Page 40 of #Resort Love
My heart started to race, and I clutched my chest as anxiety wrapped its claws tight around my heart. Taking a few slow deep breaths, I pulled the book closer, focusing on the words written on the page before my mind could spiral out of control.
“Emotion manipulation is a magic ability that allows a user to influence the emotional states of others, evoking or suppressing feelings such as joy, fear, calm, or sorrow. Usually found in those who are part of the Seelie Court, this power can be used for a range of purposes, such as calming anxiety, inspiring happiness, or inducing fear for control. However, the magic carries significant risks. Overuse can cause emotional detachment, where the user loses touch with their own emotions or emotional overload, leading to confusion or burnout. There is also the danger of emotional backlash, where the manipulated emotions backfire on the user, causing unwanted feelings as the user feeds off the emotions of others to strengthen their own magic. Additionally, prolonged use may lead to a destabilization of the user’s sense of self. Ethically, while the power can be used for healing or peace, it also has the potential for manipulation, coercion, and exploitation, as it is highly unlikely that the influenced will know it is happening at the time of influence, making it important for users to exercise caution and moral integrity with its application.”
My brows furrowed as I skimmed the rest of the section further explaining the mechanics and dangers of the ability. Warning bells rang in my mind when I thought back to Samian’s questions about my time with Ambrose and whether he had forced me to do anything. I leaned back in my seat, thinking of all the times Ambrose had helped me calm down when I was lost in my thoughts or my feelings. Even during the times when I felt cautious and tense around him, I remembered feeling a strange warmth flooding through me, melting awaymy worries, helping me feel comfortable and safe around him. Like I was blanketed with a sense of ease that settled deep inside of me.
But Ambrose couldn’t have this ability, could he? The book said that the ability was a part of the Seelie Court and Ambrose was a faerie. Plus, Samian would have told me when we were discussing unique magic outside of the faerie elemental magic, wouldn’t he?
After my father left us, I had to learn how to regulate my emotions. I learned how to file them away for another day so that I could take care of my mother, especially when she became sick. It became second nature to me. I may have been letting those emotions get the best of me recently, but I would know if Ambrose was using magic to manipulate me, right?
After our first lesson was interrupted, we never returned to learning how to feel for another’s magic influence, but Samian did say that it felt different—foreign.
Samian’s footsteps rang out and the scent of ham and fresh bread filled the air. My mouth watered when I eyed the toasted sandwich with thick cheese melting over the sides. As if on cue, my stomach growled, making Samian laugh, breaking any tension that remained between us, and my heart felt lighter at the sound. I’m sure Samian would have said something if Ambrose had that power.
Chapter 23
Sybil
Samian and I ate the rest of our lunch in silence before he led me back to my room to change into my uniform. It had arrived with the clothes Ambrose had bought for me. The pants and jacket were made of a black, stretchy leather, which was lucky for me—and my curves—since the fit was a bit tighter than the usual clothes I wore. Black leather boots had arrived as well, matching the uniform perfectly.
Testing the feel of the leather, I did a few stretches and lunges around the closet. The leather felt a tad stiff, and I prayed to whoever would listen that it would break in soon.
Giving myself another look in the mirror, my shoulders sagged. This morning had been a complete failure. I didn’t feel ready enough for combat training. I took a martial arts class as a child, but that was years ago. Since then, my workout regimen had been inconsistent. There was never enough time or energy in the day to stick to a routine.
I feared this moment was going to come, but I had secretly hoped that Ambrose would either forget or give me enoughtime to get comfortable with my magic before sending me out to train.
My stomach churned and I swallowed hard, the sounds of Liam’s yell echoing through my mind. I wasn’t ready for this. It was too soon. One wrong move could lead to someone getting hurt. I could already feel my light whirling inside, itching to be released.
And Arianna…
This was going to be a shit show.
Not daring to look in the mirror again, I sighed and walked out of my room, meeting Samian in the hallway. His eyes were hard, and refused to meet mine as they swept over me. He adjusted my jacket before spinning me around, and I fought against my cringe. When I turned back to him, he nodded, the muscle in his jaw feathering. An approval, though reluctant. But his silence only confirmed that I was right to worry about what would happen today, not only with my magic but with Arianna too.
Wariness crept up my back, my body stiffening. Ambrose said he had spoken to her, but after today, I knew that hostility between us had grown after she overheard Samian and me in the library. Part of me wondered if I was going to survive my first training. I could only hope that Ezra would lead the training and that he would be kinder to me. He hadn’t laughed that day in the dining hall, only watched Arianna with enough quiet precision that made me wonder if he had disapproved of her actions.
My chest tightened. This was going to be an unpleasant afternoon.
Not speaking a word, Samian turned, guiding us through the area of the palace I hadn’t explored to the training grounds.I pulled out my small notebook and pen from the pocket of my jacket, taking notes to add to my map later.
Leaving the main palace, we walked through an open corridor that was lined with a mix of white roses, dahlias, and camellias. White wisteria hung from the ceilings, while benches sat underneath. It was beautiful. Slowing my walk, my brows furrowed at the natural stone used for the column of the corridor. It was so different from the marble used for the rest of the palace.
Sensing that I had stopped, Samian turned, following my gaze to the stone column. “Before the palace became the Marble Palace, it was built with these stones. This is the oldest wing. You’ll find sections further in where they kept the original stone.” Nostalgia with a hint of sadness filled his eyes, like he was reminiscing about distant memories.
“It’s amazing,” I breathed.
Samian hummed in agreement, his face hardening, and we continued to the training ground in silence. The corridor ended with great wooden doors that were opened, showing a large oval pit in the middle. The pit was surrounded by a covered passageway where other uniformed faeries stood watching people inside. They all looked like soldiers, with weapons at their hips, ready for use.
Samian led me further into the passageway, but I stopped, wanting to see what was happening. Arianna stood in a position, ready for an attack. Her black uniform matched mine, except for a golden cuff around her left upper arm that had tiny letters written on it. Opposite of her, a soldier stood holding a sword before him. The glint of silver felt menacing as he shifted his hold on the weapon.
Making his attack, the soldier lifted his sword, bringing it down in a slicing motion. Arianna stood still, waiting, bidingher time until she met his blade head-on in a loud clash. She arched her blade, letting the soldier’s fall to the side before turning and striking him in the head with her elbow. Grunting, he fell to the ground and froze when she held the tip of her blade against his throat. I watched her closely, my heart heavy, as her lips curled into an arrogant smile.
“Glad to see you could finally make it,” a raspy and commanding voice said from behind.
I turned, my eyes widening when I saw only a muscled chest. Swallowing, I looked up, finding large chocolate-colored eyes staring back. Ezra’s eyes crinkled at the shock rippling across my face. I remembered meeting him on my first day here, remembered how he towered over Samian and the surprise I felt when they stood side by side. But I had forgotten about his size in the days after our meeting. And now? Now I felt like nothing more than a child compared to him. I laughed nervously as he walked up to Samian, clapping him on the back in greeting.
Those rich brown eyes slid to me then and I blurted, “How tall are you?” Immediate regret hit as soon as I said it, and my face burned hot.
Ezra barked a laugh, the sound so loud and deep that nearby soldiers looked our way, their eyes wide, stunned by the sound erupting from their war general. “Welcome,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. His eyes were bright with amusement. “Arianna and I are in charge of this unit, so we will be guiding you through the training.” Moving closer to me, Ezra took out the same golden cuff Arianna wore from his pocket. “This cuff marks those in our unit. It will have their rank written along the middle. Those without one are still in training.” Tapping my shoulder, he moved past me, Samian following behind.
