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Lyubov Chernikova
The Prince's Bride and Magic Butterflies
© L. Chernikova, 2017
© AST Publishing House LLC, 2017
Prologue
Twelve years before current events
- Oelrio! Oelrio! Where are you, baby?
“Good kitty, come to me,” I repeated in a whisper, attracting the animal’s attention.
She persistently extended her hand, palm up, forward. Another mental message: “Come!”
Hot breath fanned my skin, and I closed my eyes in anticipation, expecting that I would be able to touch the huge, velvety, slightly damp nose. She even shuddered with impatience - she so wanted to run her fingers into the silvery, soft, thick fur covered with round spots. If only the nanny would stop screaming!
“Well, please, Nissy!” – I silently begged, unconsciously reinforcing the thought with the demand to submit, but, of course, such tricks don’t work with a nanny. Eh...
It didn’t cost me anything to hide from my nanny in the thick bushes. The thorny branches always parted, revealing secret passages and paths, all you had to do was wish it. This drove the servants assigned to me crazy, and even more so my father, who was terribly angry when he once again learned that I had fled outside the estate.
-Lady Oelrio! – it sounded closer and stricter. The nanny seemed to be losing patience.
The huge beast raised its ears warily and sniffed. A barely audible growl was born in the depths of his throat.
“Hush, kitty, hush,” I reinforced my words with a mental message to calm down.
The raised fur lay down, the dilated pupils narrowed a little, and I admired the striking shade of light blue eyes, just like my new satin dress.
- Kisa, I love you! - sincere words from the bottom of my heart.
Now it seemed to me that there was no one closer and more beautiful than this huge cat, the size of my father’s horse: “Well, please, Great Mother, give me a little more time!”
The beast sensed my desire. The dark gray wet nose with a bluish tint finally poked into the palm and exhaled noisily, making you giggle - it tickles! Barely holding back a squeal of delight, I more boldly ran my fingers into the soft, delicate fur under the chin and scratched it, as if it were an ordinary hunting cat. There was a purring sound, similar to the roar of a distant waterfall, which my dad once showed me. Unable to contain my delight, I hugged the powerful neck, sneezing when hairs got into my nose.
– You are so soft! I like the way you smell. Nice kitty, let's be friends? – I whispered, continuing to stroke and scratch the thick fur, rejoicing that my simple caress was pleasant to the beast.
- Oelrio! – behind me there was a crackling of bushes and an indistinct curse, in which my sensitive ear caught my own name. - Oel... Great Mother! – the nanny finished in a voice that had shrunk to a barely audible whisper.
I felt the muscles under the soft skin tense, the deep purring turning into a menacing guttural rumble. The mustache bristled, sharp fangs almost as long as my arm were exposed. The huge wild cat hissed, showing an impressive grin. She slowly backed away, crouching with her front paws on the ground.
I felt how what had barely arisen between us was collapsing, and I fell, letting go of my powerful neck. She stood up, brushing dry leaves from her hem, stained with green grass juice, and stamped her foot in disappointment. On the contrary, in a small clearing hidden in the shadow of spreading branches, a nanny stood as white as a sheet.
“Nissy,” I frowned sternly, watching as she, without taking her frightened gaze away from the beast, frantically tried to fumble in her apron pocket. - Nissy! If you do this, I will let the kitty eat you...
And yet the nanny succeeded. My father gave her a summoning amulet just in case I did something “like that” again.
A moment - and my beloved and very formidable daddy appeared next to us, the expression on his face did not bode well. One glance in our direction - and a whip appeared in my father’s hand, woven from a black haze. The formidable Lord Yarrant flicked it in the air and shouted:
- Arr'thelle tirset!
The cat slowly retreated, continuing to grin, and then, turning sharply, jumped into the thickets. Before the cloudy veil of my father’s protection enveloped me, a powerful tail lashed my legs, and I fell to the ground again.
– Oelrio Satem Daria Yarrant!
Oelrio is actually me. Satem and Daria are the names of father and mother. A full name in such a situation did not bode well. My father spoke quietly, but threateningly, and I involuntarily glanced sideways at the whip in his hand. And what? After all, he promised to tear it out more than once. Is it enough?
Lord Yarrant followed my gaze and, wincing, dispelled the formidable weapon with a slight wave. Phew, it seems it got through this time too. I stood up, brushing off the hem of my new... hmm... it looked like an old satin dress.
- Hello, daddy! – I ran towards him with a joyful smile.
My father is the most powerful magician in the Eressold Empire, and Nissi and other servants always shy in his presence. But not me. After all, dad loves me very much, and therefore I’m not afraid of him at all. Even when this eerie black haze is spreading around.
While I was running, I managed to notice how Nissi hastily rises from the ground, holding on to a tree trunk - apparently she fell out of fright, and moves to the side, cautiously looking at the muddy haze. She tries to reach her with thin tentacles, but immediately returns to her father’s feet, obeying his will. Without fear, I took my last steps straight through this foggy haze, feeling a light gentle chill tickling my bare, scratched and soil-stained knees.
My father’s strong arms grabbed me, and I continued to smile dazzlingly, but from the stern look I realized that it would not be possible to completely avoid punishment.
- Kitty, huh? – I asked seriously, as if I was still very little, and I felt anger mixed with fear bubbling in my father’s chest. “Is he so scared for me?” - Daddy, the kitty is good. She wouldn't touch me! “I’m already eight, but I knew that when Lord Yarrant is angry, it’s better to pretend to be a baby, so daddy will forgive me faster.”
– Oelrio, do you even understand how dangerous arr’thelle is?
So. Looks like things are really bad. Still Oelrio. Not Elya and not Lyara - that means my father is really angry with me. The inky haze continued to flow near his feet. The long black hair moved barely noticeably, as if alive. I tried to calm them down with a mental message and met my father’s gaze full of indignation. And the nanny continued to retreat step by step in the hope of hiding among the trees. Haha.
- Hanissia! – Lord Yarrant’s stern shout made the poor nanny close her eyes and involuntarily bend down.
- M-my lord? – it seems she already regrets that the kitty didn’t eat her. Or arr... arr'thelle? Is that what your father called the beast?
– Hanissia, why did you disobey the order and go outside the estate with the young lady?
– We were walking in the garden, and then Oelrio disappeared. I rushed to search and found it only here. I don't understand how this happened, my lord. Sorry…
Nissy was wringing her hands, there was such sincere remorse on her face that I felt very ashamed.
– Daddy, it’s not Nissy’s fault! I asked for bushes, and they let me through.
– Did you ask for bushes? – Father’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Evening of the same day
“Today I was again forced to urgently leave the meeting in the palace; the summoning amulet that I gave to Khanissia worked. Praise be to the shadows and the Great Mother that I am able to move to my daughter, wherever she is. And what do you think? I find this scoundrel next to the relic! Not with just anyone. A real arr'thelle in the flesh!
- Great Mother! – the gray-haired, long-bearded old man in a gray robe, right down to the toes, decorated with intricate emerald lettering along the hem and collar, could not restrain himself. He looked at me intently with bright green eyes.
I hastily stopped swinging my legs and playing with the flower in the pot, forcing it to either bow according to my mental order or copy the nanny’s movements. Nissy, who had received a scolding from her father, stood at the door with her hands folded on her stomach and her lip primly stuck out, deliberately not looking in my direction. “Still, I was offended,” I thought, again feeling a slight pang of conscience. Hanissia is kind and sincerely loves me. She forgives me all my pranks and reads me fairy tales at night. You definitely need to ask her for forgiveness...
Meanwhile, the old man came closer, and I felt the smell of hay. He squatted down in front of me and lifted my chin with a dry, calloused finger, turning my face towards the light.
- Marvelous! Such a baby... Eyes like a Thunbergrans on the second day of flowering. Eyelashes clap-clap, as if the bird-bee mel’saa is circling over a flower. Skin like moonlight on ripening apel fruits...
- My friend, I didn’t understand a word, as usual...
– I admire the beauty of your child. And how could someone like you give birth to this flower?
– Oelrio took after her mother...
- And glory to the Great! Daria...
- Picelius, please!
- Sorry.
Green eyes like spring grass looked at me again:
- So how did you say you were able to leave the protective perimeter?
- Bushes?
“Bushes,” the old man confirmed, grinning.
“I just asked... they let me through,” I answered less confidently, as if my tongue didn’t want to obey.
It seemed as if the old man’s eyes were now covering the entire room from me. Neither father nor nanny is visible. Only greenery and narrow vertical pupils, reminiscent of arr'thelle. They began to expand and contract, and it seemed to me as if drums were beating somewhere far away. It was unclear - are the drums beating and the pupils dilating to the beat, or vice versa? A monotonous voice rang out, but I didn’t understand a word...
- Amazing! Dark energy responded to the pure manifestation of the energy of Life...
- My oversight. I turned out to be too self-confident. Again,” there was hidden bitterness in my father’s words, and I realized that it was because of my mother.
“I placed a block, your daughter will no longer be able to use her power to its fullest.”
– She won’t be able to use energy at all?
“I left the minimum for household needs, so to speak,” the old man laughed raspily. – When the time comes, we are waiting for her at the Academy.
– And arr’thelle?
– He won’t remember, like the rest.
I tried to open my eyes and ask: what am I not remembering and what is arr’thelle? But sleep took over first...
