Nuwin grinned. “How well you know me. Now...” Without the slightest hesitation, Nuwin sliced Kole’s palm wide open in a deep gash.
Hands shooting to my mouth in shock, I gasped, but Kole didn’t even flinch. Not even when blood gushed out.
“Oh Goddess! Why did you—” But the words got trapped in my throat.
No sooner had Nuwin cut him open than Kole’s skin began knitting itself back together. Magic swelled around the cut, and on my next breath, the cut was fully healed, only the pooled blood remaining.
Nuwin pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to Kole, who proceeded to wipe the fresh blood away.
My jaw dropped. “You can...” I licked my lips. Shock still barreled through me. Shaking my head, I gazed at Kole in wonder. “How extraordinary. I’ve never seen anyone heal that fast before. And that’s all due to another Solis affinity?”
Nuwin snickered. “Indeed.” He arched an eyebrow at Kole. “Didn’t you say the Imperial Council was quite impressed by that affinity of yours in addition to your warrior one?”
Kole didn’t comment, but he gave a slight shrug.
Nuwin chuckled. “Always so modest.” Turning back to me, he added, “As you can imagine, having someone with not only a warrior affinity, but the ability to control the airandrapidly heal, makes him extremely deadly on the battlefield. Even if an enemy lands a hit, Kole’s air can blow them back, giving him a few precious seconds to heal himself before re-engaging. That allows him to keep going and not fall to injury. It’s quite impressive to watch, actually.”
“It is,” I agreed. Even though I’d only seen Kole fight a few times, I’d also been mesmerized by him.
Kole cocked an eyebrow at Nuwin. “Are you done yet?”
Nuwin tapped his chin, looking thoughtful. “Yes, I believe I am, but no need to be embarrassed. We couldn’t let your lovely princess spend her entire life wondering what your magic is. I know you don’t like to brag, so I was happy to do it for you.”
Kole snorted a laugh, then addressed me. “Anyway, the real reason we’re here isn’t to reveal my affinities, but it’s because of someone Nuwin and I both know. We shared the same tutor while at the academy, and we’d often practice together here outside of school-time hours, so when I told Nuwin what I wanted you to learn, he offered this training room to you.”
As if on cue, the door in the far corner of the room opened, and a female Solis fairy entered. She had wide black wings and a rotund figure.
“Ah! Speaking of which.” Nuwin inclined his head toward the female.
The second she beheld Nuwin and Kole, she said in a sharp tone, “Ock, I see that trouble’s arrived.” She strode toward us, her steps quick and sharp as she raked her gaze up and down my frame. “And is this the female I’m to be training today?”
She stopped just shy of us, and I gulped. Even though she was shorter than me, the female had an intimidating air about her, and it took me a second to comprehend what she’d just uttered.
I glanced questionably up at Kole. “I’m going to be training today?”
Kole smiled, a drop-dead gorgeous smile that made my knees weaken. “Surprise. May I present Matron Olsander, the royal’s tutor.” He bowed toward the female. “She’s the most skilled instructor on the Solis continent, and I have no doubt that if anyone’s capable of training you to mistphase, it’s her.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
It struck me what Kole’s cryptic words had meant earlier, when he’d referenced our plan.Of course.After the horrific maze attack, he’d agreed to help me with research and learning to mistphase.
I clapped in glee. “I’m going to learn to mistphase today? Truly? Are you serious?” Excitement burst through me, and I launched myself at Kole and wrapped my arms around him. “Oh, thank you, thank you!”
Kole gathered me to him, his scent enveloping me, and Nuwin snickered.
“Well, if that’s the kind of thanks you’re giving out, Primelle, might I remind you that I helped arrange this?” Nuwin commented in a hopeful tone.
Kole glowered at him. “Not happening, Prince.”
I smothered a laugh just as atskingsound came from the matron. I released Kole completely and faced her.
“It’s a little early for any kind of thanks to anyone,” she said tartly. “You may not even possess the magic necessary to mistphase.”
Composing myself, I dipped my head, but even though the matron seemed far from optimistic, I still flashed Kole a gratefulsmile. He’d known how much I’d wanted to learn to mistphase. Because if I could learn, I wouldn’t be so reliant on others to save me should another attack happen.
Matron Olsander sized me up, then drew her shoulders back. “As Kole stated, my name is Matron Olsander. I’m a tutor here on the Solis continent, and I also taught all of the royals.”
Nuwin winked at me. “Consider yourself lucky. Matron Olsander is the most sought-after tutor of our land.” The prince elbowed Kole. “And if not for your warrior’s unrelenting insistence that I help him in this matter, I fear this training session wouldn’t have been possible, but alas, Kole can be a real pain in the arse when he puts his mind to something, so here we are.”
