Jayden and Elizah couldn’t believe what they just heard. They were the ones who were going to bring back the sources, or limits of magic, from wherever it was. But it seemed impossible.

“Are you serious, and what does that even mean?” Jayden asked and gave an incredulous look in Jade’s direction.

“I’m not lying. If that’s what you’re wondering, young prince. It means you will bring back the limit system that magic once had, and that in turn will bring back the spirits and restore balance,” Jade said and gave him an irritated look.

“Well, it does make sense. I for one have always believed that the spirits actually exist, even if they were just stories,” Elizah said, as a thoughtful look came upon her face. 

“What stories do you mean?” Jayden looked at her with even more confusion.

“Don’t tell me that you haven’t heard the stories of your ancestors. You must have, being the prince and all,” Elizah said with a bit of shock in her voice.

Jayden shook his head as he bowed his head. He felt stupid that he didn’t know his family’s history, but he never was allowed to try to talk about them. His parents always avoided the topic, and there was barely any information about them in the large library of the palace.

“Well, it’s a lot of truth and lies. I’m not sure if what I know is the truth or not,” Elizah said.

“You start the story Elizah, from what I know Liran was one of the best ones who remembered the accurate versions of the stories,” Jade said.

“My father never told me these stories, I never even knew him. But it was from my mother who I heard them from. But the simplest details were that when the first Larkspear Prince broke off from the northern rulers, and shifted south, the north was ravaged with wars and plague. When he returned to the north somehow, people don’t know how he did it but they say that he did the impossible and people suddenly gained magic,” Elizah said.

“That’s the simple gist of it. But I’ll explain more about this as you gain better control over your powers,” Jade said, “ Of course, you’ll both need a while to think over whatever I’ve said today, your training will start tomorrow. Meet me here around the same time as now.”

With that, the woman disappeared through the dense forest.

“Is it just me or does all of this seem like a dream?”Jayden asked.

Elizah laughed and said, “If it were a dream I wouldn’t be dreaming with you and be in yours.”

Jayden wanted to say that it wasn’t true because he was constantly thinking about her and he had dreamt about her many times. His thoughts were swirling with what Jade had said and with his personal feelings about Elizah starting to get out of hand.

“So you never knew about your ancestors?” Elizah said as she looked up at the canopy.

“No, I never got the chance to. My parents never gave me the chance, it was always covered whenever I’d even asked,” Jayden said with a bit of shame in his voice. He obviously felt terrible about it.

Sensing his discomfort, Elizah couldn’t help but reach out and grasp his hand and gently press on it. He couldn’t help but smile at the gesture.

“I kind of feel that way when I hear people talk about my father. I never got a chance to know him,” Elizah said softly.

Jayden reached out and gently held her hand. She smiled at him.

“So what happened, about the scars and the bags under your eyes?” Elizah asked and continued to hold Jayden’s hands. She never had felt like how she was feeling just then, she didn’t want to let go or leave him.

“I’ve just kind of been neglecting to rest and trying my hardest to get better at my sword-fighting. I really didn’t want to but the humiliating defeat against my father a few weeks ago, pushed things from bad to worse,” Jayden said. He then launched into a detailed description of what happened at that duel.

At the end, Elizah couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the prince sitting in front of her. “You’re a perfect teacher and friend. I’d never ask you to change something about yourself. Maybe you’re not good at sword-fighting, but you still have other skills you are good at. Don’t push yourself too hard,” Elizah said with a gentle smile.

Jayden felt a strange impulse and put a hand on Elizah’s cheek which she swatted away quickly, and gave him a surprised glance.

“I’m sorry, that’s not the kind of relationship I want with you, at least for now,” Elizah said, knowing that he was about to kiss her. She didn’t understand why he would, but she wasn’t ready for that relationship with anyone.

“I’m sorry. I acted without thinking,” Jayden said and swore to himself.

“It’s alright, I’m not angry. I like you, but I’m not so sure if I want that kind of relationship. Maybe I will want that in the future, but I will tell you when I am ready. I’m so sorry,” Elizah said and Jayden nodded.

“I’ll be waiting for that day,” Jayden said with a smile and Elizah laughed.

“Shouldn’t you be heading home?” Jayden asked and Elizah sighed.

“Oh, Micah might but mother’s probably busy, but Micah has his own things he is worried about so I doubt he cares,” Elizah said, her expression dimming, “How about your family, won’t they think about where their son has disappeared off to?”

Jayden’s expression suddenly changed. He was no longer cheerful as he was before as he said, “ I wasn’t planning on returning home tonight. This place seems more warm and welcoming than the castle ever is. I can spend the night alone here.”

“You’ll do no such thing. I don’t trust you alone here. I’ll try to figure out a way I can stay here with you overnight. You need some good rest, besides, I really don’t want to head back home as of yet,” Elizah said.

“Why not, is something going on?” Jayden asked as her voice had lowered into a softer tone.

Elizah gave a tired sigh. “I can’t sleep well at home. Micah is slightly upset, he lost someone important to him, and the house atmosphere is a bit gloomy. I don’t want to disturb his mourning,” Elizah said. She was idly looking at the grass all around her.

“Oh,” Jayden said after a long pause of silence, “At least head back home for a slight bit. You’re soaking wet. You probably would want something more comfortable to wear. Head home, I’ll remain here.”

Elizah gave some thought to what he just said and decided to agree. “I’ll come back to watch over you no matter what. Promise me that you’ll try to get some sleep,” Elizah said as she stood up and tried to pull her hair into a messy bun.

Jayden gave her a nod and a smile as Elizah disappeared into the thicket and he closed his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.