Shattered Heart's Plea

Chapter 15: Lesson One

Chapter 15: Lesson One

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Zoe spent the remaining days and hours of their journey back north lost in a storm of thoughts, bracing herself for the rigorous training Eternity would demand. She forced herself to eat more, feeling her strength slowly return, but her mind remained a turbulent sea of unease and anticipation. Despite her efforts to prepare, her thoughts never found peace, constantly churning with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

"We won't be stopping at a lounge house tonight," Kinsley informed her as they traveled through the provincial side of the north. "A storm is coming, and if we stop, we'll be stranded for another day. We're going full speed from now on. Make yourself comfortable. It's going to be long sitting hours from now."

"When can I meet the elders?" Zoe finally asked.

After the ruse they tried to pull with the band, trying not only to steal her magic but to destroy it, an unexplainable rage simmered within Zoe. If not for Healer Hearthstone's potion, she was certain her magic would be radiating from her in waves, palpable from miles away.

"Ethaniel will still be in charge of giving you lessons on offensive and defensive magic," Kinsley said, his eyes scanning the documents on the folder resting on his lap. "However, I doubt it will take long before the elders begin to interfere with your training sessions. They are, after all, the ones who trained every one of Eternity's witches."

"But you do realize you still need to keep me alive, right?" Zoe's voice carried a hint of sarcasm as she snorted. "How am I supposed to defend myself against elders who are likely centuries-old masters of magic? They could easily kill me."

Kinsley closed the folder and set it aside, turning his gaze toward Zoe.

"They already tried once," he said. "They failed."

"Well, yeah—but that doesn't mean they won't try again."

Kinsley chuckled softly, reclining slightly in his seat.

"I doubt they'll attempt it again," he replied with a dismissive tone, before laying back and closing his eyes.

Zoe frowned, turning her gaze away as she settled into the reclined seat. She had been awake for at least twelve hours, trying to distract herself with the shifting scenery outside. Now, with night having fallen and the sky bereft of stars, there was nothing to see but an inky void. After a few more moments of staring into the darkness, she jumped at the sudden roar of thunder.

"There's a storm coming," Kinsley's cold voice cut through the dimness, causing Zoe to flinch. She turned to him, finding him still with his eyes closed.

"We have another twelve hours on the road," he murmured. "I suggest you try to sleep. Don't worry about the storm—I'm not leaving your side."

Zoe sighed and settled back into her seat, striving to ignore the mounting storm outside. With nothing to anchor her anxiety, she curled her feet up onto the chair and wrapped her arms around herself, seeking comfort as she drifted off to sleep.

The twelve hours stretched endlessly for Zoe. Each time thunder roared through the sky, she jolted awake, her unease magnified by the relentless pounding of raindrops on the van roof and windows, leaving her unsettled.

Zoe felt a profound sense of relief as they finally arrived at the Tudor Manor the following afternoon. She was granted the remainder of the day to rest and recuperate from the relentless strain of their journey. As the next morning's rays shone, she was notified that her training with Briagas was set to commence, the promise of rigorous discipline awaiting her.