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“Is this how students are taught now, Matron Olsander?” Nuwin asked, then laughed lightly as he sauntered into the room.
A rush of his magic had my body turning in midair.Blessed Mother. Prince Nuwin was like his brother. He held an air elemental affinity as well.
When I was vertical again, he set me down. My feet touched the floor so lightly it was as though I was weightless. He was that strong. That powerful. But I winced when my burned soles met the hard mat.
“All right then?” the prince asked me, giving me a wink for good measure.
I bit back a cringe, determined not to let anyone see that I was in pain. “Yes. Thanks.”
It was all I could manage. I’d just been burned and had almost fallen to my death. My air elemental affinity had failed me when those electric jolts had skittered through my veins. It was as if the electricity that had been coursing through me was so strong that my magic was condensed.
“What in all the realm happened?” Matron Olsander gave me a shrewd scowl, her cheeks ruddy.
“Um, you tell me.” My hands were still shaking. That plummet through the air had been terrifying. I’d truly thought I was going to die.
“You don’t know?” she demanded.
I shook my head. “I thought I was controlling my air affinity and magical Shield well, but then those electrical sparks began running up my—”
I stopped short when Georgyanna coughed and covered her mouth. Her palm hid her face, but I could have sworn she was concealing a triumphant smile.
I frowned.Did she...? No, she wouldn’t have.
I tilted my head up to the beam. It soared above me, looking like nothing other than a plank of wood. But my magical Shield had been strong. Nothing should have gotten through it, so if Georgyanna had used her electrical affinity to cause those jolts, how had it gotten through my Shield?
It would if she’s stronger than you.That whispered comment drifted through my mind.
I curled my fingers into my palms, not liking at all where my thoughts were tumbling or what they implied.
“Well, explain yourself!” my tutor demanded, and I realized she had no idea what Georgyanna had done.
Georgyanna arched a silver eyebrow at me. She stood solemnly now, but she’d dropped her hand, and her expression was dripping with challenge.Come and get me, it seemed to say.
Nostrils flaring, I inhaled sharply. No. I wouldn’t buy into her petty games and accuse her of something I couldn’t prove. That would only make me look weak and defensive, as though I was looking to blame someone for my failure.
I reminded myself that I was new to my magic. Prince Norivun had told me repeatedly not to mistake strength for winters of practice. I simply didn’t know my magic well enough yet to have controlled my descent as Prince Nuwin had done, and I lacked the expertise to fend off Georgyanna’s attack.
“Well?” Matron Olsander demanded again when I remained silent.
“I can’t explain it. I must have slipped when I felt those...sensations,” I finally said.
Matron Olsander sighed. “I didn’t command this room’s magic to do anything electrical.” She tapped her chin. “I shall have to call in one of our casters to recalibrate the room’s offensive magic. It’s been several winters since it’s been properly utilized. Perhaps it’s in need of a few adjustments.”
Huffing, she waved her hand toward the door. “That’s all for today. This shall take me the rest of the afternoon to fix.”
I smiled tightly and gave Georgyanna one last look.
A grin split her delicate features.
Squaring my shoulders, I turned carefully as the males around Georgyanna snickered. Considering the female’s aura was plentiful, I knew she was using her manipulation affinity again, and she apparently didn’t have any problems with playing dirty.
Blessed Mother, she’s truly like Vorl.
My lip curled as I walked toward the door, trying not to limp. It took me a second to realize someone walked right behind me.
I swung around, wincing at the movement, but I was ready to confront whoever followed.
Nuwin held up his hands in surrender. “I come in peace. On the Mother’s honor.”