Chapter 1
“...And the world was on the verge of destruction because of that war. And the Great Mother woke up. She opened her eyes and was amazed at what she saw. And she lifted up her right hand, and the gods fell at her feet. And the Great Mother opened her mouth and spoke a word. And the world was covered with dense forests without end and edge. And those forests gave birth to animals seen and never seen. And the Great Mother squeezed her right hand in anger and deprived the gods of their power. And she told them to live side by side with people and survive in the new world. And they began to be called Lla'eno and led people after them..."
Picelius. "Gods war. Lla'eno"
Office of the Imperial Advisor
– Satem, you still have a couple of hours before the embassy from Faybard arrives.
Lord Satem Llorgh Yarrant looked up from the maps where he was making notes and looked at his interlocutor in surprise. He did not notice this, since he was looking out the window, standing with his back to the table at which the adviser was working. A light breeze played with the leaves of the trees growing at a distance, bringing the smell of freshness into the office. Somewhere in the crowns, a disturbed bird screamed shrilly.
– If you are talking about the plans delivered by Verderion’s reconnaissance group, then I’m almost finished...
- I'm talking about Oelrio.
Before answering, Lord Yarrant looked around the office wearily.
Every curl on the carved armrests of the chairs, every curve of the bas-reliefs decorating the ceiling, and the desudéportes above the doors and large, open windows that reached the floor, conveyed a discreet luxury. The walls, covered in green silk, were decorated with portraits of prominent statesmen of the past, all from Lla'eno. A pair of snow-white busts in the spaces between the windows and heavy curtains, matching the walls, decorated with gold frills and tied with the same ribbons, and a thick carpet on the floor, concealing the sound of footsteps so that the servants would not be distracted. This office is a mirror copy of the imperial one, and Lord Yarrant has been its rightful owner for almost twenty-five years.
– What does this have to do with my daughter? – the answer finally came.
The interlocutor did not believe the surprised tone for a moment.
– Today the Academy of the Great Mother opens its portals for new applicants.
- Oh, that's what you're talking about. – Lord Yarrant winced and turned his gaze back to the cards.
– Allarik, please don’t start. I will be calmer if Oelrio remains in the estate under reliable protection...
– Satem Llorgh Yarrant! If you weren't my first advisor, right-hand man and friend, I would think you were either an idiot or sent by Yart to harass me.
The dark, short-haired man turned. Black eyes stood out brightly on a pale face, their gaze pierced the interlocutor through and through. He slowly walked up to the table and leaned his fists directly on the ill-fated card, preventing the lord from continuing his work.
Satem looked with a sigh at the fingers decorated with rings, the bracelets peeking out from under the cuffs of the strict imperial uniform - all completely powerful artifacts, imbued to the brim with all three types of energies. The uniform itself, black with silver embroidery along the stand-up collar and cuffs, decorated with two rows of diamond buttons, is the same as that of the adviser himself. The difference was an order encrusted with black and ordinary diamonds, stretching the neck - a sign of distinction that at one time replaced the crown.
Lord Yarrant slowly raised his eyes. This very order was now dangling, swaying, almost right next to his nose. Following his movement, the adviser joked:
“Allarik, don’t you know that you can’t hypnotize a shadow magician.”
“Don’t go off topic,” laughed Allaric Norang the Fifth, Emperor of Eressold. – You still have time to deliver Oelrio to the Academy. The tests will last until the evening.
– Listen, Picelius himself put a block on her potential, resting his soul in the halls of the Great Mother. Over the past years, Lyara's gift has never caused trouble again, and that suits me. You know, less problems.
The interlocutor grinned knowingly, but continued his persuasion:
“We need her gift.” Another strong druid will not hurt the Empire. Again, one should not exclude the possibility that the block will be destroyed by third-party intervention or removed independently, as usual, at the most inopportune moment. Picelius warned that the entire Thicket, led by crazed relics, could gather in response to her involuntary call. Don't we have enough problems?
Satem hesitated, admitting that his interlocutor was right, but was not going to give up.
The Emperor repeated:
– Satem, the girl must study. Go right now and be back in time for the ambassadors to arrive. You will negotiate. I also need you to listen to our private conversation with the Shining One.
“Allarik, you are my friend, but I wouldn’t want to risk my daughter either.” “Lord Yarrant stood up, throwing back the resin strands that had escaped from his tail, which was held in place by a black ribbon. His gray eyes, surprisingly light for a shadow mage, flashed with irritation.
The Emperor pursed his lips, watching as shadows swirled around the adviser’s feet. He hissed, and they immediately disappeared, as if dissolving into the milky-fawn pile of the carpet.
– Do you want to lock the girl in the estate until the wedding? – the sound of steel could be heard in Allarik’s voice, reminding him that he rightfully occupies his place.
“If it were up to me, I wouldn’t marry Lyara at all!”
- But my will is here! – the Emperor barked and continued softer: – Satem, your possessiveness will not lead to anything good. Remember Daria.
- Allarik, please! – the mere mention of this name made the powerful shadow magician’s heart clench painfully, and a feeling of his own powerlessness crept up in his throat, despite the passing of years.
- Why is it that I start talking about my stepsister, and you, like the last weakling, hide your head in the bushes? Your insane jealousy has brought your relationship to disaster! Daria left, and it's only your fault.
- She cheated on me! – the adviser’s self-control failed.
-Have you ever tried to find out what happened? Perhaps everything is not as it seems and you have drawn the wrong conclusions?
Lord Satem, playing with his nodules, went to the window, trying to breathe deeply and evenly, focusing on controlling the shadows and his own emotions.
“You should apologize to her for that scene.” I’m sure she would forgive,” the emperor continued.
– Do you know how many times I tried to do this?! But Daria didn’t want to listen, and then she just up and disappeared. I couldn't get through the shadows to her, no matter how hard I tried. She is dead, my Daria! And please, stop talking about this. This is not a conversation that will set me up for productive communication with Fibard's ambassadors.
“I would have felt her death,” the Emperor continued.
- Fine. If she is alive, why hasn’t she sent any news in all these years? Didn’t you at least visit your daughter if she doesn’t want to see me? – The adviser’s palms hit the map.
Allarik shrugged:
“I’m sure my sister has good reasons for such behavior.” That is why I ordered the search to be stopped then. – The Emperor glanced at the dial of his wristwatch. – Take your daughter to the Academy and come back, we don’t have much time.
– Lord Satem Llorgh Yarrant, I order you as your emperor: take your daughter to the Academy! In the enemy camp, I need a loyal and strong ally, not a helpless girl!
Chapter 2
Lyara
The wind hit my face, playing with my hair and horse's mane. A sharp turn, and now the dark chestnut strands mixed with the milky hair of the horse, and then all this wealth whipped across the cheeks and into the mouth. I turned Apel around again and, laughing and spitting as I walked, directed her towards the stables.
Apel, my new horse, a dapple-gray, thin-legged beauty with a luxurious long mane and tail that I love to comb, was galloping. I sat on her back like a glove, feeling the hot body under me. I don’t like saddles, but my gift for feeling animals allows me to get along well with them. Moreover, with anyone, from hunting cats to wild wolves, which can sometimes be found in the lands. No, of course, there are exceptions. For example, father's resin stallion Demon. Brr! Creepy beast.
Today turned out to be a beautiful fine day after a whole week of prolonged downpours - the coming autumn was making itself felt. We galloped along the levada, enjoying life and speed. I was happy, and so was the horse. Happiness feels especially vivid compared to other emotions, the echoes of which I can catch if I deliberately concentrate. It flows like a stormy stream, generously spilling the energy of life around. Now I was literally bathing in it, glad that it was available to me. Sometimes I wonder how I would live if I didn’t have such abilities? What if I didn't have Lla'eno blood running through my veins?
Lightly squeezing her steep sides with her knees, she mentally commanded: “Home.”
Clods of wet earth flew from under the horseshoes when Apel turned sharply, and within a few minutes we found ourselves in the stable. Rumbling along the wooden flooring, they passed numerous, now empty stalls, reaching the opposite end. I deftly jumped down as I walked, and Michal, the junior groom, habitually opened the gate leading to the small paddock. He was about to follow to abuse my horse, but I stopped him.
- Michal...
The guy turned and, smiling, brushed away the bangs that had fallen over his eyes with his hand.
- Madam?
He was only two years older than me and had a thick head of straw-colored hair that kept getting into his eyes. His impressive height and amazing strength made it possible to cope even with the Demon, his father’s tar stallion. The servants said that the blood of a relic flows in the beast’s veins. It's a pity that my abilities and knowledge are not enough to check this. So, even I am afraid to stay alone next to him, despite all my skills. Michal, on the other hand, walks, cleans, feeds, saddles on orders and even dares to sit on horseback without any problems. At such moments, his light blue eyes sparkle with delight, and a powerful flow of emotions, the wild mixture of which I personally call “thirst for adventure,” simply knocks me off my feet as soon as I forget to dampen my perception.
The guy's dreamy gaze settled on my modest person. I came a little closer than decency dictates, and, looking up, asked:
- Did you bring it?
The groom immediately frowned, his radiant smile fading like a fine winter day.
“Uh-huh,” nodding doomedly, the guy involuntarily looked at the open gate, as if thinking of running away.
Without allowing Michal to come to his senses, I pressed my palm against his chest, forcing him to retreat into the open stall. I barely reached his shoulder, and it is unlikely that I would have been able to move this colossus from its place if he had not succumbed. Fortunately, there was no need to order.
- Show me! Well yes-a-va-a-ay! “I jumped on the spot, but after a couple of jumps I forced myself to calm down, I just bit my lip out of impatience.
