“May I?” Zach asked, speaking for the first time since the training had begun.
Kensington regarded him for a long moment and then waved his acquiescence. “Be my guest.”
Zach stood and crossed the short distance to Drew, crouching down in front of him. “You’re overthinking this,” he told himsoftly. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“How can you say that?” Drew demanded. “You have so much riding on this! If I fail at this, I fail you!”
“Oh, sweetness, no. You could never possibly fail me. The fact you’re even willing to try is more than anyone has done for me before.”
“What if I can’t ever find my centre?” he asked, sounding utterly dejected even to his own ears.
“You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. You need to relax.” Zach reached over and pressed a warm palm to Drew’s chest. “Close your eyes and breathe with me.”
Drew did as he asked, following Zach’s lead as he breathed in and out evenly. He felt his whole body relax and his heart slowed. The warmth of Zach’s hand seemed to blossom and spread throughout his body, relaxing him even further.
That’s it, Drew,Zach said in his mind.You’re doing great.
Drew continued to breathe in sync with Zach and his body began to feel heavy. If his eyes weren’t already closed, he was sure they would have fluttered shut by now. He didn’t worry about that, just concentrated on the next breath, and the next one after that.
Perfect, sweetness. Now, think about your heart and how it’s beating so strongly beneath my palm.
It was easy to do. The weight of Zach’s touch above his heart was like a beacon, and his mind immediately zeroed in on the spot. He could picture it clearly in his mind’s eye, the way the muscle was beating, pumping blood rich with oxygen all around his body.
Now, let’s go a little lower,Zach urged, and he slowly slid his hand down Drew’s sternum, until it was resting over his diaphragm.Breath in for me, nice and deep. Feel how your body responds.
Drew did as he was told and he could feel even more oxygen pumping through his veins, moving throughout his body. Zach’s hand moved steadily up and down in time with Drew’s breaths, the warmth still radiating from him.
Now, lower still,Zach said, and he dropped his hand just a fraction more until it rested above Drew’s abdomen.Tell me what you see.
Drew’s mind dropped down and he suddenly gasped as he found a glowing mass of power just under his diaphragm. “Oh, wow,” he said breathily.
“That’s it,” Zach murmured aloud. “Well done, sweetness.”
His eyes fluttered open and Drew found himself giving Zach a dopey smile. “I found my centre!”
Zach leaned in and gave him a kiss, just a sweet press of their lips. “You did.”
“I see things between you have changed rather dramatically since yesterday,” Kensington said, bustling over with a pointed look in their direction.
Drew blushed. “Um, yeah.”
“Does this mean you’ve told him the truth of the matter?” the sorcerer asked Zach.
Zach bristled, but nodded. “I did. Not that it’s any business of yours.”
“On the contrary,” Kensington disagreed, “I believe it is verymuchmy business, since I’m guessing that was the reason for the request for immediate training.”
“Is that a problem?” Drew asked warily.
Kensington shook his head. “Not at all. It actually makes it easier as we have a goal for you to work towards now.”
Drew gave him a smile. “Thank you. And yay! I found my centre!”
“Yes, yes, well done to you both. Now, Zach, shoo.” Kensington waved him off to the side of the room. “Mr Phillips, it’s time to do it again. Now, clear your mind and find your centre.”
They spent the entire day at the Nightingale Collective, not returning to the apartment until late that evening. Drew was exhausted and stumbled into the apartment, tripping over his own feet, but somehow he didn’t face plant on the floor. He looked up and found Zach watching him fondly,and he had an inkling that the only reason he wasn’t on the ground right now was because of a little magical assistance from his angel. Zach gave him no time to ponder this, however, as he guided Drew into bed— but sleep eluded him. His body craved rest, but his mind churned over the knowledge it had been given that day. He decided that Kensington was a sadistic bastard, as he had pushed Drew brutally, never allowing him a moment of weakness, always demanding—and expecting—his best. He’d informed Drew he was to practise every single day, and starting tomorrow he would finish his classes at university and head directly to the Collective for his magical extracurricular. As tired as Drew was after only one day of training, he knew he had to continue to give it his all. Zach’s freedom depended on it. So as strict as Kensington was being, maybe he wasn’t such a bastard after all. He wasn’t charging Drew for his time and hadn’t asked for anything but his dedication to his studies in return. It was almost like he wanted Drew to succeed as much as Zach did.
Eventually, he succumbed to sleep, his body completely spent.
