CHAPTER NINE
ELYSIA
The combat hall of the Concordium hums with restrained energy. Instructor Seraphine stands at the centre, her posture regal but her expression hard.
“Today, we focus on hand-to-hand combat, and more importantly, control.” She calls, her voice carrying over the sound of shifting boots and murmured conversations. “Your bond is both a strength and a weakness. On the battlefield, your emotions could mean life or death.”
I cross my arms, the tension curling low in my stomach. “With all due respect, Instructor Seraphine,” I say, tone clipped. “I’m not here to become a warrior. My purpose is to manage the bond and continue researching the plague, that’s all.”
Instructor Seraphine regards me with a knowing sort of pity, the kind that feels worse than disdain.
“Elysia, all High Mages are born knowing they may one day serve, whether in The Tower, at the border or on the battlefield. Your bond to Kaden Reinheart changes nothing… except that now there’s no room for exceptions. ”
My jaw tightens.
She continues, her gaze unwavering as she steps closer. “If you keep your distance for too long, the bond will strain. Pull it too taut, and it could cause unbearable pain, perhaps even kill your partner in the field… as well as yourself. You understand now why control is paramount?”
I nod once, though the words settle uneasily in my chest.
“Good.” She says. “Then you also understand this… bonded pairs share pain and injury. What happens to one, the other feels. If you learn to shield yourselves from one another, you may one day save your own life.” Her gaze hardens, “A strong shield can block out shared pain, mute emotions, and block injuries. It could be the only thing standing between you and an early grave. Keeping your heart beating even if your partner’s stops. ”
She flicks her fingers, and a faint shimmer of magic ripples over her skin, like sunlight through glass.
“Now, most of you here know how to shield, but make no mistake, it is much harder to control once bound. While your shield is up, you’ll still be able to feel a hint of shared emotion, each other’s breathing and heartbeat, but injuries will not carry through.
That barrier is the difference between surviving or falling beside your partner. ”
When she lowers her hand, her gaze sweeps across the room. “Two mats are in front of you; decide between you who is sparring against whom. The winner of each round will go on to spar against a new opponent. The two left standing will go against each other.”
“Do we get anything nice if we win?” Enzo muses, though judging by his hopeful grin, he might not be joking.
Instructor Seraphine’s smile is tight and thoroughly unamused. “You get to live through the end of this exercise. How’s that?”
Enzo sighs. “Not exactly what I had in mind.”
Ignoring him, Instructor Seraphine turns back to the rest of us. “Pair off and focus on your shields. If your bonded partner isn’t fighting, the last thing you want is for them to feel any pain inflicted on you.”
The hall springs to life.
I do as instructed, shaping my magic into a thin, translucent layer over my skin. I can still feel Kaden, his breathing, his heartbeat, his emotions… but it’s muted and distant now, numbed by magic.
“Enzo,” Odette chirps, fiddling with her brunette plait, “I think you should spar first, against Ronan.”
Enzo groans softly but doesn’t argue.
“Fine,” Ronan agrees, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “But I want to spar with Elysia next.” His smile turns mischievous. “If I win, how about a date?”
Warmth rushes to my cheeks, quickly followed by a faint flicker of annoyance through the bond… dulled by the shield, thankfully.
I tilt my head up at him, smiling. “Sure, but maybe don’t bet a date on you winning.”
His grin widens, boyish and bright. “Confident. I like a woman who can put me in my place.” He winks, then drops his arm and jogs toward the mat. “Come on, Eastwood. Time to get your ass kicked.”
Enzo grumbles and follows, rolling his shoulders and stretching out his arms.
“Well,” Odette says, her voice cutting through the noise, “I suppose it’s only fair that Brynn and I get on the other mat.” She wiggles her eyebrows playfully. “What do you say?”
Brynn lets out a controlled laugh. “You think you can win, Valentine?”
“Probably not, but I was taught by the best, so I have a decent chance.” She winks.
“Kiss ass,” Sirena coughs theatrically.
Odette flashes her a sugar-sweet smile and flips her off before prancing toward the mat with Brynn.
The first round goes by much quicker than anticipated.
Brynn and Ronan are every bit the warriors they were trained to be.
Movements quick and precise, perfectly in sync, their shields not flickering for a second.
More than once, I have to fight back a blink to track Brynn’s position.
She arrives at each opening a heartbeat before it fully forms. She’s fast, really fast.
Enzo and Odette, on the other hand… Enzo’s shields faltered more times than I could count, and every punch Ronan landed, Odette endured. Though her own shield protected her from the grunt of the hit, she still faltered, and Brynn ultimately wiped the floor with her.
I swallow, anxious energy beginning to bubble beneath my skin. They are all much more skilled than me. I can fight, and I can fight well… but by no means am I at their level. I’ll really have to rely on my speed if I want a decent chance at winning against any of them.
Odette swears under her breath as she and Enzo step off the mat, rubbing at sore muscles. “For the love of Neytiri, Enz, one day you’re going to get us killed.”
He winces, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, I got distracted. I’ll work on it.”
“You better.” She scoffs, “I don’t feel like being an ossaryn’s dinner.”
“That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?” He spreads his arms wide. “Not everyone can be a natural like those two.”
Odette rolls her eyes. “And not everyone can be that clumsy and incompetent either. Truly impressive, Enz.”