- Madam, maybe it’s not worth it? Your father will fire me,” a bit of fear slipped into the groom’s voice, and, in confirmation, I felt the sour taste of this emotion.
No. It won't work that way. If I feel too strongly, I will become infected myself. I was silent for a moment, feeling how the empathy that had been deliberately promoted during the race was gradually fading away. That's better. Now I don’t need it, and it uses up my already small reserve.
– Michal, you are very brave, I believe in you.
My hand was still resting on his chest, and I, as if by chance, moved my palm lower, feeling the elastic muscles tense under the thin fabric of the plaid shirt, so warm and hard. So far everything seems to be as written in the books.
The groom sighed heavily and put his hand in his belt.
He handed me a small flat box and quietly stepped back.
- Everybody is here?
The guy swallowed his saliva and nodded. Fears. It’s in vain, my father never comes into my room, otherwise he would have long ago discovered a rather large collection of “inappropriate” ladies’ novels and magazines, which our cook Marissa secretly supplied me with at her own peril and risk. In return, I gave her various things like expensive cosmetics and designer jewelry. I didn’t have any pocket money, since there wasn’t much to spend it on on the estate, but Nissi went out from time to time and brought me what I needed. But nothing “inappropriate for a noble lady” is natural.
So. The order has been received, and now it’s time for “unheard-of audacity,” that is, I wanted to say gratitude. Yeah! I climbed onto a very convenient deck that happened to be here. In general, it doesn’t belong in the stall, but it looks like someone brought it here to reach the sash of the narrow window upstairs, and forgot to put it away. This will come in handy for me too.
Now Michal and I are the same height.
-Are you expecting a reward? “I tried to speak confidently, but my heart was ready to jump out of my chest.
- Madam...
- Lyara, Michal. I asked.
I wrapped my arms around the guy’s neck and looked out from under closed eyelids. The smell of horses, sweat, fresh hay and some subtle aroma of either hair shampoo or perfume - this mixture was exciting, and I involuntarily inhaled deeper. Why is your heart beating so hard? And my palms are wet... Unless I’m shaking with fear. I saw how the guy clenched his jaw, and doubt in his eyes fought with desire. Wants? Of course he does! But he is very afraid.
- Mr. Lyara. No need, I’ll bring you more for nothing, you know. Just “Death of the Relic” you...
Well, I do not! I'm twenty, and I've never kissed anyone before! And there is no one suitable in the estate except Michal. Although I still got lucky here, I doubt I could do it with someone I don't even like. But either the guy didn’t realize how much I wanted to try, or he pretended, or maybe he really was, so afraid of my father and my situation that he himself never dared after a whole month of vain hints. I decided to act on my own.
Nothing like that, just an innocent kiss.
Pulling closer, I tried to remember how it was described in books... Eh, it would be easier if the initiative did not come from me...
Michal's lips were soft and warm, and kissing turned out to be quite pleasant. Perhaps I’ll repeat it sometime, or is that not all? By the way, where is the dizziness and wobbly legs, as they wrote there? Where are the “strong arms squeezing in an embrace”? I realized that I wanted more passion, and out of impatience I bit the groom on the lip. Michal recoiled in surprise. His gaze changed. Is he mad at me or is it something else?
- Lyara, your father will not fire me, but kill me! “At that same moment the guy stepped closer, and I found myself pressed with my back against the wooden partition, and his wide palms grabbed me tightly around the waist. I even squeaked in surprise. “My death will be on your conscience,” he breathed before his lips covered mine, and his tongue suddenly rushed into my mouth, and...
I think I'm lost. Feeling my cheeks heat up, I braced myself with my hands, pushing the groom away.
- Stop! Stop it.
The guy finally realized what I demanded of him and released me. We were both breathing heavily, looking at each other. It became completely awkward.
“Excuse me, madam...” Michal removed the bangs that had fallen over his eyes.
“Nothing...” I looked away and quietly stepped down from the deck, my legs giving way. - It was... not bad...
I hurriedly left the stall, but didn’t have time to walk even a couple of steps when I buried my nose in someone’s chest. I recoiled in surprise, but they held me back.
I blinked my eyes a couple of times and either felt or guessed how Michal was holding his breath in the stall. Yes, it won’t be easy to explain to Lord Yarrant what the two of us were doing there. We should take him away.
- Daddy! – Letting out a joyful squeal, I jumped up, spreading my arms.
My father picked me up and spun me around so easily, as if I weighed no more than a feather. The sharp features of his face softened, as always in such moments of tenderness. If only someone could see the formidable Shadow Lord now.
Hugging my father's neck, I planted a kiss on his clean-shaven cheek and inhaled the familiar aroma of eau de toilette, recognizing wormwood and oakmoss.
– You said to wait for you on the weekend. The ambassadors didn't arrive?
- Not yet. Elya, I won't be long and should be back at the palace within the hour. I was informed that you had gone for a ride, and I went straight here in the hope of meeting you. How's my gift?
– Apel is magnificent! Thank you, daddy!
“I’m glad I pleased you,” my father kissed me on the top of the head.
“Dad, you didn’t sneak home right before the ambassadors arrived to find out about the horse?”
Taking my father by both hands, I turned him around to face the exit and looked seriously into his eyes, noting with my peripheral vision how Michal was quietly getting out of the stall. Praise the Great Mother, I guessed it. Having walked a few steps deeper into the stables, the guy stopped sneaking around. Now go figure out where exactly the groom came from. Turning around, he winked at me encouragingly, and I involuntarily admired the impressive figure. Yes, he’s just like those heroes from the covers of my illegally obtained books.
– Elya, I have important news. You are going to the Great Mother Academy.
It seems that I was so immersed in my thoughts that at first I didn’t realize what I was talking about.
– I understand that you are surprised. I should have prepared you for this thought, but I neglected my fatherly duties. Fortunately, the education you received at home will allow you to pass the entrance exams without any problems...
- Dad, what are you talking about? “I still couldn’t comprehend what I heard.
– Oelrio, Allaric is not only my friend, but also my master. He gave me a direct order and I have to obey, sorry...
- Stop! “Yes, I am one of the few who dares to speak in such a tone with Lord Yarrant.” - Dad, let's get it in order. What exactly did the Emperor order you? What exams are we talking about and what do I have to do with it?
- Elya, were you even listening to me?
I involuntarily glanced sideways at Michal, who entered through the back gate with an armful of fresh hay, and my father followed the direction of my gaze. The groom greeted his master politely with a bow. Lord Yarrant chuckled and looked at me intently, but I put on a bored expression on my face, as if I had nothing to do with the handsome servant. My father took my hand and headed towards the exit.
- Well, what about exams? – I returned to the conversation.
– Today is the day when the portals of the Great Mother Academy are open to new students. We need to leave immediately.
– Academy of the Great Mother?! – my surprise knew no bounds. I couldn’t see the road I was walking on and could barely keep up with my father, mechanically shuffling my feet. Academy of the Great Mother! Academy! I will learn? I will learn!
I haven't left the estate for the past five years, my father said it was too dangerous, and I had no reason not to believe him. The Emperor's advisor has many enemies, and I had the opportunity to be convinced of this, and therefore I lived as a voluntary recluse, like my most precious treasure, under the supervision of faithful servants. And suddenly! I'm going to the Academy.
I was flooded with emotions. Joy and fear mixed with delight rolled up in a lump in my throat, and thousands of questions arose in my head, which, from shock, I was not able to put into words. It seems that the father said something else.
- Hey! – he called, and I finally raised my head. - Baby, where are you hovering today?
- Sorry, dad. The news shocked me greatly.
The father took a quick glance at the wristwatch hidden under the sleeve of his black and silver uniform.
- Let's leave right now. I will take you to the Sacred Grove myself. Let's go.
- Right now? – I even stopped. - Right now?
- Yes, there is absolutely no time left to get ready.
My father walked quickly, crunching the gravel on the path that led us through the park behind the estate - a real labyrinth of intricately trimmed bushes and flower beds, miniature ponds and waterfalls. To create it, Lord Yarrant hired the best druids of Eressold and spent a lot of money, explaining that this was what his mother wanted. The park stretched right up to the security perimeter, immediately beyond which lay the Thicket.
- What about my things? – I thought about a thousand little things dear to my heart.
– Elya, there’s no time to get ready. I’ll finish my business and drop by in the evening to see how you’ve settled in and talk to the rector. At the same time, I’ll bring you everything you need, Khanissia will prepare it.
– But... I suspect that she is dressed inappropriately.
My father stopped and meticulously looked me up and down. Throwing a concerned glance at his watch, he winced skeptically and sighed. He didn't seem to care about what I looked like before. I usually prepared for his appearance.
The tight-fitting khaki T-shirt left a strip of skin on my stomach exposed; at least I had a short jacket made of thick fabric covering my shoulders, and even then I pulled it on just in case it was windy outside. My outfit was completed with well-worn trousers with voluminous pockets, which are so convenient for carrying treats for animals, and soft moccasins with laces.
Lyara
Turning sharply, I walked away without looking back, feeling the itching between my shoulder blades from the prince’s gaze. My friends followed me. At the entrance to our branch, Cas’s strength finally left her, and Sandr carried her to the room in his arms. It was very embarrassing in front of my friend, because for my sake she, consider it, did the impossible. They were all not afraid to take risks.
- Sorry. I don’t know what came over me...” there were no words, so I limited myself to a short one: “Thank you.”
