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Chapter11
My eyes widened as panic ripped through my body, crushing me in an anxiety I’d never known before as I gasped for air that wouldn’t come.
“Getting used to that position, are we?” Nicole’s voice rang out from above me.
My ears pounded, and instead of her voice sounding like she was standing near me, it was muffled like it was underwater. I couldn’t breathe. And there I was. Back in the lake, suffocating and unable to find the surface.
The water crushed me but cradled me, and I was suddenly living the strangest nightmare.
A hand wrapped around my arm and yanked me up, and I rose suddenly, jerking away from the touch.
I stilled. I was in the training room.
I wasn’t drowning.
Nicole eyed me and shoved into my shoulder. My body ached from yet again falling directly on my chest and having the wind knocked out of me. I needed to get better at the whole falling and landing part of getting my ass beat in training apparently.
“Lucky shot,” I said, attempting to smile and cover up my momentary flashback.
“All right you two,” Lieutenant Tomas’ voice rolled over me and I cringed. “That’s enough for today.”
Nicole bumped into me again. “You’re getting good.”
I guffawed at the irony. She bounded over to Lord Gabriel, who was already prepared to leave.
I turned to find Noah, arms folded across his chest as he tsked at me. “I’m going to lose a lot of money to Lord Gabriel if you keep winding up on the floor every day.”
“What?” I snapped. “You’re betting on me?” I gritted my teeth, not liking the feeling, but Noah laughed in a way that turned my rising anger into a mere annoyance.
“Yes, I am. Shouldn’t it make you happy that I believe you have skills?”
“Hmph.” I grabbed the towel that was draped behind the prince. “I’m ready for a shower. Any plans for today, No—” I stopped myself and looked over my shoulder. Tomas was out of hearing distance, but I remembered Noah had said it was Your Majesty around others. “Your Majesty,” I corrected myself without drawing any attention.
“That shower will have to wait. We have a council meeting. Very soon. I need you outside of my library in ten minutes.”
I groaned and ran my hand over my neck. I was disgusting after another rigorous training. Even while Noah and Gabriel had been fighting, Nicole and I were working. My sudden engagement in the activity made her happy for something to do, so the two of us were working harder together.
He moved in close, and I sucked in a sharp breath. “Problem?” he asked in a low whisper.
“Of course not. I’d be honored.” I did a slight bow and turned, leaving him behind for once.
I jogged from the training room back to my own quarters and enjoyed the quiet for the short time I had as I rushed to change and look somewhat presentable, despite the definite stench of drying sweat. With my new vigor in training, the sessions were longer and the down time lessened. Even with the castle lockdown still in place, I finally wasn’t bored out of my mind.
I pulled my hair back in a tight braid and left my room, hoping I remembered how to get to Noah’s private library. I hadn’t been since we’d first met, even though he did say I could borrow some books. I made a note to take him up on that offer ASAP.
The prince was already waiting for me, looking cleaned up as if he’d somehow had all the time in the world to get ready.
Noah lowered his head toward me. “Whatever is that smell?”
I gave him the best glower I could manage. “Not all of us can magic ourselves clean, Your Majesty.”
He shrugged and gave a quick smirk. “I don’t need magic, Cora.”
Noah laughed and began walking away from the doors and deeper into the castle than I’d been before. His playfulness turned somber the farther we went into the palace. “Listen, there will be eyes and ears everywhere at this meeting. I need you to just do whatever is asked of you. It will most likely be serving food and water.”
“Okay,” I said, unsure of what else to expect or why I was getting a pep talk.
He continued, rushing his words as if he was ensuring he said everything he needed to before someone overheard. “Normally it’s only council members' feeders allowed, or servants who have been in their positions long enough to establish immense trust. It’s a secret meeting, so keep that in mind.”
