The Last Daughter of Elysia

Chapter 8

 At the sight of the icy globe Morgana's mouth ran dry as if she'd eaten a mouthful of sand. She wanted to run out of the training room, but fear would only get her into trouble now.

"I'm ready," she said.

The ball of ice flew towards Morgana, and she flipped over it. Damon sent another globe. She paused, as it floated inches from her forehead. A chill kissed her skin.

"Again," Damon said.

Morgana moved back into place and fought the fear that kept resurfacing as if it were a buoy tossed on violent waves. They trained for a couple more hours, until the last round when Morgana finally found an opening in Damon's defense. He threw six ice balls which she ducked and dodged. The seventh ball whooshed past her face as she got close enough and punched Damon in the stomach. He curled over with a wheeze and dropped the last ice ball which exploded on Morgana's thigh. She screamed as a thousand needles pricked her leg followed by numbness. Her knees buckled and Damon caught her. He lowered Morgana to the mat and used his earth magic to cut a hole in her pants. Her skin had blackened from frostbite. Morgana's mouth dropped open at the sight of her ghastly leg. Damon swore, then raced over to the healing kit, a wooden chest in the corner of the room. He ran back and applied a healing balm that smelled of rosemary to Morgana's leg. She sighed, relieved, as warmth returned to the skin. After another layer her wound was healed.

"I think that's it for today." Damon applied another layer of balm for good measure.

Morgana nodded, but for the first time since her attack she felt better. She had hope that she might stand a chance against a fae. Even though Damon went easy on her, she still got a shot in.

"You learned quicker than I thought you would." Damon placed the balm back in the healing kit. "I've spoken to Dain and Elvenia's families, and they shouldn't bother you from now on, but if they do, at least you'll be able to protect yourself better. Or you'll be able to protect yourself if you come across any Aeperians, they're notorious for killing humans."

Morgana frowned. If Aeperians were notorious for killing humans, then how come their prince saved her?

Damon picked up his tunic from the floor, and Morgana thought of something else that was unusual about Aeperos Court. "I noticed, during the Spring Ball, that the Aeperian guards were ladies." Morgana gingerly touched the healing balm on her leg. "Is that something they usually allow?"

"Of course. But that's typical of a barbaric culture."

Morgana's eyes narrowed. "How is allowing females in the guard barbaric?"

"Because ladies are ladies and should act accordingly."

Anger flared inside Morgana's chest. "Well, I think it's more barbaric to expect females to waste their lives and their minds by playing housemaid to some lazy male. Although that wouldn't happen if I were lucky enough to find a lady suitor, I know she wouldn't treat me terribly."

"Ladies who have their own finances are rare so I wouldn't hold my breath." Damon snorted. "So, does that mean you'd rather be in the guard, doing grunt work, instead of sitting in a gorgeous manor organizing the household servants where your largest worries will be whether you planned your parties or dinners well? I don't see why you wouldn't want that, Morgana. It's fun to be a lady." He picked up a couple of mats and placed them in a wooden cupboard along the wall.

"If you think being a simpering fool who organizes parties and chores is a fun thing then you have a screw loose in your head. It is not fun to have something that boring as the entire means for your existence." Morgana gave him a sharp look. "It would rot my brain, as it has done for many ladies. It's not fair that females are restricted in this way. At least you have options. If you were born female, then you'd be stuck in the same boat as Aelys and I. You wouldn't be General or the Heir to the throne."