“Come on,” Sander turned, squatting next to Cas. “That’s what friends are for, to get each other out of different shit...” he stopped short under his sister’s gaze and, giving way to Tillier, finished less expressively: “Trouble.”
Tilya, meanwhile, began to cast a spell on Cas, sharing her life energy.
The guys, having received Cassandra’s assurances that no one would just open our door, went home. It was already quite late, and we decided it was time to sleep. As she lay down in bed, she noted with relief that there was no longer a pink bouquet in the room. After suffering for some time from annoying thoughts - Galen’s words never left my head - I decided to talk to my father tomorrow at the first opportunity and find out everything. Nonsense, of course, most likely he will laugh at me. So be it, but I need to know.
In the morning, instead of instructor Tagre, Roxana Arkench showed up at the training field.
“You have changes in the program,” she was taken aback. – Now physical training classes will alternate with turnover practice.
There was a mixed reaction. Those werewolves who had already crossed this line were happy, but the rest were slightly taken aback. No, we all dreamed of learning to turn around as quickly as possible, but we were timid when it came to it.
“Instructor Arkench,” Parami raised his hand. – We were not warned, and today we came without a special uniform. How are we going to train?
- Gentor, are you sure you will need it today? – Arkench arched her eyebrow skeptically.
The guy was confused:
- No, but... What if...
– There is a backup option, Parami. – Roxanne pointed to the changing cabins at the edge of the field.
“The main thing is don’t turn back ahead of time,” Cassie counterfeited him. – I don’t want to see this!
The guys started laughing.
- Talkers! – Instructor Arkench called to order. - Behind me!
She walked briskly towards the locker rooms, and we followed. The area adjacent to the booths was fenced off. The trunks of the still young trees were tightly intertwined with ivy, the spaces between them were planted with dense bushes, in addition, the improvised walls curved inward at a negative angle - a mouse would barely slip through. The naturalists have clearly done their best here. Not far from the locker rooms there was a small gate that turned out to be wide open.
We did as she said, scattering in two directions. I was surprised to note that both girls remained in the first group. However! A blow to self-esteem.
Instructor Arkench continued:
– To begin with, the determined werewolves will demonstrate their skills. If anyone has problems, please let us know in advance.
Sandr timidly raised his hand.
- Hortez?
– I... I have difficulty with reverse rotation. The last time I had to call a specialist... And yet, I behave badly in my incarnation.
There was more laughter and speculation. Roxanne shushed the wisecrackers and nodded to Cassie. Then, turning around, she asked:
– Who knows how the turnover happens?
The entire first group and a good part of the second raised their hands. Except me...
– You should imagine yourself as your animal.
“That’s in general terms,” Roxana nodded. “But really you just need to become yourself.” Let go of your self, which every werewolf instinctively holds on to. But this method is more suitable for those who have already turned around on their own. The first time everything happens spontaneously and unconsciously. Most often, under the influence of some shock that caused strong emotions, or impressions, unfortunately, mostly negative. Until this moment, you may not know what kind of beast lives inside you.
Perhaps this was the question that most worried the entire second group. I couldn’t believe that I had some kind of second self. How did they even determine this? What if there is still an error?
“I see the distrust in your eyes,” Roxana grinned. – We will find out what this depends on during the theoretical lesson, and we will even be able to calculate the type of your animal using a special formula. There is a correspondence table. In pairs?
Gentor, standing next to me, raised his hand.
– Why then didn’t we study this material before?
- Good question. It’s not for nothing that the practical lesson on turnover comes earlier. Now you are not yet burdened with unnecessary knowledge, and therefore many of you will be able to turn around naturally for the first time.
- But why? – I couldn’t stand it.
But I was almost happy. I calculated the coefficient, looked at the sign who you are, and voila!
– Many will want to accept a different hypostasis than that intended by the Great Mother, and as a result, an internal conflict may arise that will impede turnover. In addition, these calculations are only approximate, and the table does not show all possible values.
There was a collective sigh. It looks like I'm not the only one who hoped for this method.
– In the booths there are ponchos made of the same material as the special uniform. First group - change clothes. Yes, Alani?
- What about undressing completely? – Celia blushed.
Arkench silenced the animated boys with one glance.
“You understand correctly,” the instructor addressed everyone: “Did you hear that?” Get rid of clothes completely. You should only be wearing a cape. It wasn’t enough to then collect the torn trousers throughout the “corral”.
We laughed together.
When the first fifteen people, dressed in spacious capes covering most of the body, returned from the booths, instructor Arkench continued:
- Come to me one by one. You name the name and hypostasis. Go to the center of the site. Performing a revolution or trying to. If it works out, you return to your human form, change into your clothes and you can be free for today. The rest will train until the end of the lesson.
I was terribly interested in finding out who is who.
“Aslan El-Farez,” the southerner volunteered first; I didn’t hear who he was turning into.
The Arendol prince walked out into the middle of the “corral.” He stood there for a while, and suddenly a huge mountain bear with black shiny fur appeared in his place. He stood up on his hind legs and roared menacingly.
Yes! Now try to make an impression after this. It's hard to believe that behind such a formidable guise hides a polite and reasonable guy.
Meanwhile, the bear made a circle around the site, returned to the center and again became my friend Aslan. The southerner sedately walked towards Arkench, and only the predatory gleam in his gaze and the fluttering cape, under which tanned strong legs covered with dark hairs flashed, reminded of what he had seen.
- Sile-en! – shouts of admiration rang out.
- Well done!
- You're cool, buddy! From now on I’ll think seven times before bullying you. – Cassie clapped the southerner on the shoulder. “Now I’m ashamed to turn around.”
I casually glanced at the girls, Moria's expression amused. Stunning, admiration and something else. OU! Is our cold and calculating know-it-all really so sensual? I suspect that the lessons of turnover promise to teach a lot of new things.
“Excellent, Aslan,” instructor Arkench praised the prince. “Self-control is simply excellent,” she wrote something in the journal. – It’s surprising that you don’t have a restraining tattoo.
– I have always had excellent control over myself. There is no need for it.
“And this happens,” the teacher involuntarily rubbed her neck, decorated with bright green curls.
The turnover was going well. One after another, my classmates came out onto the field and assumed their roles. Wolves were most often encountered; they were barely inferior in number to lynxes. There were several foxes and even another bear, they turned out to be a silent bumpkin, whose name always escaped my memory. Finally, only Moriah and Cassie remained. Both seemed embarrassed to show what they were capable of, and every now and then they let everyone go ahead.
“Be brave,” the girl stepped aside, looking at Cassie defiantly.
“Only after the lady,” the friend bowed gallantly.
– Don’t delay, you’ll have to do it anyway! – Roxanne shouted.
Moriah raised her chin proudly and walked forward. She stood there for a while, concentrating, and then, slipping out of her spacious cape, a large black crow fluttered up. Having announced the surroundings with a hoarse croak, the bird made a circle over the “pen” and flew straight into one of the changing cabins. After some time, Moriah came out from there. Everyone was silent in shock. Birds were extremely rare among werewolves.
“Very impressive,” Arkench noted. – Valkis, you have amazing prospects. How long can you stay in the air?
“Long enough,” the girl shrugged, looking surprisingly upset.
“Moriah, you just don’t know your worth yet,” Roxana encouraged her.
The guys who had completed the transformation were in no hurry to leave. Only four headed towards the Tree.
- Hortez, are you ready?
Cassie shuddered and somehow doomedly trudged to the center of the “corral,” looking so ridiculous in a cape that was too short for him. Stopping in the middle, he looked at everyone with his lips curled, and I sent him an encouraging smile. Sandr noticed and winked at me, and a moment later a huge gray-blue dog with a shaggy muzzle appeared in his place. These are called wolfhounds. The dog wagged his tail and yelped, surprisingly thin for such a size.
Everyone laughed. Even Arkench couldn’t help but smile.
- That's enough, Hortez. “Come back,” she asked after the dog ran four laps around the paddock.
But for some reason Cassie was in no hurry to take on her usual appearance. Instead, he began to hunt for the only fly he could see. The antics and jumps with such dimensions looked not only impressive, but also incredibly comical, and soon we were all rolling around with laughter.
- Enough, Hortes! “I’ve already given you a separate point for your sense of humor,” instructor Arkench wiped away her tears.
But Cassie, as if not hearing, continued to rush around the “pen”, then stopped and, apparently, began to dig a tunnel, barking and shaking his ears every now and then. Lumps of wet earth flew in all directions.
- Hortes! Forest demons! – Arkench cursed, and it began to dawn on us that something was wrong.
At that very moment something happened to Cassie. Noisily inhaling air through his nose, he stopped childishly and growled dully, turning to Arkench.
- Stand! Student Hortez, concentrate. Remember who you are. “The instructor extended one hand forward, pulled the other one back slightly and, crouching slightly, began to move towards Cassie, moving to the left.
The wolfhound continued to growl dully, watching the teacher with yellow eyes. No amount of persuasion seemed to work. Cassie could not shed his hypostasis.
“Cassandra Rush Hor...” Arkench didn’t finish.
I screamed as the dog knocked the woman down. But, a moment before the powerful jaws grabbed her throat, Roxanne turned around. A large red cat, twirling its tail, flew headlong along the fence to the very top and hissed menacingly from there, pressing its ears.
Something needs to be done!
- Sandra! – I rushed into the “pen”. – Sandra, it’s me – Lyara! Sandra, turn around!
