Her shoulders slumped in relief as she was in control of her faculties and body once more.
“Again.”
They sparred—mind against mind—until Elizabeth clutched at her skull, her mind deciding it had had enough.
Risna set out tea and a bowl of warm venison and potato stew. “Your ability to shield yourself is improving rapidly.”
Elizabeth flushed with pride at the compliment.
After eating, they tried several other spells. Flame refused to answer her call. As did darkness. She might as well have not even tried. While she was able to lift a stone and send it spiraling into the air with ease, Elizabeth still couldn’t manifest light.
When Risna presented her with the rope, Elizabeth focused on it until her temples throbbed. She struggled until two strands frayed at the edges.
Elated, she whooped.
“Progress in some areas is still progress! Well done,” Risna said warmly.
They tried twice more before Elizabeth called an end to their lesson, feeling it was better to end on a positive note.
On the road home, she wondered where Ambriel was and if he knew what a fool’s errand he had set her on. He seemed to think that she would become a powerful magic user and become the fabled woman from the prophecy, but nothing could be more ridiculous. If Nasera’s snide comments were anything to go by, her magical abilities were pitiful at best.
When she returned to the castle, she sought out Caspian.
The castle lounge was dim when she found him there, silver eyes lifting to hers. They shifted to green the moment he saw her.
“Elizabeth,” he said, smiling.
She lifted her chin and said quietly, “I want to be held tonight.”
Wordlessly, Caspian opened his arms, and she went to him.
Chapter 42
Choosing Sides
The next morning, she went for a ride through the forest trails and saw a familiar figure lounging on a gnarled tree root. The angel lifted his hand in welcome.
Grinning, she spurred her horse into a trot. “Ambriel!”
“Mind if I join you?” he inquired.
She nodded, and they tried to walk side by side, but he struggled with his wings in the narrow trail. The angel smiled. “The forest trail is a little tight for two. Meet me at the lagoon?”
“Where?”
He inclined his head. “About twenty minutes ahead of you. Go straight over the brook. I’ll find us food.”
She smiled in return. “That sounds lovely.”
When she arrived at a lagoon in the middle of the forest, Ambriel was waiting.
The water lay still and green, reflecting the surface of the pine trees. She was surprised that after exploring the trails around the castle, she’d never come across this place before.
Ambriel sat on a large rock with a basket at his feet. She was pleasantly surprised when he took out a lunch of bread, cheeses, and fruit.
“Where did you get all this?” she asked, tying her horse to a nearby tree and joining him.
His expression warmed in answer.
