Sebastian agreed. “Let’s start with some shielding first. I’ll throw some of my magic at you. Do everything you can to stop it from reaching you.” He kept his eyes wide as he spoke, making sure I comprehended his instructions.
I bobbed my head yes, liking that suggestion. Once we started wielding, I wouldn't last long. In fear of seeming weak, I had been quiet about how draining my powers were.
“Ready?” he asked, pivoting in the sand to look at me.
I closed my eyes and focused on calming my mind, body, and soul. “Ready.”
A chill much icier than the fall air caressed my skin. Pricks of ice bit my flesh before my body’s heat melted them away. I recognized the droplets as Sebastian's magic, and imagined myself telling the storm to dissolve. I used every ounce of my focus to concentrate on stopping the snowflakes he summoned.
All at once, the goosebumps on my skin faded away. I opened my eyes to meet Sebastian’s gaze, tilting my neck up to watch the snowfall over the beach, landing everywhere except for where I stood.
“Good job.” He smiled proudly, and as he lowered his hands, the snow vanished.
I grinned from ear to ear, relieved that I was able to shieldproperly on the first try. “I’ll be honest, I wasn't sure how I would differentiate between shielding and wielding, but between class and now this, I think I’m starting to get it.”
“Don't be so quick to assume. I was making it easy on you.”
“Oh, sonowyou decide to take it easy on me? Where was that mercy back on the mat?”
“If I make things too hard on you, you may request a new guard.”
“I might just do that, anyway.”
Sebastian snickered, letting a smile slip free.
He didn't give me any time to celebrate my achievement before he harnessed more magic for me to block.
I successfully shielded a few more times, some of which I was able to keep my eyes open for. Happy with the progress, we took a few minutes to rest before starting to wield.
My mouth opened to let out a yawn, the exertion from this evening had begun to consume me.
Sebastian grinned apologetically. “We’ll make this quick. I know it’s late, and you must be really tired from having your ass handed to you on the mat.”
“Well maybe if someone wasn't such a try-hard, I would have stood a chance,” I retorted, laughing at the same time.
Sebastian’s lips quirked up once more as he held his hands out to me. “Come here.”
“I don't need to be touching someone to use my magic against them.” I was hesitant to take his hands again in fear that I’d do something I’d regret.
“I know. But you're still new to this and contact makes it easier. Come on.” He gestured me over with a wave.
I gulped but stepped towards him. My hands were so small compared to his, fitting inside of his palms with room to spare. Before I could lose myself in his face, I squeezed my eyes shut and aimed my focus on relaxing my body. “What should I try to make you do?”
Sebastian spoke to me softly as to not distract me from my inner peace. “Whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want? That seems a bit bold to tell someone who can do exactly that.”
“I saw how you reacted to the crab incident, so I know you won't do anything too harsh,” he replied.
Air blew from my nostrils in a subtle laugh. “That crab didn't body slam me to the mat while training, though.”
“Valid point.”
I shuffled my feet to cement myself in the sand, then loosened my limbs, letting my arms go slack and using the support from his hands to keep them from dropping to my sides.
I completely relaxed myself, calming the thoughts in my head that never seemed to rest. My jewels sent jolts of energy throughout my face, signaling that my magic was active, ready to emerge and take control of the man in front of me. I imagined my command, repeating the words inside my head, and when I was ready, opened my eyes and said, “Drop your cloak.”
Sebastian released my hands and raised them to untie the knot that held his cloak around his neck. He meticulously moved his fingers to release the strings, then it fell to the sand in a puddle at our feet.