I frantically tried to reproduce the state in which I was able to order two seasoned werewolves, but as expected, nothing came of it again.
The bared muzzle turned in my direction. Squealing, I barely had time to jump out. Immediately a blow from powerful paws followed at the gate.
It’s good that Parami, who followed me, was nearby and helped slam it shut. The click of the magic lock was heard, and you could relax.
At the same moment, the red cat jumped down like lightning and, already right above the wolfhound, took on a human form. Instructor Arkench deftly saddled the dog and, clasping his throat with her right hand, performed a choke hold, forcing him to raise his head. At the same time, she pressed her knees into the ground, miraculously preventing Cassie from getting up. And where does this little woman have so much strength?
When the wolfhound stopped resisting and hit the ground with its tail, Roxana slightly loosened her grip and with one hand began stroking the huge jaw from below, as if she was caressing an ordinary yard dog. She leaned over and whispered something in her ear. The dog, which had stopped resisting, whined quietly in response, and suddenly Arkench found herself sitting astride Cassie. His tattoo could be seen glowing with a greenish glow. As if nothing had happened, Roxana stood up herself and extended her hand to the guy, helping him get up. Sandr stood up and straightened his cape.
– Hortes, I understand the problem. You will come to me on Wednesdays and Fridays for individual lessons.
At these words, laughter was heard again, and Sandr blushed.
“Student Yarrant,” I shuddered in surprise, “you are being reprimanded.” For the next theoretical lesson, prepare a report on the topic “Safe handling rules. Possible deviations and precautions."
I nodded in agreement. And she really was stupid. There was no need to interfere so thoughtlessly.
- Hortez, change your clothes. Second group, you too.
I headed to the nearest free booth. Having undressed, she pulled on an oversized uniform. When I went outside, I felt awkward: all these guys knew that I wasn’t wearing underwear.
- Oelrio, you first.
My heart beat wildly in my chest.
- But I dont know how…
– First, try it on your own, as your inner self tells you. It’s as if you are tense, but you need to relax. It's okay if it doesn't work out right away.
I nodded. In the end, suddenly in reality everything is really not so difficult, I didn’t even try.
Having reached the middle of the “corral”, she froze.
Well, I seem to have relaxed. Or not?
Nothing happened.
Maybe I should try to evoke that same feeling of power that washed over me in the dining room? But it’s true! Only that time I was scared of what was happening and instinctively tried to restrain myself, not to let it happen... Although I myself didn’t understand what exactly to prevent. Maybe it was a turnover?
It's hard to try to "lose your temper" and maintain a mental shield at the same time. Under a disapproving glance, Arkench opened up. I don’t know how else! The curiosity of my classmates made it difficult to concentrate. She turned her back to everyone and raised her head up, peering into the blue sky.
Who am I anyway? Until today, I strongly associated werewolves with wolves. I can see Verda’s scouts leaving for the Thicket. I tried to feel like a wolf. Four legs, gray fur, big teeth... But no matter how much I tormented my imagination, trying to imagine myself as an animal, nothing happened. I even tried to growl quietly.
Nothing. I remained myself.
- That's enough, Yarrant. Too many unnecessary thoughts. No need to think!
- I do not know how! – she almost stamped her foot out of frustration.
For some reason the failure unsettled me.
– Change into your clothes and go to the treadmill.
– Can we see how the others try?
– Oelrio, did I say something unclear?
Here you go! Not only am I embarrassed, but I also feel like I’m being punished. In the booth, I quickly pulled on my training suit and left.
I walked past the guys towards the treadmill, my friends smiled encouragingly.
“It’s okay,” Cassie whispered. - Don't be upset. And that's... sorry. I told you I was becoming bad.
“Don’t worry,” she patted him on the shoulder and turned to Parami: “Gentor, good luck!”
Parami nodded tensely, recalling the day of the exams with his concentrated look.
I ran.
When I, sweaty and out of breath, entered the fourth circle, having long been unable to withstand the specified time, a third of our “non-werewolves” had already joined me, among them was Parami, who silently rushed past. It seemed that Gentor's failure weighed him down more than it did me.
- Yarrant! – the shout of instructor Arkench overtook him. Oh miracle! She ran with us. - What are you thinking about?
- About the lesson. “I took a couple of shuddering breaths. The poorly taken pace quickly took my breath away.
– Since you have the strength for this, increase the pace!
- Forward, Oelrio! Faster!
Gritting my teeth, I increased my speed. My lungs were already burning, having forgotten about all the rules, I began to breathe as I had to, and Arkench, as if nothing had happened, stuck to someone else, and soon our entire friendly company, whistling, wheezing and gasping, was moving their feet around the training field. I don’t know how many new circles I was able to do. Maybe five, or maybe not more than one, but as expected, she fell first.
Someone wanted to help me, but the instructor’s sharp shout did not allow him:
- Yarrant, get out of the path! And don’t lie down!
Barely nodding, she somehow crawled to the side and, staggering, rose to her feet. Sweat filled my eyes, there was a merciless tingling sensation in my side, I coughed and with difficulty suppressed the urge to vomit, glad that I had not yet had breakfast. In general, now, what is this about demons? Something wasn’t quite how I imagined the turnover classes would be. Guys who were more resilient than me began to leave the race, but many were still running. Roxana Arkench was rushing between them and yelling something. Looks like she decided to beat us to death.
I quietly headed towards the Tree, it was already the end of the lesson anyway. I need to change clothes and have breakfast, and at the same time try to contact my father.
“Don’t worry,” Cassie stroked my hand, carefully giving me the best pieces of meat. True, he stole them directly from the plate of the gloomy Parami, who was chewing measuredly, absorbed in himself.
When Sandr reached for another portion, Tilya hit him on the hand, and the meat fell from the fork onto the table. Sandr casually picked up a piece and deftly put it into his mouth, without being embarrassed at all. After such a lesson, we needed a hearty breakfast. Unlike my girlfriends, who limited themselves to porridge, I ate along with the guys.
“Now we’ll fatten up your little animal,” Sandr continued to console me, “you’ll see, he’ll show himself.”
“I wish I knew who this animal is...” she muttered under her breath.
I must say, I was worried about something completely different. Before breakfast I contacted my father. True, Lord Satem was busy, but he promised that he would come see me in the evening if possible. The conversation turned out to be somewhat dry. Dad was in a hurry, and I realized that for some reason I was angry with him in advance, and this feeling made me uncomfortable.
After breakfast, the whole group went to “Fundamentals of Concentration and Energy Management.” This subject was taught simultaneously to all first-year students, regardless of the direction of magical energy and specialty. The class took place in a huge hall, the floor of which was completely covered with thick, hard meditation mats. We, without hesitation, settled right on them, and while talking, we did not notice when the teacher appeared.
A tall, skinny-faced shadow man with dark, thick, shoulder-length hair suddenly appeared next to us, making me flinch. In appearance, he reminded me of Master Snare from a children's fairy tale about a magical academy, in which the main character, Curry Gopter, had a scar on his forehead in the shape of a four-leaf clover. I didn’t fail to tell Tilla and Cas about this, and now the girls could barely restrain themselves from giggling.
“My name is Master Naram Goff,” said the shadowman in a low, monotonous voice, which, however, was equally audible in any corner of space. – I will teach your subject until the end of the first semester. “He began to slowly walk around the hall. – A little about this place: in the concentration hall, a strictly defined amount of energy of all three types is maintained in a special way. This makes it easier to assess your abilities and allows you to simulate different energy states. Over time, you will understand how important it is to be able to get what you need from what is at hand in any situation. Even with decent potential, but not knowing how to properly allocate expenses, you will not succeed as a magician. I will teach you how to interact with pure energy. This is especially important for shadow workers, since most of our skills are tied to this.
Very interesting! I was all on guard, it seems I need this item like air.
“Now break into threes,” continued Master Goff, “form circles of power, to do this, join hands.”
The teacher fell silent, waiting for everyone to follow the instructions.
Cassie, Tilya and I sat in a circle and even held hands when Cassie’s indignant whisper was heard:
- Well, I do not! – he clicked his tongue. - This will not work!
-What don’t you like? – his sister clarified.
“Tili-li,” Sander widened his eyes, “should I hold their hand?!” – in feigned horror, he pointed at Aslan and Parami. - Never! Come on, little sister, give in.
He unceremoniously lifted and moved the taken aback Tilya aside, plopped down in her place, carefully picking up his long legs. She glared at him indignantly for several seconds, and then suddenly waved to someone. The same doctor boy with whom we took the exam together was heading towards us. It’s strange, but I didn’t notice him during the last joint lesson.
“Girls, meet me,” she tensed a little, as if remembering, “Sevinj Armory Grossentalle.”
“Just the Doctor,” he smiled, bowing.
– Will you be third? – Tilja suggested, picking up Parami by one hand and extending the other to the redhead.
Sevinj turned slightly pink, so that his freckles became brighter, and nodded. Parami cast a questioning glance at Tilirio, but she only raised her eyebrow coquettishly.
“Sorry, Aslan,” Cassie continued to clown. “Today my friend Gentor and I won’t be able to hold your hand.” You're on your own somehow.
Before the southerner had time to answer adequately, Moriah and Celia jumped up to him. Looking approvingly at the smiling girls, Prince El-Farez shook hands with them with a majestic gesture, giving Cassie a look of superiority in return.
- Here you go! I did it again! – the Dog was graphically indignant.
– Is there something that doesn’t suit you? – Cassandra asked in an even voice.
