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“Are you dehydrated?” Lyell asks, concerned. “Delirious? Have they been drinking spirits or mead?”
“We’re fine,” Madigan tells him. “It’s just funny. That’s all. We’ll explain it when we’re done training.”
“Right,” Ecaeris drawls. “And what were you training them to do, Tal?”
He points to Ada. “She can explain it better than I can. I was just overseeing their safety.”
“Ada?” the Mongrel prince prompts.
“We have no rules,” she states, then wobbles her head. “I mean, I’m sure there are rules we should follow… But that’s not the point.”
“What is the point?” I ask.
“Coming from Earth, where elementals aren’t a thing… We have no preconceived notions of what we can or can’t do in this situation. I don’t know how I control the water. I just do. I feel it in every molecule of my body, and then I act or react.”
I nod. “Water and fire are alike in that aspect. They’re very emotional elements, ranging between extremes. Calm or destructive. Passionate or devastating.”
“Right,” she agrees. “But they also produce life. Safety. Warmth. Balance. So, that’s what we’ve been testing.”
“Does she ever make any sense when she speaks?” Lyell asks us.
“Sometimes,” Ecaeris divulges, his brow knitting as he tries to understand Ada. “Other times, I just follow her lead until I grasp what she’s trying to do. Usually manipulate me, but truthfully, I’m just happy she hasn’t thrown rocks at me today.”
“What?” The Shade prince sounds outraged. “Why rocks?”
The Mongrel prince only shrugs. “Something about a glass house.”
Madigan snaps her fingers. “Hello. We’re in the middle of a conversation. Please do try to pay attention.”
“So you were testing your elements to see if they can provide safety during an attack?” I inquire, getting us back on topic. “They can. Talodus knows that better than any of us.”
“Yes and no,” Ada replies in very typical fashion. “We wanted to know if we could repel the attacks, yes. But we also wanted to test our limits, see if we could warp the rules you follow to fit our… What’s the word I’m looking for?”
“Style?” Madigan supplies. “Game plan. Agenda. Technique. Modus operandi,” the Shade sings.
Ada squints at her. “Approach. We have a particular way of looking at things that’s different from what you’re used to, so we’re pushing the boundaries.”
Lyell squeezes his temples. “Will you just show me what you’re talking about?”
Ada glances at Madigan, silently asking for permission to fight the Shade’s lover. She shrugs at our Mongrel goddess, a slow grin creeping over her lips.
“Knock him on his ass, Ada.”
The Shade prince takes a step backward. “I’m not getting in—”
“Yes, you are,” Talodus tells him, his grin one of first-hand knowledge. “If you want to see, it’s best to experience it. She won’t hurt you.”
Madigan points to Ecaeris. “You too, Water Boy. Let’s go.”
I’m shocked that Ecaeris lets the comment slide by him, though he’s more focused on comprehending the situation. Talodus leans against the fence beside me as both princes step forward. He still wears a knowing grin that leaves me wondering what I’m about to witness.
“Wasn’t Faldron out here with you?” I inquire, searching for the Shade guard.
“He was,” Tal answers, his attention never wavering from our goddess. “He grew tired of Ada and Madi knocking him down, so he went with Imy to review the maps.”
Lyell stands across the training ring from Ada, Ecaeris several feet from his right side.
“What do you want us to do?” The Mongrel prince calls out.
