The door swings open, and I’m almost relieved for the distraction. That is, until I see who’s entered.
An older woman Brienne pointed out to me as Mistress Manoram strides onto the field. She doesn’t even glance in our direction, as if we’re beneath her notice. Behind her is her disciple, Selene. The moment she steps onto the field, it’s like all the air is sucked out of it. Selene is beautiful, tall, and lithe, and the way she carries herself makes it clear she knows it. But more than that, she’s skilled and strong—terrifyingly so.
“Selene,” Mistress Manoram commands with a single word.
Selene moves forward with a grace that’s almost predatory. She faces a massive stone column that’s been set up in the middle of the training grounds and, with a single gesture, summons a powerful spray of water. The force of it is incredible, pushing the stone back, carving deep grooves into its surface. It’s a display of raw power and control, and I can’t help but feel a pang of inadequacy watching her.
Doran and I exchange a look, silently acknowledging Selene’s showoff nature. Then we both roll our eyes at the same time and bite back simultaneous grins. It’s a small moment of camaraderie, but it helps lighten the tension, even if just for a moment.
Doran whispers with a grimace. “She’s always like that, always has to make sure everyone knows she’s the best.”
I manage a weak smile, but inside, I’m spiralling. If this is the level I’m expected to reach, how am I supposed to stand a chance?
After another few minutes of being forced to watch Selene execute one impressive manoeuvre after the other, we all move to the combat room for my first session of paired sparring. The room is loud with the sounds of panting students, bodies hitting the mat, the clang of metal on metal. My stomach twists with nerves, but I push the feeling down. I’ve faced worse than this, haven’t I?
Chasina pairs me first with Selene for a sparring match, giving me a tight look. The moment we start, it’s clear I’m outmatched. Selene moves like a panther, all fluid angles and precise strikes. I barely have time to react before I’m on the mat, the wind knocked out of me.
“Come on,” Selene taunts, circling me as I struggle to get up. “You want to be the next Aquilith? You know that means you’re going to have to beat me, though, right?”
Her words sting, but it’s the way she looks at me—like I’m nothing—that ignites a fire in my chest. I jump to my feet and lunge at her. Her leg swipes mine, making me stumble off the mat.
“Is this really the best you can do?” she sneers. “No wonder Prince Rylan left. Even he couldn’t stand to see you fail.” The taunt cuts deeper than I’d like to admit, and I can feel the anger rising within me. Selene’s watching me closely as I round her, a smirk playing on her lips as she sees my fury build. “Or maybe,” she continues, her voice dripping with mock sympathy, “he realised you’re just a waste of time. A failure. He’s probably off looking for your replacement.”
That’s it. Something inside me snaps, and I rush at her,all anger and desperation. I don’t care about technique, don’t care about anything other than wiping that smug look off her face. But she’s ready for me, easily sidestepping my attack and sending me crashing to the mat again. The fury in my body has me grabbing at Selene’s leg, and I yank her down on the mat with me, and I’m straddling her in a matter of seconds. I pound my fist into her face, ignoring the feel of cracking cartilage as I shower down punch after punch on her.
The other students rush in, pulling us apart before I can cause any serious damage.
“You’ll fucking pay for that, you bitch,” Selene hisses at me through bloodstained teeth, freeing one arm from Mistress Manoram’s hold and swiping at my face, a layer of my skin catching under her nails.
“I’d like to see you try!” I scream, ignoring the pain, thrashing against the bodies holding me back.
Master Gavrik steps in, his face stern. “Eirabella, that’s enough. You need to learn to control yourself.”
He’s right, of course, but the anger and humiliation are too raw, too fresh. Selene is dragged out of the room to the healer while I’m doled out a list of gruelling physical punishments—two hundred push-ups, two hundred sit-ups, and ten laps of the absolutely enormous training field.
I complete each and every exercise.
It’s harsh, pushing me to the brink of collapse, but I don’t argue. I just do it, the pain almost a relief from the frustration and self-loathing gnawing at me.
By the time I finish, it’s dark outside, and I’m barely standing, my body trembling with exhaustion. My muscles scream in protest with every movement, and my vision blurs from the effort of staying upright. Julietta enters the combat room as I collect my things, her presence immediately grating on mynerves. She’s all smiles as she approaches me, but there’s nothing genuine in her gaze.
“My, my, Eirabella,” she says with a smirk. “You look positively dreadful. Training not going well, I take it?”
I grit my teeth, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a response.
Julietta leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Rylan would be interested to see his disciple was looking…as capable as this.” She sniffs. “That is how he describes you, you know. When he’s defending you to everyone telling him you’re a lost cause.Capable.”
She spits the word as if it’s the dirtiest word she’s ever heard. And to be fair, it doesn’t sound like such a compliment to me either.
“When did he say that?” my mouth betrays me before I can clamp it shut.
“Oh, just late last night, since he had to leave early this morning.”
Her words twist like a knife. Rylan spoke to her last night? Of course, he did. And here I am, left behind to fend for myself while he’s off doing whatever it is that princes do.
“Good for him,” I snap, trying to mask the hurt and… jealousy, with anger. “But I repeat, I couldn’t care less what he says.”
Julietta’s smile widens, and she pats my cheek condescendingly. “Such spirit. I wonder how long it will last.” She turns and walks away, leaving me standing there, seething. But her words have done their damage.
