Chapter 3 Ch

Elise, Age 18

King Edward commanded "Again,"

Elise let out a sharp sigh. The rearing of his girls was something her father took way too seriously. What specifically did he believe would occur that would need them to utilize their abilities in this manner? Still, it was always best to be cautious than sorry.

She pointed at the straw targets across the courtyard, eight of which were either missing their heads, pierced with carefully placed burn holes, or blasted to smithereens. "There are only two left, Father," she said.

I'll have more produced.

Elise forced her eyes closed to prevent herself from rolling them. They had fought Nora hand-to-hand throughout the whole of the morning. Their father was now primarily concerned with her instruction.

The youngest sister had no magic, therefore her only defenses were her hands or a physical weapon. Nora had undoubtedly improved, and the results were clear.

Recently, Edward had decided that all three of his kids needed to improve their abilities. Eden and Elise were compelled to join Nora this morning as a result. Many of his guys trained in the barn, so he had sent them out there.

Elise decided to cheat and send a current of air to confuse her opponent after receiving too many kicks in the behind. Unfortunately, she was up against Eden, who was not likely to find Elise's comedy amusing.

The oldest didn't find it as amusing as Elise did that her hair was attacking her face. Elise's eyebrow was burned off in retaliation by Eden. When Elise merely responded with laughter, Eden became even more irate.

The men of their father had watched amused. Simply starting again, Edward muttered something about the Goddess giving him such misbehaving girls. His merry expression in his eyes revealed his actual thoughts about the situation.

But hours later he was no longer laughing. Elise speculated that the hostility shown by his children may have alarmed him a bit.

Edward said, "Eden, shoot for the heart this time."

"However you like, Father."

Eden was the eldest and the most serious of the three. Even still, she began puncturing the targets in places where no man would want to be burnt since she had become weary of the training today.

The guards' laughter came to an end. But Elise couldn't help but chuckle at the brilliant assault. With each round, she grew to like Eden more and more.

Elise saw Eden destroy the straw figure with a smooth, painstakingly crafted beam of fire from fifty yards away. She created an almost symmetrical hole in the form of a heart. Amazing, Elise said.

An arrow pierced the form Eden had drawn before Edward could issue the following command. Elise applauded Nora's flawless shot.

"Nora, good job!" She commended.

Following a theatrical bow, Nora asked her father if they could call the performance a day if she removed the final person's head. I'm worn out.

Why do you still insist on beheading the targets, Nora? Edward exhaled.

"I-"

Without emotion, he said, "It was rhetorical." "Let's call it a day, then. Do not believe that any of you are exempt.

Father, I won't be leaving Gwydion for another four years. I believe we still have time.

Nora received a shoulder pat from Edward. "Daughter, we always think there is time. Sometimes events happen that you weren't expecting, and you wish you had been more ready. Count on me for this.

Nora lowered her head and nodded. Knowing that her father was referring to their mother's murder, Elise felt sorrow. Only Nora was unaware that Queen Elora hadn't died from delivery.

To guarantee that there was a balance of power across the Imperium, an ancient fraternity known as Sephtis Kenelm came together. No kingdom was capable of dominating the others. The most powerful elemental to ever exist, Elora paid with her life for her inherent abilities.

Their father had long since tracked them down and exacted revenge for his queen's murder, together with King Kellan, whose own father had perished as a result of the group's disastrous expedition.

Elise didn't support his decision to hide the truth from Nora. She prayed that one day he would see Nora's inner strength and be clean with her.

Eden urged her younger sister, "Come on, Nora," directing Elise's focus back to her.

Eden embraced Nora, "I'm famished," she said. "I'm sure stopping for food would be beneficial. Elise, will you be arriving?

Later, I'll join you. I need to take care of stuff first.

Elise moved to one of the wider trails at the southern end of the tree line as the group dispersed. When it turned near the tiny brook, she continued to follow it.

Several eroded boulders were seen at the stream bend. She climbed the largest one and sat there, gazing at the lazily flowing water below.

She shut her eyes and enjoyed the sound of the brook's gushing water. Her soul calmed, and her muscles began to relax.

Her affinity for water was Elise's greatest strength. She had been drawn to the stream during the last several days. Every Gwydion was somehow related to a certain element. Elise had power over many things, but her strongest connection was to water.

Her thoughts have recently been restless. She had been having trouble focusing and felt unsettled more and more. She couldn't explain the anxiety knot she was experiencing.

Her aspirations had also been impacted. She wasn't mostly dreaming. She wasn't being lured into the clearing every night for the first time in a very long time.

