Page 54 of Crowned

His lips twitch into the faintest smirk. “You’ve got three of the best teachers in Aerwyna right here. We’ll make sure you don’t blow up the place.”

Reef crouches in front of me, his expression serious. “Bhodi’s right. What you did just now was incredible, but it’s just the beginning. If you’re going to survive what’s coming, you need to learn control.”

The weight of his words presses against my chest, and I nod, determination settling in my gut. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Cove claps his hands together, his energy as infectious as ever. “That’s the spirit! We’ll start small, work you up to the big stuff. By the time we’re done, you’ll be giving the Elders a run for their money.”

“Speaking of the Elders,” a voice says, as Vance steps out into the gardens, his expression dark. He pulls a folded piece of parchment from his pocket and hands it to Reef. “We’ve got more intel.”

Reef’s eyes narrow as he unfolds the parchment, scanning the contents quickly. His jaw tightens, and he passes it to me without a word.

The writing is rough and hurried, but the message is clear:The Shadow Legion is moving. Their target is the Keep of Ashen Falls. Expect an attack within days. Prepare accordingly.

I look up at Vance, my stomach sinking. “The Keep? That’s on the outskirts of Aerwyna. Why would they target it?”

“It’s strategic,” Vance says, pacing. He walks toward us with measured steps, his gaze sharp and calculating. “The Keep of Ashen Falls is one of the oldest magical fortresses in Aerwyna. If they take it, they’ll have access to its archives – and its defenses.”

“Then we can’t let that happen,” I say firmly.

“And we won’t,” Vance replies. “But we have to be smart about this. If the Shadow Legion is moving on the Keep, it means they’re escalating their plans. We need to be prepared for anything.”

Cove leans back on his elbows, his carefree demeanor at odds with the tension in the air. “Sounds like we’ve got a lot to do. But first, I vote we let Malia catch her breath. She just unlocked her magic deliberately for the first time – don’t you think she’s earned a little downtime?”

“Downtime isn’t an option,” Vance says, his voice hard. “Not with this kind of timeline.”

“It’s fine,” I interject, cutting off the brewing argument. “I’ll rest when we’re safe. Right now, I just need to focus and go again.”

Reef looks like he wants to argue, but something in my expression stops him. He nods, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

“Good,” Bhodi says, pushing off the tree and gesturing for us to follow. “Then let’s get back to work.”

We return to the queen’s suite as the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows over the corridors. I should be exhausted, but there’s a strange energy humming through me, keeping me on edge.

Reef, Bhodi, and Cove didn’t let me rest. We spent hours in the garden, with them pushing me to channel my magic in controlled bursts.

“Concentrate on the feeling you had earlier,” Reef had instructed, his voice calm but firm. “The ocean. The power. Hold onto it and direct it where you want it to go.”

Which is what I’m trying to do now, sat on the sofa, back in our room. I close my eyes, breathing deeply as I picture the waves in my mind. Slowly, I extend my hand, willing the magic to respond. A soft ripple of energy flows outward, sending a stack of books on the coffee table toppling over.

“Better,” Bhodi says, his approval genuine. “But you need more precision. You can’t just knock things over – you have to aim.”

“Let’s give her a break,” Cove says, collecting and restocking the books. “She’s been at this for hours.”

“I’m fine,” I insist, wiping sweat from my brow. “One more round.”

Cove and Bhodi exchange a look, but they don’t argue. “Reef can oversee. We’re going to go and grab us all some dinner, okay?”

I nod absently, already tuning them out and focusing on the stack of books before me. I need to crack this. Whatever’s coming our way, I want to stand by their side and fight, not be a liability on the battlefield. So I take a deep breath and turn back to my training once more.

It happens when I least expect it.

Reef steps forward, taking my hands in his. His touch is warm, grounding, and I feel a rush of calm wash over me.

“Stop overthinking,” he says quietly. “Let it come to you. Feel it, Malia. Don’t fight it.”

I nod, closing my eyes once more. This time, I let myself feel everything – the fear, the hope, the determination burning in my chest. The magic answers, surging through me in a wave of warmth and light.

When I open my eyes, the training room is bathed in a soft glow. The air hums with energy, and for the first time, I feel like I’m in control.

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