- What you! “Sander, showing off, brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her, without looking away.
“Leave foreplay for after-hours,” the teacher’s voice said overhead.
We jumped in surprise, and Cas blushed. And how does he even manage to reproach so monotonously?
- Are everyone separated? I remind you, form circles of power within the same energy. We will go through the conversion of one type to another later.
Mixed threes were brought in, but soon everyone was ready.
- That's fine. Listen to the task: scoop up a portion of energy from the surrounding space. Give it density. Result of the task: a visually visible clot of energy should appear in the center of your circle of power.
Everyone began to whisper; many of us, it seemed, had never done anything like this before.
– Hint: It’s quite easy to take a large portion, but it’s much more difficult to keep it down. Learn moderation. Pump up the energy gradually, in small parts, but don’t make it too small. Decide on the optimal volume and begin pumping up the chosen shape. Perhaps start with a ball - it is much easier to form. The more energy you can put into your figure, the tighter it will be and the better it will be visible. The main trick is that you must add approximately equal portions of energy. By the way, for those who have a healer or shadow worker in their circle of power, it will obviously be easier.
- Wonderful! – Cassie was indignant. “Perhaps we should have left Tilia,” he looked at me skeptically.
- Hey! – she pulled his hand. - Take it easy! Otherwise I’ll make you bounce back and forth all day! – I threatened and bit my tongue. Demons! I shouldn’t talk about this ability of mine.
Fortunately, Cassie didn’t understand anything, and the others didn’t care either.
“Proceed,” Master Goff commanded.
I exhaled and concentrated. Failure in the last lesson filled me with determination to take revenge at least in this way.
By the way, none of us three had experience interacting with clean energy. I suspect that we are far from exceptions, judging by the confused faces and frowning foreheads of other students. Except that the healers looked more cheerful, since most of their magical skills are tied to subtle manipulations with the energy of life. Yes, shadow warriors, who are mostly warriors, with their deadly shadow blades and other rubbish.
We opened up to each other enough so that the shields did not interfere with interaction, and began to absorb energy from the surrounding space. The first few attempts were unsuccessful. Nothing really worked out. Each of us had quite an impressive potential and could take a fairly large portion at once, but there was no way to concentrate it at one point.
- Stop! It seems to me that we are doing everything wrong,” I shook myself, opening the circle. – What if we try to mentally visualize our actions to each other?
“Why not, especially since it’s not difficult,” Cas agreed, Cassie also nodded.
- Fine. Then we don’t rush, we try one by one. Sandr, you first, then Cas and me. For now, we just take a portion of energy and direct it to the center of the circle of power, and then we’ll see. Maybe it will become clearer.
And this time it didn’t work out again, but we were able to understand why. Sandr simply threw out energy at high speed, and it dissipated in space, and Cas and I did the same.
“Hmm,” the naturalist thought. - And if one person is pouring in, should the rest just try to hold it in place?
- Good idea, let's try.
This time it turned out better. Cassie tried very hard to control the flow rate, and we helped keep the energy at one point. Then they began to do it in turns - one pours, two control. Before our mind's eye, in the middle of the circle of power, hung a small transparent ball, like a soap bubble. Unable to bear it, she opened her eyes to see if he was really there. At the same moment, a disappointed sigh was heard from the friends. I realized that I had lost the setting. The bubble had dissipated and now we had to start all over again.
- Oops! Sorry!
“It’s okay,” Cas replied, and I suddenly realized that we were talking in our heads.
“Let’s pump him up harder first, and then we’ll see,” Sandr suggested, and we agreed.
I don’t know how much time passed, but we were pretty tired. Each new portion of energy became increasingly difficult to obtain. In the end, it was just me doing this, and Sandra and Cas were putting all their energy into keeping our creation in place. And the creation, I must say, turned out to be remarkable! A turquoise, completely opaque ball, approximately fifty centimeters in diameter, hovered above our heads in the center of the circle of power. Malachite stains rolled across its surface like a soapy film.
“That’s it,” I finally ran out of breath. – I can’t add a bit more.
- Are we watching? – Cas asked.
It was scary to open my eyes. What if we destroy the result again? It would be a shame if so much work was wasted. It felt like we had been doing this for over an hour. My hands were shaking, my back was terribly stiff, as was my butt. But on the other hand, if the ball is still not visible to the eyes, then we have not worked enough.
“On the count of three,” Cassie decided, taking on the burden of responsibility. - Three!
We slowly opened our eyes, trying not to lose concentration and keep the ball in the same place. Fortunately, he didn't disappear anywhere. On the contrary, it became brighter and more real and seemed to even be humming quietly.
- Wonderful! You completed the task. Everyone, look here - this is a great example of well-coordinated teamwork. True, you deprived your fellow Druids of the opportunity to complete the task, but that’s a good thing. Next time they will be more efficient, besides, no one forbade us to organize protection. – He turned to us again. – Now, at the same time, release your control, but only gradually.
We did as he said, and the ball slowly began to rise until it touched the high ceiling, which was covered with something like a protective barrier. The ball gradually absorbed into it, flashing a golden streak as a farewell, and the ceiling went dark, as if nothing had been there.
– Hortes, Yarrant, Elle, I give it excellent. Now open the textbook on page five and study the technique described there until the end of the lesson. If you have any questions, you can contact me afterwards.
Under the envious glances of the druids, sweating with tension, from whom, it seemed, I had stolen the last reserves of life energy right from under their noses, we did as the master ordered. Having opened the textbook, I was happy to note that the indicated technique was what I needed. “Forced clearing of consciousness,” or simply: how to quickly do it so as not to think about anything.
The next lesson was turnover theory and we met again with instructor Arkench. Having studied the first few paragraphs of the textbook and the formula by which you can calculate the approximate appearance of your animal, the whole group began laboratory work. I easily learned the material, but the only thing that was very disappointing in advance: there weren’t many values given in the table, so you had to accept that you wouldn’t get an exact answer.
Having received the final result, I, as expected, was among the “lucky” ones.
Carefully re-reading all the possible options, I thought that by the will of the Great Mother, who endowed Lla’eno with her gift, it was possible to turn into only certain, most often predatory or dangerous animals with claws and teeth. Those who find it easier to survive in the Thicket. Much less common in birds. In modern scientific magic, there are only two cases where werewolves were transferred into ungulates - into a bull and into a stallion. There is even a theory that the prerequisites for these precedents were mental disorders. Fortunately, in our time this is impossible. Healers at an early stage are able to identify and correct any deviation, but magicians with irreversible changes in the psyche are simply blocked from their potential. At this point I was slightly shocked, because they treated me in a similar way. I’ll have to ask my father about this, and about my mother. Last time he left easily, but I didn’t forget anything.
Overall, I realized that magical abilities are distributed for a reason. All of them are aimed at the survival of humanity in the harsh conditions of a world completely overgrown with Thickets. For example, shadow fighters are pure fighters. Druids are like a border link between the others and the Thicket. A kind of envoys, capable of speaking directly and even entering into some kind of symbiosis. The majority of the Shining Ones are defenseless, but it is their inventions that allow others to become much stronger and provide comfort and convenience. Conclusion: remove one link, and the rest will have a hard time. And I’m not even talking about ordinary people who do not possess magic at all, but who successfully use the fruits of the labors of magicians. Take our teacher and famous traveler Rondo Firth.
– Oelrio, have you already finished calculating the coefficient? – the voice of instructor Arkench pulled me out of my thoughts.
– Yes, but my value is not in the table.
I've always been good at math, so I've already had time to double-check everything three times. The formula itself was not complicated, the main difficulty was to evaluate and calculate more than thirty-seven parameters, each of which represents an average value.
– Are you sure there is no mistake?
– By... ninety-seven percent.
Roxana Arkench, arching her eyebrow, looked at me intently, then asked:
- Who else is ready?
– Only four hands went up, among which was Aslan.
– Which of you does not have a coefficient in the table?
There are only two hands left.
– You are coming with me. For those who have the same odds, study the next paragraph or help those who cannot cope.
Me, two other guys and Arkench sat down in the last row, where we began to re-check our work together with the teacher. One of them actually had an error in his calculations, or maybe he initially tried to adjust the result to something specific, but he didn’t do a very good job. And with us everything was correct.
- Well done! – Arkench praised. - Dont be upset. Whatever hypostasis is hidden inside you, it will be exactly the one that best suits your essence and will sooner or later manifest itself.
The bell rang and we went to lunch and then to the library to get ready. Everyone has already managed to grab additional tasks. The teachers did not stand on ceremony, loading the students from the very first days. Only after dinner we decided to take a break and go for a walk. Cas didn’t come with us, citing some business, so we went with Tilya alone.
When we reached the center of our favorite labyrinthine park, the challenge amulet on my neck twitched, and out of habit, I squeezed it in my hand. I did this before, when my abilities left much to be desired, although now a simple mental effort would be enough for this.
- Elya, daughter, I got out. I’m already on my way from the portals, I’ll be there soon.
- Dad, we are in a small park, in the very center near the fountain. Do you know where is it?
- Certainly! It’s even better this way, no one will bother us, although if it’s something serious, I’d prefer to talk at home.
- Is this Lord Sa... Yarrant?
- Yes. Dad’s at the Academy,” for some reason my heart began to beat faster. I even twisted my wrists from excitement. What is it?
“I guess I’ll go,” my friend muttered somehow tensely.
I nodded silently. This conversation is not for prying ears. But before Tilya had time to hide on one of the paths, my father stepped towards her, and the girl backed away.