Each night when she dozed off, she encountered darkness. It danced and whirled about her in murky tones of black and grey. Beyond the force around her, she was unable to see anything.

She had stayed close to her sisters rather than going to the creek to meditate because she was worried about what it represented. The ocean, though, beckoned to her.

She came back today because she had faith in her connection to her element. As always, it gave her peace and perspective. She discovered that the melody of nature was lulling her into sleep.

A male voice said, "You probably shouldn't go to sleep up there.

Elise opened her eyes and turned her head to the right. When she realized she was just a few inches away from Jasper Rollands' sometimes bothersome, sometimes unfairly handsome face, she retreated.

He was too near for comfort, and she sprang to her feet. Jasper, a young guy from the town, seemed to be working hard in his preparation to join her father's army. The results of his effort were on his physique. He attracted a lot of attention due to his height and physique, especially from young girls.

To Elise's dismay, she wasn't immune to his allure. As a result, she maintained her distance. She had plans for herself that did not include rolling about in the hayloft with the attractive man next to her.

When she had regained her composure, she said, "I'm perfectly safe."

Despite rolling off? No matter how hard it is, I don't want you to strike your delicate tiny skull.

He laughed as Elise snorted. At least before he entered his teenage years, Jasper had a generally amicable disposition. They had been playmates since they were little. Once he entered adolescence, he became less frequent, but she still thought of him as a type of buddy.

He growled and hopped up onto the boulder next to her, saying, "Move over."

Elise moved as far down the edge as she could without going over.

He raked his sandy blonde hair off his forehead and scowled. "I don't spread diseases,"

She chuckled while shaking her head. "I know. However, your huge frame hardly fits here.

"Right." His attention shifted to her eye's blemish. What took place there?

That "Eden happened."

The question "Your sister attacked you?"

"Yes. It was amusing.

"Seems to be."

They exchanged smiling looks. First to turn away, Jasper threw some holding stones into the water.

He questioned, "What are you doing out here?"

I was meditating, I said.

With your mouth open wide and saliva streaming out? Doubtful."

She mock-swatted his arm in good fun. "It wasn't all that bad."

"It was."

The tone of his words caused certain areas of Elise's body to warm. the incorrect components. She shouldn't have any feelings for him-or any other guy, for that matter.

excluding one.

"What were you doing, aside from interrupting my rest?" she scolded.

I was heading out to assist the Greycen family with the summer harvest since I had the day free.

"Ah, out being a pillar of the community."

"I try."

And it wouldn't involve seeing Maggie Greycen tend to the fields at all? It sounds like quite a spectacle.

Jason grinned. "Do the ladies discuss her substantial... assets?"

Elise laughed loudly before swatting him once again. "You are awful,"

"Yes, I can. To answer your query, though, I will not assist because of Maggie. This is how I will pay back a loan I owe her father.

That is admirable.

"Not. She's not quite as attractive as the woman who usually appears to flee in the other direction when she sees me coming, he said, his eyes fixed on her lips.

As he drew in closer, Elise's eyes became larger. In response, she leaned away from him, but he persisted. She tilted backward and slid off the rock before she could ask him what he thought he was doing.

She made a futile attempt to turn and get her arms beneath her to stop herself from falling. Just as her body began to fall to the earth, Elise managed to smack her face on one of the smaller pebbles.

She fell awkwardly, her front stuck to the rock's side and her back resting on the ground. She quickly examined herself. Her face was the only part that ached excessively.

Elise scowled and reached up to see the injury, saying, "Damn, that's smart."

increasing already. rather bloody. probably beginning to bruise. It would be typical of her to endure hours of arduous training without suffering any harm-aside from the loss of one eyebrow-only to sustain damage as a result of her response to some idiot's crude conception of a sexual approach.

A quiet thump was heard near her as two huge boots touched down. Regarding said idiot.

Oh, Goddess. Jasper apologized, knelt, and put his hand on Elise's shoulder. "Here, let me see," he pleaded.

Her chin was softly raised by his fingers. He recoiled when Elise twisted her head to reveal more of the injuries. The intimidating young warrior whirled. Hard. She struggled to contain her laughter as her shoulders trembled.

His lips raised a corner. You're being unkind by making fun of me, Miss Elise.

"I'm not the one throwing women off rocks," I said.

Yes, well, I'm not used to such blatant hostility against my approaches.

"I don't think so. However, what were you thinking? You can't simply go around and give every female you see a kiss. Sure, convenience is essential, but do you believe that taking up thirty seconds of my time justifies making eye contact?

