What a paradoxical load of shit.
Bitter didn’t begin to describe how she felt about Antoine’s ‘lesson’, but his words still had the sting of truth in them. He was a lead instructor and former valedictorian of the Royal Magic Academy. If this was a lesson that he deemed important, it was.
With the ringing in her ears, it took Elana some time to register that the commotion in the background was made up of familiar voices.
Soren’s voice was distinct enough that she recognized it, even if he was speaking in a deep growl she’d never heard from him before. “What the fuck, Antoine?”
The other voice she only vaguely recognized, but was cussing him out tenfold more for daring to raise his voice to her liege.
Elana turned her head, cheek still pressed to the stone as she struggled to catch her breath, to see Soren on the ground. Valkyrie’s knee was planted in the center of his back, her sword buried in the ground inches from his neck. His eyes were darker than she’d ever seen them, his cheeks stained with equal color from his straining.
Next to both of them, stone-faced and still, stood Marlena and Gerard. She hadn’t expected either of them to intervene, but knowing they had not only stood by but watched brought a bitter taste to her mouth. Neither of them spoke, but Elana was conscious of the weight of their gaze and judgment. They had to be disappointed in her.
The world around her was starting to get hazy. The voices were getting progressively farther away, but she could see Soren’s lips moving and his expression becoming more and more desperate.
What’s wrong with him? It bothered her—but not enough for her to stay awake. Elana closed her eyes, exhausted and deaf to the sound of her name being frantically called.
When Elana next opened her eyes, it was to the familiar sight of her own room. Her throat felt raw and stripped, but she didn't feel as battered as she'd anticipated. She was conscious of a presence at her bedside, but didn’t check to see which of the household servants it was.
“Water,” she requested. It was a mistake not to check who was there first, because the voice that accompanied the glass being pressed into her hand was the last she wanted to hear.
“How are you feeling?” Antoine asked. His expression gave nothing away.
“Well enough,” Elana said stiffly, pushing herself upright. “Is there a reason you’re in my quarters?”
Antoine set a velvet jewelry box on the bed. “Take it.”
Elana did, turning it over in her hands. Its size and weight told her nothing about its contents. She recognized it from the first time he’d brandished it, but she was more wary of it now. “What is it?” she asked.
Antoine gestured for her to open it.
Elana braced herself for an unpleasant surprise. She instinctively flinched back as she opened the lid, earning an unimpressed noise from Antoine, but nothing sprang out to attack. Instead, inside was a delicate chained bracelet. The bracelet was linked to two rings, joined by a fine gold chain. There were several hollow inlays where jewels should have been, but the bands were currently unadorned. Elana looked up at Antoine in silent question.
“It’s a magic accessory,” he explained. “Put it on.”
Elana did. It was surprisingly light and comfortable, but that was it. It felt like normal jewelry. “You do remember that I don’t have mana to use a magic accessory?”
Antoine gave her a look and opened his hand, revealing three gemstones—each perfectly sized to fit the hollows. “These are processed mana stones.” He gestured for her to hold her hand out, popping them into place on the rings and chain. “Each contains a set spell and number of uses. Once I activate the artifact, you’ll be able to see a mana interface. It will help you get acquainted with the function of each spell, and track the remaining uses.”
“You made this?” Elana asked.
“I did,” Antoine said, curtly. “Only use the interface in private. No one else will be able to see it, but they’ll know something is going on if every time you use magic you're staring at it. It needs to be seamless.”
“So you're here to put me through my paces,” Elana inferred.
“Yes, but I also have other matters to attend to,” Antoine said, glancing at the door. “One of which is revisiting this one’s training to make sure he’s up to par.” He raised his voice. “Stop hovering and enter, if that’s your intention.”
Elana’s next question was interrupted by two soft raps, followed by someone opening the door. The face on the other side was the second-to-last that she wanted to see—Antoine’s being first.
“Soren.” There was enough bitterness in her tone to draw a curious look from Antoine, which she ignored. Just how much of her humiliation had Soren seen if he felt the need to slink around her door?
“My lady,” Soren said, bowing his head. “Please excuse my intrusion.”
“You’re just in time,” Antoine said, beckoning Soren over. “Let’s see how effective your basic heal is these days.”
Elana stiffened, turning to Antoine. “Excuse me?”
“Is there a problem?” Antoine asked, daring her to disagree.
Elana swallowed the impulse to rise to the bait and instead asked, "Why him?"
"Why?" Antoine's voice was chilly but he looked entertained. "Is there a reason it shouldn't be?"
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