Chapter 7
Holly walks with me to the kitchens so I can grab lunch before heading to the library. I sit at the center table and marvel at the thousands of titles that surround me. But all I can think about is Bound. I can’t help but feel guilty for being here.
It’s only my second day away from the bookstore, and while I miss it, I mostly feel bad for Cally.
She’s never had to run things without me.
I’ve always handled the logistical side of things like managing our finances and inventory.
There was no time to discuss these things before I was whisked away to the High Court.
The library door opens, interrupting my train of thought. Elle strides in, her red hair pulled back in a thick braid.
“You ready to get moving?” she asks.
With my mouth full of fresh sourdough bread, all I can do is nod. She beams as she comes to stand before me. “Would you rather start with magical or physical training?”
I pause. I just ate a full meal, and I don’t feel like moving, but I also don’t feel like working on my magic.
I didn’t necessarily ignore my magic growing up, but I never cultivated it and avoided it when I could.
I used it here and there when it was convenient but never past that point.
Honestly, I’m embarrassed to admit all of this, especially in front of Elle.
“Physical training,” I decide.
She nods and says, “There’s a full-sized training center on the grounds. We’ll start there.”
She looks at me, eyes roving down my body. “Go grab a change of clothes. We’ll start with a warm-up run."
Relief floods through me. Running is something I can do. I exit the library and bound upstairs, feeling a little bit lighter with the prospect of a run. Five minutes later, we’re out the door and beginning a light jog.
We run through the grounds, each step forward helping me feel more and more like my normal self. Somehow, I have to transform that version of me into the version that becomes High Queen.
We slow our jogs to a stop in front of the all-stone training center.
The building looks like it’s been standing here for decades.
It’s covered in gray stone, but floor-to-ceiling windows have been installed on opposite sides of the training center.
Elle steps toward the large wooden door and opens it.
The ceiling is exposed with several metal support beams in view, giving it an industrial feel.
In the far corner are two machines that Killan always talked about: squat racks.
In the center of the training center is a large black foam mat.
There are also free weights, including racks of dumbbells facing the far mirrored wall.
“Does anybody use this? Why is nobody here?” I ask as I look around the empty space. The training center is silent, save the sounds of my feet creaking as my weight shifts on the floor.
Elle shrugs. “Now and then. It’s mostly the Royal Guard that uses it, but they usually come before the sun rises. They make the most use out of the free weights and weapons.”
“Weapons?” I ask, looking around but not finding any.
She gives me a wicked grin and motions to a closed door on my right.
“This way, my lady,” she says, opening the door and revealing a set of stairs leading downward. “The basement houses the changing rooms and the weapons room. It’s locked, though, for safety reasons.”
At the bottom of the stairs are two changing rooms and a black metal door. Elle approaches the latter door and places her palm flat on its surface, prompting the door to unlock.
The far wall of the room is filled with a variety of lethal weapons. Swords, crossbows, axes, and daggers all glint menacingly on the wall. I swallow hard. I hadn’t anticipated training with actual weapons. “Do I need to know how to use all of these?” I ask as I eye the intimidating wall.
Elle shakes her head. “No. We’re here to protect you.
If you want to, you can, but it’s not required.
However, I do think it’s important for you to learn how to protect yourself.
Your magic should be your first line of defense, and that’s where we’ll spend the bulk of our time in training.
But there are times, no matter how powerful or vast your magic is, that it fails you or that something has happened where you can’t access your magic.
So, I would like to train you on the basics of defending yourself from an attacker, both with and without a weapon. ”
I tense as I feel a rise of panic at the mention of training my magic.
“Why do you look like that?” Elle asks, eyeing me cautiously.
I take a deep breath. “Everyone says I have all this magic, but I rarely use it, and I’ve always been completely fine with that.
But now, I have to actively work on and practice my magic when I’ve never been interested in doing that.
I’m going to be the High Queen, and I have no idea what I can do,” I say, feeling flustered and embarrassed.
She puts her hands up, palms facing me. “Slow down,” she says in a soft voice.