He laughed so loudly that it almost down a tree. He took a breath and said, "You are not like other females," with a grin.

Elise curled her lips in discomfort at his remark. He was accurate. She was different from the other women she knew. In her father's court, Elise was skilled at playing her part, but outside of the formalities, she had always been a touch clumsy. Blunt. a prankster.

She wasn't sure whether she appreciated Jasper bringing it up. What would he think of her, the one who never left her head, if a lovely guy such as him found her odd?

Her fantasy guy was nothing like Jasper. Jasper was cheery and enjoyable in contrast to Kellan, who was both dark and broody in appearance and demeanor. She could be more of a light and fun person than a broody one. Elise disliked the idea that she couldn't draw in a man like Kellan.

She added gently, "I should probably go home and clean myself up.

He extended his hand, urging her to get up, saying, "Let me escort you."

The path leading to the Greycens' farm was in front of Jasper as he peered along it. It was going the other way from Elise's house. Even though he would be late, he didn't want to send her out alone herself after that fall.

Shaking her head, Elise. You're good, Jasper. You have a longer journey than I do. I don't want you to be late.

She pulled him backward with air currents as soon as he protested by opening his lips. Before I throw you into the creek, leave.

Right, right. There is no need for violence, he joked. "Are you certain you're alright?"

"I'm good. Now depart.

As desired, my lady. Jasper made a nice bow. He stood up straight, a serious look on his face. "Evie, I truly apologize."

Since their early years together, he hadn't named her Evie. She found it amusing in a fraternal manner. She briefly considered how much simpler her life would be if she just caved into a man like Jasper and pursued the possibility of anything more with an elemental.

Never would it function. None of the men she knew were desirable to her. Even if she had let the kiss, she felt confident in Jasper's lack of interest in a long-term relationship.

In addition, she had been waiting for the demon to visit her dream world or, preferably, knock on her father's door for the last two years. How much time was she supposed to wait? It was not easy to believe in Fate.

She shrugged and waved him off. "It's okay. You may owe me a favor if it would help you feel better.

"Anything."

Oh, you shouldn't make such guarantees. I could decide to accept your offer.

Are you making out with me?

No, what?

He stepped backward, grinned, and saluted her. Fair Elise, till we meet again. then made a U-turn and ran off.

Elise slumped against the boulder and covered her eyes with her hands as soon as he vanished from view. She had a horrible headache and her face was hurting. Even her bottom started to hurt. Her adrenaline has likely begun to wear off.

She used her fingers to trace her lips as she imagined what it must have felt like for Jasper to kiss her. She said she was only curious. Any girl her age would be curious to kiss.

She was pierced with remorse, which caused her to squelch the idea. She was mostly certain that fate had chosen another for her. Such fantasies shouldn't be entertained by her.

So much for meditating to unwind. At least her sisters would enjoy hearing about the experience.

She looked at the ocean one more time as she stood up straight and exhaled heavily. She saw something flicker in front of her. Elise moved closer to the bank as she looked under the ground for anything that had absorbed the sun's beams.

She leaned down and peered closely after seeing a flash of silver. She got down on her knees and bowed. She invited the elements into her consciousness and asked them to deliver her the object.

The mirrored object soared out of the water with a plop and landed in her grasp. It was a spherical medallion that was strung on a substantial silver chain.

Elise used her thumbs to remove the mud. To get rid of the remainder of the sand and muck, she dipped it in the water. She placed it in her hand and drew it up to her face.

The medallion's center had a complex tree pattern. The roots could be seen, and the trunk was large. The letter M was woven into the pattern of the bark.

The name Kellan briefly crossed her thoughts. Her environment hummed in unison with the elements.

Her hands trembled. Demon Kellan was. Yes, he had twice entered her dreams, but he hadn't been in this woodland.

The medallion was handed over by her. Across the surface, words were inscribed.

ISTINA NIKAD NE UMIRE

The truth never dies.

It was a saying in the old language.

She hadn't heard the proverb in the ancient tongue since childhood. Sitting back on her heels, she waited for the elements to tell her something. Anything.

They held their silence.

Elise wasn't sure what to do with the ostensibly priceless jewel, so she chose to keep it. She may complete the problem at a later time.

She used the bottom of her shirt to dry it off. She raised the chain around her neck since her pants lacked pockets. She disguised the chilly metal from anybody who may come across her as she stood up by tucking it inside her blouse.

She wondered whether or not to display the necklace to her family as she walked home. She moaned as the elements whirled in protest.

Elise had faith in her powers. It didn't imply that she always liked it.