I imagine myself astride a buck, sword in one hand, as we charge forward. Maybe if I could do something like that, I would finally feel worthy of my new title.
Chapter 7
Holly walks with meto the kitchensso I can grab lunch before heading to the library. I sit at the center table and marvel at the thousands of titles that surround me. But all I can think about is Bound. I can’t help but feel guilty for being here.
It’s only my second day away from the bookstore, and while I miss it, I mostly feel bad for Cally. She’s never had to run things without me. I’ve always handled the logistical side of things like managing our finances and inventory. There was no time to discuss these things before I was whisked away to the High Court.
The library door opens, interrupting my train of thought. Elle strides in, her red hair pulled back in a thick braid.
“You ready to get moving?” she asks.
With my mouth full of fresh sourdough bread, all I can do is nod. She beams as she comes to stand before me. “Would you rather start with magical or physical training?”
I pause. I just ate a full meal, and I don’t feel like moving, but I also don’t feel like working on my magic. I didn’t necessarily ignore my magic growing up, but I never cultivated it and avoided it when I could. I used it here and there when it was convenient but never past that point. Honestly, I’m embarrassed to admit all of this, especially in front of Elle.
“Physical training,” I decide.
She nods and says, “There’s a full-sized training center on the grounds. We’ll start there.”
She looks at me, eyes roving down my body. “Go grab a change of clothes. We’ll start with a warm-up run."
Relief floods through me. Running is something I can do. I exit the library and bound upstairs, feeling a little bit lighter with the prospect of a run. Five minutes later, we’re out the door and beginning a light jog.
We run through the grounds, each step forward helping me feel more and more like my normal self. Somehow, I have to transform that version of me into the version that becomes High Queen.
We slow our jogs to a stop in front of the all-stone training center. The building looks like it’s been standing here for decades. It’s covered in gray stone, but floor-to-ceiling windows have been installed on opposite sides of the training center. Elle steps toward the large wooden door and opens it.
The ceiling is exposed with several metal support beams in view, giving it an industrial feel. In the far corner are two machines that Killan always talked about: squat racks. In the center of the training center is a large black foam mat. There are also free weights, including racks of dumbbells facing the far mirrored wall.
“Does anybody use this? Why is nobody here?” I ask as I look around the empty space. The training center is silent, save the sounds of my feet creaking as my weight shifts on the floor.
Elle shrugs. “Now and then. It’s mostly the Royal Guard that uses it, but they usually come before the sun rises. They make the most use out of the free weights and weapons.”
“Weapons?” I ask, looking around but not finding any.
She gives me a wicked grin and motions to a closed door on my right.
“This way, my lady,” she says, opening the door and revealing a set of stairs leading downward. “The basement houses the changing rooms and the weapons room. It’s locked, though, for safety reasons.”
At the bottom of the stairs are two changing rooms and a black metal door. Elle approaches the latter door and places her palm flat on its surface, prompting the door to unlock.
The far wall of the room is filled with a variety of lethal weapons. Swords, crossbows, axes, and daggers all glint menacingly on the wall. I swallow hard. I hadn’t anticipated training with actual weapons. “Do I need to know how to use all of these?” I ask as I eye the intimidating wall.
Elle shakes her head. “No. We’re here to protect you. If you want to, you can, but it’s not required. However, I do think it’s important for you to learn how to protect yourself. Your magic should be your first line of defense, and that’s where we’ll spend the bulk of our time in training. But there are times, no matter how powerful or vast your magic is, that it fails you or that something has happened where you can’t access your magic. So, I would like to train you on the basics of defending yourself from an attacker, both with and without a weapon.”
I tense as I feel a rise of panic at the mention of training my magic.
“Why do you look like that?” Elle asks, eyeing me cautiously.
I take a deep breath. “Everyone says I have all this magic, but I rarely use it, and I’ve always been completely fine with that. But now, I have to actively work on and practice my magic when I’ve never been interested in doing that. I’m going to be the High Queen, and I have no idea what I can do,” I say, feeling flustered and embarrassed.
She puts her hands up, palms facing me. “Slow down,” she says in a soft voice. “It’s okay. I know. You don’t need to be embarrassed.” She hesitates before continuing, “Thisissomething we need to practice, though. It’s going to be uncomfortable and hard, but I need you to trust me through this. You also need to trust me when I say I don’t care about your previous experience with magic. I’m here to help you, and you don’t need to feel embarrassed about anything with me. But I do need you to feel committed to learning about this willing to be uncomfortable.”
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to relax. “Okay, let’s do it. But I want you to pretend like I’m brand new to magic and have no idea what it is. Just start from the beginning.”
She nods and tilts her head toward the door. “In that case, you want to get out of here and begin our first lesson somewhere else?”
“This room is a little overwhelming,” I confess. “Where did you have in mind?”