“Lord Satem,” Tilya breathed and stared at my father with wide eyes. Then, as if having come to her senses, she hastily curtsied.
Great Mother! And why does this irritate me so much? I gazed intently at the scene unfolding in front of me.
It seems like nothing like that. Dad himself allowed her to address him this way, and the reason was good enough for this. Actually, it’s me. And the friend behaves according to etiquette. Well, if we were at an official reception, I would have to do the same. But! This blush on her cheeks, this moisture sparkling in her eyes when she seems to be stealing glances at him. This slightly open mouth... Yes, even her facial expression changes! The usually mocking and playful girl suddenly turns into a frightened mouse for no particular reason.
Yes, and the father is good. It was as if he had completely forgotten about me, as if there was no one else here. Maybe we should really hide quietly and see what happens? He stands and stares, and with such genuine interest. For the first time I thought of my father as a man. He looks no more than forty and will remain that way for a long time. Overall attractive and not at all old. I wonder if he had other women besides his mother? The answer came to mind on its own. Certainly. Couldn't he have been faithful to his dead wife for twenty years? I just never brought them home. Now his sleepovers at work appeared to me in a different light, and this thought made it especially unpleasant. If I pulled myself together, then somewhere I even understood that there was nothing wrong with it. But…
- Ahem! Am I disturbing you? – it came out quite abruptly.
Demons! Why do I feel like a teenager? Even before the conversation begins, you want to snap and argue. I remembered the nanny’s words that it was as if I had never experienced adolescence, I was so calm and flexible. Apparently, everything has been postponed for now.
“Sorry, I have to go,” Tilya retreated, her slender figure in a short dress disappeared behind the bushes, and I watched with displeasure as my father watched her go.
“Dear girl,” he somewhat awkwardly pointed after her with his hand, turning in my direction.
“Yeah,” I agreed.
“Come to me,” the father extended his arms for a familiar hug.
Instead, I turned away and walked away, tracing the edge of the fountain with my fingers.
- Elya, won’t you even hug me?
She swallowed the tears that came and turned around, putting on a smile:
- Dad, I’m no longer a child to jump into your arms every time!
Why is he annoying me so much now? You urgently need to calm down, otherwise a normal conversation will not work. I tried to remember the same concentration technique that I studied at the end of the lesson with Master Goff. It seemed to help a little. She sat down on the edge of the fountain.
- Oelrio, did something happen? – Father became serious and came closer, looking down.
- Don't know. “I took a deep breath and extended my hand to my father.
This simple gesture seemed to lighten the situation a little. We sat down next to each other on the side and were silent for a while, listening to the murmur of the streams. Dusk was slowly falling on the park. Every day it got darker and earlier.
- Daughter, I have...
- Little time. Everything as usual.
– You know how much work the adviser does?
- Dad, did you have other women besides mom after she died... left? – I don’t know why I asked this particular question.
“I knew that sooner or later you would ask this,” sighed the stern Shadow Mage Lord Yarrant. And he didn’t even correct me, confirming my guess. “I knew and was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to give an answer that I would like.”
I raised my head to him.
- Of course, Oelrio. I'm a man. But, believe me, not one of them was worthy to enter our house like my wife. Yes, to be honest, I didn’t strive for this.
– You said that your mother was missing. This is true? “My father nodded silently, looking at me somehow doomedly. – She left because of you? – shrug and nod again. - Were you looking for her?
- We were looking for it. The Emperor's men, and so am I. But they couldn't find it. Daria seemed to have disappeared into the ground.
I put my hand on my father's shoulder. For some reason, at such moments I felt much stronger. It is clear that it is still difficult for him to remember.
– But why couldn’t they? Perhaps something serious happened? Perhaps she needed help?
- I don’t know, Oelrio! “The father jumped up, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation. - And let's not touch this topic anymore.
His impulse instantly destroyed the still fragile peace that had barely been established after the unexpected disagreement.
“Everything is as always,” I stated disappointedly and asked without transition: “Do you like her?”
- Who? “It seems I managed to confuse my father.”
– Tilya, my friend? You're staring at her so much that it's even unpleasant for me!
My father raised his head and looked at me somehow differently, then the surprise on his face gave way to a strange expression, but still Lord Satem answered:
- I do not know, maybe. In general, what is the question?
I simply nodded. No. I don't want to talk about it now.
- OK, I am sorry. I called you for another one. “I collected my thoughts for a while before asking: “Dad, why is Galen Yart Birdie, the Prince of Faybard, shouting at every corner that I am his bride?”
Contrary to all my expectations, my father smiled joyfully.
– Already know? Well, it’s even easier,” he sat down on the curb of the fountain and relaxed his back. - It's true Elya. Are you glad?
- What?! – here she jumped up herself. To put it mildly, this was not the answer I was expecting. - Why should I be happy?
“Galen is a prince, and someday you will become queen of Faybard.” Every girl dreams...
- Dad, how do you know what girls dream about? – I disrespectfully interrupted my father. – I don’t even like Galen!
“It’s okay,” Lord Satem smiled again. – At first, many girls treat their future husbands this way. But then they make a wonderful couple.
Does he really not realize?
- Dad! Can you even hear me? I don't like Galen! I just can't stand him! He's a pompous idiot who thinks everyone should prostrate themselves before him!
“This is how a future king should be.”
“But, dad, Galen kissed me without permission!” – I felt myself blushing. Well, I hope this will get through to him.
- ABOUT! – the father chuckled again. “The boy is just trying to win you over like a man.” This is great news. This means that he is not indifferent to you either.
Demons! I'm stamping my feet now!
- Dad! Galen kissed me forcibly! Against my will, he tried to let go and ordered me with whom to communicate and with whom not! Ordered! Can you hear me!
- Yes, it won’t be easy for him with you. Poor guy. Elya, as the future king, the prince is well aware of which connections are worth maintaining and which are not. You should listen to the words of your future husband. And all his actions, I’m sure, are aimed at stirring you up and warming up your reciprocal interest, since you’re so cold.
I didn’t know what else to say, it seems all the arguments are over. Am I not being taken seriously at all?
Although, no. One argument remains.
Having weighed everything properly, I first mentally asked myself such an important question and having received the answer from my heart, I made a decision:
– I will never marry Galen! I love Verda Allakiri!
Convulsively clenching my fists, having experienced the stress of my own confession, I waited for my father’s reaction. Lord Satem looked at me for a long time, then grinned, but his face became hard:
- Girl, only a few days have passed since you stepped outside the threshold of your father’s house, and what am I watching? You are being unreasonable. You dare talk to me in such a tone. What else is there for me? I didn't think it was a good idea to send you here in the first place. It seems that I was not strict enough with you and allowed too much, since now I am forced to listen to such speeches. “Is it just me or did the shadows move at my father’s feet?” - In general, yes. You will marry the Prince of Faybard. This is an order from the Emperor and is not discussed. Get Verda Allakiri out of your head once and for all. Your love is nothing more than the charm of a young lady with her brave savior. No more,” he repeated with emphasis.
I wanted to talk about the First Night, about the butterflies, about our kiss, but I didn’t...
I didn’t want to say anything else to this man.
My father, who was always so close and dear, seemed cold and distant to me. He doesn't understand me at all!
“Now I know why mom ran away from you!” – she blurted out, putting all her resentment and anger into these words.
She tore the challenge amulet from her neck, threw it at her father’s feet and rushed out of the park. Tears blurred my eyes, and a large painful knot curled up in my stomach. It seems that along the way someone tried to call me several times, but I didn’t turn around. Without stopping, she made her way to her room. Having fallen on the bed, she could no longer hold back, sobs burst out and choked her. Tilya and Cas ran up to me and asked something, but I didn’t take in their words. It was so bad because the cozy world in which I had lived until now suddenly collapsed.
Once I was deprived of my mother, and now my loving father was no longer around...
- You! – I yelled at Tilya, causing her to step back. – What do you want from him?!
- Lyara, what are you talking about? – my friend was taken aback.
“You think I don’t see the way you look at him?” Lord Satem, Lord Satem! – I mimicked, almost spitting saliva, although I understood that now I was being unfair and behaving unworthily. Something was rising inside. Something big, it was like it was trying to force me out of me. Take my place, and I was suddenly afraid, feeling the room suddenly getting colder.
-Is she turning around? – Cas asked timidly, swallowing.
– Perhaps, but now is not the place or time for this. Call your brother, urgently!
– I’ll stay and try to help! Hurry up!
The door slammed, and I sat there, frantically gasping for air. Tilya’s cool hands lay on my temples, and I dug my fingers into them, making my friend wince:
- Hush, Lyara, hush. Please calm down! Breathe deeply, try to dissipate excess energy.
I felt a soft, pleasant tingling sensation, which made me feel a little better, but at the same time it made me angry, as if I was again being forbidden to do what I wanted.
– You like him, right? – it came out hoarse and inappropriate, but it distracted me a little and gave me strength to balance on the edge.
- Answer, Tilya!
– Stop collecting energy throughout the Tree, please! I can't cope!
For some reason I obeyed, remembering how easily I had done it in class, and tried to concentrate, looking with my mind’s eye. What I saw horrified me. Our entire room was filled with a whitish fog. Is this all me? I tried to remember the technique of clearing my consciousness again. It was as if a tight spring had loosened inside, it became easier, and the fog seemed to have dissipated. The tree quickly absorbed excess energy. Of course, everything should be provided for here.
