There had been delay after delay, issue after issue, preventing her from heading south. The years had slipped by until, at seventeen, growing bitterness had all but replaced waning hope.
Every effort she had ever expended toward this one goal seemed more futile by the day, and now she headed for the most futile effort of all: sorcery training.
Chapter Two
The sky was barely orange,and she was already drenched in sweat. It rolled down her neck and was caught by the collar of her shirt, pressed slick to her back. It stuck to her just like every couple labored breaths stuck in her throat.
There was nothing enjoyable about trying to wrench her magic to the surface. Her shoulders sagged and her whole body ached. She’d only left her bed a few hours ago and Vi already felt like she needed a good night’s rest.
“You look like you’re about ready to try again…” Jax said from across the fighting pit. He’d sat on the steps while she caught her breath after the exertion—and frustration—of her last failure.
“This will be, what, the seventeen-thousandth attempt to Awaken my magic?”
“I hear seventeen-thousand-and-one is a lucky number.”
“You’re such a liar,” Vi muttered. “How is it that you, of all people, ended up the guardian of the Crown Princess?” The question was a running joke between them. She’d long known the answer.
Jax, not her uncle by blood, was an old friend of her parents. After the fall of the Mad King Victor, he was even hand-selected to rebuild an illustrious fighting force—the Golden Guard. But he’d chosen to come North with Vi after she was born, giving it all up to look after her.
Guardian might be his official title, but for Vi, Jax was the closest thing she had to an in-person father figure.
“Right now it’s because I seem to be the only one who can put up with her ill-tempered moods in the morning.”
“If I’m ill tempered then you only have yourself to blame. You could make more of an effort when you are in the presence of your Crown Princess.” Vi made an attempt to put on a regal air, fighting a grin.
“Not when I wiped that princess’s arse when she was in nappies.”
“Your service to the crown is much appreciated.” She gave a bow, making a point to stick out her bottom for emphasis.
“Is it? Your family has an odd way of showing appreciation. Shite from you, shite from your parents.” If anyone else had said those words, Vi would’ve risen to anger in defense of her family. But she knew better with Jax.
Jax could say whatever he wanted. Vi knew he would die for her and her family.
“Well now you’re getting shite for magic from Solaris’s latest installment.”
“Your magic is stubborn, not shite.” He gave her a tired smile. “You will open your magic fully soon, I can feel it.”
“What if I don’t?” Vi said softly, confessing one of her greatest fears. “It’s already been two years since I manifested… What if I’ve already Awoken and this is all I have?”
“You don’t believe that.” Jax stood. “You’ve told me of the spark you feel within you. That chasm of light you can peer into but not reach.”
“Perhaps that’s something else?” Though she didn’t know what it would be.
“Or perhaps we simply need to keep trying.”
“How about, instead, we take a break today and I focus on something actually attainable? I could prepare for my lessons, work on my maps, read the books my parents sent…”
“I think if you spent as much mental energy on your magic as you did your maps, you would’ve long since opened your channel and we’d no longer be standing out here.”
That was the last thing she wanted to do. Vi looked up at the treetops dizzyingly high above her. The fortress of Soricium was built in and around them. A noble house beginning to wake—which gave her an idea.
“Aren’t you hungry? We could go inside and have the nice big skillet cake Renna makes for me on my birthday. The ones she drizzles syrup over with pats of butter and fresh berries and candied nuts? Maybe some of the rum whipped cream you enjoy so much?” Her mouth was already watering, stomach grumbling to match.
“And think of how much sweeter it will be when you’ve properly tasted your power.”
“It’s hard to learn magic when your stomach is eating itself.” Vi plastered a hopeful—but knowingly futile—smile across her lips. “I leave for my birthday hunt tomorrow morning; surely I should maintain my strength today.”
“You’re not going to win me over with the promise of food… no matter how delicious Renna’s skillet cakes are.” She opened her mouth to object again, but he continued before she could. “Try once more, Vi—a good showing of it—and then I’ll let you go.”