“It’s okay. I know. You don’t need to be embarrassed.
” She hesitates before continuing, “This is something we need to practice, though. It’s going to be uncomfortable and hard, but I need you to trust me through this.
You also need to trust me when I say I don’t care about your previous experience with magic.
I’m here to help you, and you don’t need to feel embarrassed about anything with me.
But I do need you to feel committed to learning about this willing to be uncomfortable. ”
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to relax. “Okay, let’s do it. But I want you to pretend like I’m brand new to magic and have no idea what it is. Just start from the beginning.”
She nods and tilts her head toward the door. “In that case, you want to get out of here and begin our first lesson somewhere else?”
“This room is a little overwhelming,” I confess. “Where did you have in mind?”
“Wanna go snag a bottle of wine from the kitchens and sit by the pool?”
A smile spreads across my face, and I say, “Absolutely.” I turn my back to the wall of weapons and immediately head toward the exit.
Nestled in the middle of the forest, the pool looks as if it was carved by the Mother herself.
Natural cobblestones lead from the main path, widening to create the floor of the terrace before dipping beneath the crystal blue water.
Deep, wide steps cascade into the water.
On the opposite end, a natural stone alcove houses a smaller body of water, steam floating just above the surface.
Next to the pool is a lounge area filled with comfortable chairs and couches made of natural wood and cream cushions, all surrounding an unlit fire pit. A small stone pool house stands at one end with an outdoor fireplace and cozy seating, covered by a roof overhang.
“What’s that?” I ask, pointing to the smaller but steaming pool.
“It’s magically spelled to mimic a hot spring. We call it the steam bath.”
My jaw drops. Yes, I can get used to this. It’s a little chilly outside, so we remove our shoes and place our feet in the steam bath instead.
“Okay. Magic. Tell me about it,” I say, looking at Elle. She’s sitting across from me, her own feet swirling in the steaming water.
“Would you like the exact definition? Or can I assume you already know what magic is?”
I level a glare at her.
She holds her hands up in mock surrender.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. In all seriousness, though, there are two branches of magic: elemental and Fae magic.
Elemental magic comes from the earth, and only the hybrids can use it, while Fae magic is specific to the Fae.
Because the hybrids are part Fae and part Woodland, we can use both. ”
She gestures to the bottle of wine in between us. “Do you like your wine cold or warm?” she asks me.
“Cold.”
She picks up the bottle. As she does, a frosty layer forms on the glass. She holds it out to me. “Would that be Fae or elemental magic?”
“Elemental. That was easy,” I say, accepting the bottle and taking a sip. “I know how to do that already, though.”
She glares at me. “You told me to act like you were a beginner, so that’s what I’m doing!”
Now I’m the one holding my hands up in surrender. “Sorry, sorry, you’re right. Continue then.”
“Thank you. Anyway, Fae magic includes things like portal magic, glamours, and telekinesis.”
We both pause to take another drink from our bottles. The sounds of the forest surround us as squirrels jump from branches and cicadas buzz in the dimming light.
“It’s getting dark quickly. There are candles throughout the pool terrace. I want you to light them,” she says simply. She’s right. The sun continues to slip further and further below the tree line, taking its warmth with it. It will be completely gone soon, leaving us cloaked in darkness.
I’ve lit candles with magic before, but only one at a time.
Lighting a single candle is easy. All it takes is concentrating on the wick and thinking of a single flame.
Only a small burst of magic is used, and it’s easily controlled.
But to light multiple candles that I’ve never seen…
I’m not sure if that’s something I can do.
“Where are the candles?” I ask.
“Feel for them. You can find them. Use your elemental magic. Locate them and light them.”
I turn her words over in my head. How can I use my elemental magic to find the candles? Holly said something similar earlier about casting a net and seeing if anything snags.
“Your magic is just an extension of you. You are your magic,” Elle whispers.
I send out a light breeze, trying my best to compel my magic to find the candles. It feels wild and uncontrolled, like it’s alive and dancing through the air.