The Prince's Bride and Magic Butterflies Lyubov Chernikova
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Title: The Prince's Bride and the Magic Butterflies
About the book “The Prince’s Bride and the Magic Butterflies” Lyubov Chernikova
I am Lyara Yarrant, a future werewolf druid, and for now only a first-year student at the Academy of the Great Mother. As soon as I took a step from the portal platform, the measured life of the recluse gave way to a continuous series of adventures. The entrance exam turned into an attack by Blood Moon cultists. And what should I do if my abilities were blocked, my heart was stolen by a courageous werewolf warrior, and my hand was promised to the hated prince of Faybard? All that remains is to listen to the silver butterflies and find the beast within yourself.
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Twelve years before current events
Oelrio! Oelrio! Where are you, baby?
Good kitty, come to me,” I repeated in a whisper, attracting the animal’s attention.
She persistently extended her hand, palm up, forward. Another mental message: “Come!”
Hot breath fanned my skin, and I closed my eyes in anticipation, expecting that I would be able to touch the huge, velvety, slightly damp nose. She even shuddered with impatience - she so wanted to run her fingers into the silvery, soft, thick fur covered with round spots. If only the nanny would stop screaming!
“Well, please, Nissy!” - I silently begged, unconsciously reinforcing the thought with the demand to submit, but, of course, such tricks don’t work with a nanny. Eh...
It didn’t cost me anything to hide from my nanny in the thick bushes. The thorny branches always parted, revealing secret passages and paths, all you had to do was wish it. This drove the servants assigned to me crazy, and even more so my father, who was terribly angry when he once again learned that I had fled outside the estate.
Lady Oelrio! - it sounded closer and stricter. The nanny seemed to be losing patience.
The huge beast raised its ears warily and sniffed. A barely audible growl was born in the depths of his throat.
Hush, kitty, hush,” I reinforced the words with a mental message to calm down.
The raised fur lay down, the dilated pupils narrowed a little, and I admired the striking shade of light blue eyes, just like my new satin dress.
Kisa, I love you! - sincere words from the bottom of my heart.
Now it seemed to me that there was no one closer and more beautiful than this huge cat, the size of my father’s horse: “Well, please, Great Mother, give me a little more time!”
The beast sensed my desire. The dark gray wet nose with a bluish tint finally poked into the palm and exhaled noisily, making you giggle - it tickles! Barely holding back a squeal of delight, I more boldly ran my fingers into the soft, delicate fur under the chin and scratched it, as if it were an ordinary hunting cat. There was a purring sound, similar to the roar of a distant waterfall, which my dad once showed me. Unable to contain my delight, I hugged the powerful neck, sneezing when hairs got into my nose.
You're so soft! I like the way you smell. Nice kitty, let's be friends? - I whispered, continuing to stroke and scratch the thick fur, rejoicing that my simple caress was pleasant to the beast.
Oelrio! - behind me there was a crackling of bushes and an indistinct curse, in which my sensitive ear caught my own name. - Oel... Great Mother! - finished the nanny in a voice that shrank to a barely audible whisper.
I felt the muscles under the soft skin tense, the deep purring turning into a menacing guttural rumble. The mustache bristled, sharp fangs almost as long as my arm were exposed. The huge wild cat hissed, showing an impressive grin. She slowly backed away, crouching with her front paws on the ground.
I felt how what had barely arisen between us was collapsing, and I fell, letting go of my powerful neck. She stood up, brushing dry leaves from her hem, stained with green grass juice, and stamped her foot in disappointment. On the contrary, in a small clearing hidden in the shadow of spreading branches, a nanny stood as white as a sheet.
Nissy,” I frowned sternly, watching as she, without taking her frightened gaze away from the beast, frantically tried to fumble in her apron pocket. - Nissi! If you do this, I will let the kitty eat you...
And yet the nanny succeeded. My father gave her a summoning amulet just in case I did something “like that” again.
A moment - and my beloved and very formidable daddy appeared next to us, the expression on his face did not bode well. One glance in our direction - and a whip appeared in my father’s hand, woven from a black haze. The formidable Lord Yarrant flicked it in the air and shouted:
Arr'thelle tirset!
The cat slowly retreated, continuing to grin, and then, turning sharply, jumped into the thickets. Before the cloudy veil of my father’s protection enveloped me, a powerful tail lashed my legs, and I fell to the ground again.
Oelrio Satem Daria Yarrant!
Oelrio is actually me. Satem and Daria are the names of the father and mother. A full name in such a situation did not bode well. My father spoke quietly, but threateningly, and I involuntarily glanced sideways at the whip in his hand. And what? After all, he promised to tear it out more than once. Is it enough?
Lord Yarrant followed my gaze and, wincing, dispelled the formidable weapon with a slight wave. Phew, it seems it got through this time too. I stood up, brushing off the hem of my new... hmm... it looked like an old satin dress.
Hello, daddy! - I ran towards him with a joyful smile.
My father is the most powerful magician of the Eressold Empire, and Nissi and other servants always shy in his presence. But not me. After all, dad loves me very much, and therefore I’m not afraid of him at all. Even when this eerie black haze is spreading around.
While I was running, I managed to notice how Nissi hastily rises from the ground, holding onto a tree trunk - apparently she fell out of fright, and moves to the side, cautiously looking at the muddy haze. She tries to reach her with thin tentacles, but immediately returns to her father’s feet, obeying his will. Without fear, I took my last steps straight through this foggy haze, feeling a light gentle chill tickling my bare, scratched and soil-stained knees.
My father’s strong arms grabbed me, and I continued to smile dazzlingly, but from the stern look I realized that it would not be possible to completely avoid punishment.
Kitty, right? - I asked seriously, as if I was still very little, and I felt anger mixed with fear bubbling in my father’s chest. “Is he so scared for me?” - Daddy, the kitty is good. She wouldn't touch me! “I’m already eight, but I knew that when Lord Yarrant is angry, it’s better to pretend to be a baby, so daddy will forgive me faster.”
Oelrio, do you even understand how dangerous arr'thelle is?
So. Looks like things are really bad. Still Oelrio. Not Elya and not Lyara - that means my father is really angry with me. The inky haze continued to flow near his feet. The long black hair moved barely noticeably, as if alive. I tried to calm them down with a mental message and met my father’s gaze full of indignation. And the nanny continued to retreat step by step in the hope of hiding among the trees. Haha.
Hanissia! - Lord Yarrant’s stern shout made the poor nanny close her eyes and involuntarily bend down.
M-my lord? - it seems she already regrets that the kitty didn’t eat her. Or arr... arr'thelle? Is that what your father called the beast?
Hanissia, why did you disobey orders and go outside the estate with the young lady?
We were walking in the garden, and then Oelrio disappeared. I rushed to search and found it only here. I don't understand how this happened, my lord. Sorry…
Nissy was wringing her hands, there was such sincere remorse on her face that I felt very ashamed.
Daddy, it's not Nissy's fault! I asked for bushes, and they let me through.
Did you ask for bushes? - Father’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Evening of the same day
Today I was again forced to urgently leave the meeting in the palace; the summoning amulet that I gave to Khanissia worked. Praise be to the shadows and the Great Mother that I am able to move to my daughter, wherever she is. And what do you think? I find this scoundrel next to the relic! Not with just anyone. A real arr'thelle in the flesh!
Great Mother! - the gray-haired, long-bearded old man in a gray robe, down to the very toes, decorated with intricate emerald lettering along the hem and collar, could not restrain himself. He looked at me intently with bright green eyes.
I hastily stopped swinging my legs and playing with the flower in the pot, forcing it to either bow according to my mental order or copy the nanny’s movements. Nissy, who had received a scolding from her father, stood at the door with her hands folded on her stomach and her lip primly stuck out, deliberately not looking in my direction. “Still, I was offended,” I thought, again feeling a slight pang of conscience. Hanissia is kind and sincerely loves me. She forgives me all my pranks and reads me fairy tales at night. You definitely need to ask her for forgiveness...
Meanwhile, the old man came closer, and I felt the smell of hay. He squatted down in front of me and lifted my chin with a dry, calloused finger, turning my face towards the light.
Marvelous! Such a baby... Eyes like a Thunbergrans on the second day of flowering. Eyelashes clap-clap, as if the bird-bee mel’saa is circling over a flower. Skin like moonlight on ripening apel fruits...
My friend, I didn’t understand a word, as usual...
I admire the beauty of your child. And how could someone like you give birth to this flower?
Oelrio took after her mother...
And glory to the Great! Daria...
Picelius please!
Green eyes like spring grass looked at me again:
So how did you say you were able to leave the protective perimeter?
I am Lyara Yarrant, a future werewolf druid, and for now only a first-year student at the Academy of the Great Mother. As soon as I took a step from the portal platform, the measured life of the recluse gave way to a continuous series of adventures. The entrance exam turned into an attack by Blood Moon cultists. And what should I do if my abilities were blocked, my heart was stolen by a courageous werewolf warrior, and my hand was promised to the hated prince of Faybard? All that remains is to listen to the silver butterflies and find the beast within yourself.
The work was published in 2017 by AST Publishing House. The book is part of the "Runes of Love" series. On our website you can download the book "The Prince's Bride and the Magic Butterflies" in fb2, rtf, epub, pdf, txt format or read online. The book's rating is 2.2 out of 5. Here, before reading, you can also turn to reviews from readers who are already familiar with the book and find out their opinion. In our partner's online store you can buy and read the book in paper form.