Cursed By Thorns

Into The Shadows

Evelyn woke the next morning with a renewed sense of determination. Her encounter with Morvan had left her uneasy, but it had also ignited a fire within her—a resolve to uncover the truths hidden within the Winter Court and to harness the power that seemed to be awakening inside her. She could no longer afford to be passive, waiting for answers to come to her. The only way to protect herself and her world was to actively seek out the knowledge and strength she needed.

The Winter Court was a realm of secrets and mysteries, and Evelyn was determined to unravel them. But first, she needed more training. After her first lesson with Kael, she understood that the magic of the fae was vast and complex, far beyond the raw, untamed power she had experienced during the attack on her village. The fae's magic was a living force, deeply intertwined with the natural world, and to master it, she would need to learn its subtleties.

The morning air was crisp as Evelyn made her way to the courtyard where she had trained the day before. The palace was quieter than usual, the hallways empty, as most of the court was still resting. The tranquility of the early hour gave Evelyn time to reflect on everything that had happened since she had arrived in this realm.

Kael was already waiting for her when she arrived at the courtyard, his expression unreadable as usual. He was seated on a stone bench beneath the ancient oak, seemingly lost in thought. As Evelyn approached, he looked up, his silver eyes meeting hers.

“Good morning,” Evelyn greeted him, trying to hide her nervousness.

Kael nodded in response. “Morning,” he said. “I see you’re eager to continue your training.”

Evelyn hesitated before speaking. “I am,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “But I also want to understand more about what’s happening here, about Morvan, and about why I’m here. I don’t want to be caught off guard again.”

Kael studied her for a moment before nodding in approval. “You’re right to seek answers. This world is not as it seems on the surface, and knowing who and what you’re dealing with is crucial. But those answers will come in time. For now, you must focus on your training. If you’re to survive here, you need to be able to defend yourself.”

Evelyn agreed, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that Kael was still holding something back. She wanted to press him for more information, but she knew that would have to wait. There were other ways to gather knowledge, and Kael was right—she needed to be able to protect herself.

They spent the morning working on more advanced techniques, moving beyond the simple exercises of the previous day. Kael taught Evelyn how to manipulate the energy around her, guiding it into different forms and controlling it with precision. The exercises were demanding, both mentally and physically, and by midday, Evelyn was drenched in sweat and exhausted.

Kael paused the training when he noticed her fatigue. “You’re improving,” he said, handing her a water flask. “But you’re pushing yourself too hard. You need to pace yourself, or you’ll burn out.”

Evelyn took the flask and drank deeply, grateful for the break. “I just feel like there’s so much I need to learn, and not enough time,” she admitted.

Kael’s expression softened slightly. “There is time, Evelyn,” he said. “But you need to trust the process. Magic isn’t something you can master overnight. It takes years of practice and experience. You’re doing well, but you need to be patient with yourself.”

Evelyn nodded, though she still felt the pressure of the unknown weighing on her. She knew Kael was right, but it was hard to quell the anxiety that had been growing since she arrived in the fae realm.

As they resumed their training, Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them. She glanced around the courtyard, but saw no one. The sensation of being observed was unsettling, and it made it difficult for her to focus. When she looked up at Kael, she could tell that he sensed it too.