Page 19 of Silent Secrets

She looks dubious but ends up laying back onto the grass, eyes falling shut as I take the time to watch her. I have no intention of meditating because I already know how, and because I don’t need it to control my magic. It’s something that I do daily when I wake up and right before bed—and any other time that my mind becomes chaotic. I need to pay attention to her, though, so I can make sure she’s doing what she’s supposed to be.

It takes her a few moments, but I can tell when she finally focuses on her breathing as it evens out. It doesn’t take long for her mind to wander—it’s written all over her face. I wait to see if she brings herself back, but after a few minutes, I shake my head.

“Focus on your breathing, princess. I shouldn’t have to remind you to bring your mind back. If I do, then you’re missing the point of this.”

Hadley’s eyes pop open as she glares at me. “How about you fuck off?”

“How about you do what I tell you to so we can move on with this lesson? Or do you not want to learn about magic?”

I see the indecision in her eyes as she tries to decide what’s more important—telling me off or learning what she’s here to learn. She lets out a long-suffering sigh as she slides her eyes closed once more, and this time she’s quicker to focus. Though she loses focus for a moment here or there, I don’t have to remind her to bring her focus back again.

This leaves me with the time to study her without her knowledge. She looks so much like Queen Lilian, though Hadley’s features seem softer somehow, more feminine. And she definitely has King Oliver’s eyes—they’re very distinctive. I’d dated one of his daughters, Layla, for a few months and she’d had the same eyes. It had never been serious between us, but we’d remained friendly and her death had cut me deep. It had forced up memories I didn’t want to deal with.

Not that I’d been able to show it. As my father likes to remind me regularly, showing your emotions gives others power over you. I shake my head and pull myself away from those thoughts that are likely to send me spiraling.

“Good job. Now, let’s talk about the different elements.” I stand and stride further into the gardens, assuming that she’ll keep up. While I can’t show her any magic but water magic, I can at least teach her about them.

For the next hour, Hadley listens to me without interrupting and it makes me wonder if she might be able to do this after all. I scoff, even as the idea runs through my mind. What the hell is wrong with me? Apparently, I should have meditated with Hadley. My mind is obviously a mess, if that’s what I’m thinking about. This girl stands no chance. The harpies in the courts are going to eat her alive.

Wrapping up the session, I have her meditate for the last twenty minutes and this time I join her. It means that I’m not able to make sure she’s focusing as she should, but I need to get my head on straight before I’m forced to endure a meal with her and my friends. It’s up to me to make sure that they’re staying on task, that they understand what’s at stake here.

Though, do I really know what’s at stake?

I wipe a hand down my face as I force myself to focus on my breathing once more. I can’t believe that I’m losing my focus—this is not something that I usually struggle with. Already this girl is fucking everything up and I won’t have it, so I force myself to focus on my breathing until my alarm goes off.

I stand up and stalk off without another word, planning to shower before dinner. Hopefully, I’ll have enough time to meet with the guys too. What I do know is I need to get away from Hadley.

“It was nice to meet you too, asshole,” she yells after me. I hear her muttering to herself, but I don’t stop to figure out what she’s saying. I don’t care, she can be pissed at me all she wants. What she feels doesn’t matter to me—or so I tell myself. If I’m lying to myself, I’ll never admit it.

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