say the Imperial Council was quite impressed by that affinity of yours in addition to your warrior one?”
Kole didn’t comment, but he gave a slight shrug.
Nuwin chuckled. “Always so modest.” Turning back to me, he added, “As you can imagine, having someone with not only a warrior affinity, but the ability to control the air and rapidly heal, makes him extremely deadly on the battlefield. Even if an enemy lands a hit, Kole’s air can blow them back, giving him a few precious seconds to heal himself before re-engaging.
That allows him to keep going and not fall to injury.
It’s quite impressive to watch, actually. ”
“It is,” I agreed. Even though I’d only seen Kole fight a few times, I’d also been mesmerized by him.
Kole cocked an eyebrow at Nuwin. “Are you done yet?”
Nuwin tapped his chin, looking thoughtful. “Yes, I believe I am, but no need to be embarrassed. We couldn’t let your lovely princess spend her entire life wondering what your magic is. I know you don’t like to brag, so I was happy to do it for you.”
Kole snorted a laugh, then addressed me.
“Anyway, the real reason we’re here isn’t to reveal my affinities, but it’s because of someone Nuwin and I both know.
We shared the same tutor while at the academy, and we’d often practice together here outside of school-time hours, so when I told Nuwin what I wanted you to learn, he offered this training room to you. ”
As if on cue, the door in the far corner of the room opened, and a female Solis fairy entered. She had wide black wings and a rotund figure.
“Ah! Speaking of which.” Nuwin inclined his head toward the female.
The second she beheld Nuwin and Kole, she said in a sharp tone, “Ock, I see that trouble’s arrived.” She strode toward us, her steps quick and sharp as she raked her gaze up and down my frame. “And is this the female I’m to be training today?”
She stopped just shy of us, and I gulped. Even though she was shorter than me, the female had an intimidating air about her, and it took me a second to comprehend what she’d just uttered.
I glanced questionably up at Kole. “I’m going to be training today?”
Kole smiled, a drop-dead gorgeous smile that made my knees weaken.
“Surprise. May I present Matron Olsander, the royal’s tutor.
” He bowed toward the female. “She’s the most skilled instructor on the Solis continent, and I have no doubt that if anyone’s capable of training you to mistphase, it’s her. ”