Page 42 of Draekora

Alex pulled a face. “You’ve been calling me madam all this time? Eugh. That makes me feel so old.”

Roka laughed heartily, the sound so reminiscent of his future self that Alex’s body relaxed properly for what felt like the first time since she’d arrived in the past.

“I apologise then, Aeylia,” he said. “Stars forbid you ever feel old.”

“Just don’t let it happen again,” she said, going along with the playful moment.

“I’ll spread the word,” he promised. “No more ‘Lasa’ for you.”

Alex smiled widely. “I’d appreciate that.”

He came to an abrupt stop in the centre of the hallway. “If you’re feeling up to it, we can begin your education tonight—but only if you want. I know you’ve had a rather trying day.”

Alex figured the sooner she started, the faster she’d learn—just as she’d come to accept with the future version of Roka training her—so she nodded her head enthusiastically. “I’m ready when you are.”

He looked at her carefully, as if gauging the veracity of her statement, and nodded in return. “What would you like to begin with? Language, history, or the more practical physical capabilities at your disposal?”

If she were in her time, she wouldn’t have been given the option. All she needed then was to learn how to utilise her physical Meyarin abilities. But there must have been a reason why Lady Mystique specifically asked that she be educated in the other areas while staying in the past. She just didn’t know what the reason might be.

“You’re the teacher,” Alex said, leaving the decision to Roka. “Whatever you think is best.”

The prince tilted his head thoughtfully. “I suppose our priority should be teaching you the Meyarin language so that you can communicate with others who will then be able to assist with your training.”

Alex couldn’t resist the urge to scrunch up her face, not particularly eager to learn a language she, for whatever reason, already understood. Sure, it might come in handy being able to speak it, but for now, she was content with no one knowing she could comprehend their words.

Apparently reading her disappointed look, Roka chuckled and said, “Or we could start with something a little more exciting before heading to the library, if you’d like? How about a quick sparring match to see what kind of skills you already have?”

“That sounds perfect,” Alex said, even if she was somewhat apprehensive. She’d fought Roka once before—the first time her Meyarin abilities had ever kicked in—and she knew without any doubt that he’d been easy on her at the time. She wasn’t sure howthisRoka would treat her, especially since he was under the impression that she was an actual Meyarin.

“The palace has a number of training rooms, some more private than others,” Roka told her. “I’m guessing you probably don’t want an audience, so we’ll head to one of the more isolated rooms. It’s located at the top of the east tower, so to save us time I’ll introduce you to theValispathand we’ll use it to take us there.”

Alex stood up a little straighter, excited to learn more about the invisible rollercoaster.

“TheValispathis also known as the Eternal Path, and all those with Meyarin blood can access it as a means of transportation.”

That wasn’tentirelytrue, since Alex hadn’t been able to access the Path in the future despite Aven’s blood being in her veins. That was only because he was disinherited though, which in turn invalidated his Meyarin heritage. But here in the past, Aven wasn’t yet banished, which meant Alex should, theoretically, be able to use theValispathlike any other Meyarin.

“The Eternal Path was a gift from the Tia Aurans, long ago,” Roka said. “You’ll learn more about all that in your history lessons, but all you need to know for now is that they are a race of beings powerful beyond compare. To this day, despite what research we have carried out on the Path, not even our greatest minds can comprehend how it works or what fuels it. TheValispathsimplyis. It has been a source of great frustration for many intellects of our time, but I personally believe it is one of those things that is beyond our understanding and should stay as such. If the Tia Aurans had wanted us to know how it worked, they would have told us.”

His gaze became unfocused for a moment before he came back to himself. “But I digress. You need not concern yourself with any of that. For tonight, you need only enjoy the ride and experience the power of the Path beneath your feet. In due time you will learn how to call it forth and control it.”

Alex made sure to act surprised when the ground moved out from underneath her as Roka activated theValispath. Truly, it wasn’t hard for her to feign shock, since he hadn’t given her so much as a heads-up. But that also meant that she didn’t look like a graceless Meyarin fraud when she fell back against the invisible barrier. While it was such amortalthing for her to do, she had an excuse thanks to Roka’s lack of warning. And for that she was grateful.

The Path took them around, up and through the corridors and walls of the palace until they came to a stop in a large training room—the same one in which she’d fought both Zain and Roka in back in her time. And when the prince started leading her across the padded mat-covered floor, Alex knew exactly what to expect next.

“Just in case someone comes in and you get nervous, this will help keep you from becoming distracted,” Roka said, crouching to the ground and tapping a pattern into the floor. An impenetrable Myrox enclosure rose up around them, sealing them in a bubble-shaped dome, hidden from all eyes and ears.

Alex watched as Roka unclasped his cape and threw it to the side. He was wearing similar attire to what she wore—leather tunic, trousers and boots—but his were more masculine and, well, warrior-like. He also had a myriad of weapons strapped to his belt; weapons she knew he didn’t need since he was lethal enough without them.

“Now,” Roka said, “I want you to attack me.”

Alex blinked at him. “Just like that?”

He opened his arms in invitation. “I need to see what raw material I’m working with, so go for it.”

Chewing her lip, Alex took a tentative step forward, then another. “I’m not entirely sure I’m comfortable with—”

“If you can’t directly attack the heir to the Meyarin throne,” Roka interrupted, sending her a roguish grin, “at least try to defend against me.”

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