The Demon Queen's Contract
Chapter 46 - 46: You’re stronger than you think

I awoke to the sensation of being watched. My eyes fluttered open, and I was met with Seraphina's intense gaze. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and something else I couldn't quite place.

Her presence, though comforting, startled me, and before I knew it, I had flinched and rolled right off the bed, landing with an unceremonious thud on the floor.

"Good morning to you too," Seraphina said with a laugh, the sound light and surprisingly melodious.

Rubbing my sore elbow, I couldn't help but smile up at her despite the embarrassment. "Good morning," I mumbled, cheeks flushing. "You scared me."

"You should be used to waking up next to me by now," she teased, extending a hand to help me up.

I took her hand, letting her pull me to my feet. "I am, usually. But not when you're staring at me like that."

"Like what?" she asked, her expression turning mischievous.

"Like you're plotting something," I said, narrowing my eyes playfully at her.

"Maybe I am," she replied with a wink.

I shook my head, laughing softly. "I'm going to take a shower."

As I made my way to the bathroom, I felt her gaze follow me, a warm, comforting presence that lingered even after I closed the door behind me. The steam from the hot water enveloped me as I stepped into the shower, the warmth soothing the lingering tension from the previous day's events. I let the water cascade over me, washing away the remnants of fear and fatigue.

As I lathered my hair with fragrant soap, my thoughts drifted back to Seraphina. Despite her often cold exterior, moments like these revealed a softer side of her that she rarely showed. It made me wonder about the complexities of her past and the burdens she carried. Her laughter this morning was a rare, precious gift, and I found myself cherishing it.

After drying off and dressing in comfortable training clothes, I left the bathroom to find Seraphina still sitting on the bed, now scrolling through some documents on a tablet. She glanced up as I approached, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Feeling better?" she asked.

"Much," I replied, running a hand through my damp hair. "Thank you."

She nodded, her expression turning serious. "You have a self-defense session with Nyx today. Are you ready?"

I grimaced slightly. "As ready as I'll ever be. Nyx doesn't go easy on me."

"She shouldn't," Seraphina said, standing up and straightening her cloak. "You need to be able to defend yourself, especially after what happened yesterday."

I nodded, the memory of the attack still fresh in my mind. "I know. I'll do my best."

She placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip firm but reassuring. "You'll be fine. I believe in you."

"Thank you," I said softly, feeling a surge of determination.

With that, I headed out of our chambers and made my way to the training hall. The palace was already bustling with activity, servants and guards moving about their duties with practiced efficiency. The sun was higher in the sky now, casting bright beams of light through the tall windows and illuminating the ornate hallways.

When I arrived at the training hall, Nyx was already there, stretching and warming up. Her lithe, muscular form moved with a grace and precision that always left me in awe. She looked up as I entered, her sharp eyes assessing me.

"Ready to get started?" she asked, a challenging glint in her eyes.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied, trying to match her confidence.

"Good," she said, tossing me a wooden practice sword. "We're going to work on your footwork and defensive stances today. You need to be quicker and more agile if you're going to fend off attackers."

I caught the sword and took my position opposite her. Nyx moved with blinding speed, her strikes coming fast and hard. I did my best to block and parry, but she easily broke through my defenses, her blows landing with stinging precision.

"Focus, Elara," she instructed, her voice firm but not unkind. "You're too tense. Relax your shoulders and move with the flow."

I took a deep breath, trying to follow her advice. It was difficult to relax when every muscle in my body was screaming with exertion, but I forced myself to loosen up, to move more fluidly.

Nyx's strikes still came fast and hard, but I found myself able to anticipate them better, to deflect them more effectively.

"Better," she said, a hint of approval in her voice. "But you need to be faster. Think on your feet."

We continued sparring, and slowly, I felt myself improving. Nyx was relentless, pushing me to my limits, but she also offered guidance and encouragement. By the end of the session, I was drenched in sweat, my muscles aching, but I felt a sense of accomplishment.

"That's enough for today," Nyx said, lowering her sword. "You did well, Elara."

"Thank you," I panted, wiping the sweat from my brow. "I feel like I'm getting better."

"You are," she said with a nod. "But remember, it's not just about physical strength. It's about strategy, awareness, and mental fortitude. Keep practicing, and you'll get there."

I nodded, taking her words to heart. "I will. Thank you, Nyx."

She clapped me on the shoulder, her grip strong and reassuring. "Anytime. Now go get some rest. You've earned it."

I left the training hall, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. As I made my way back to our chambers, I couldn't help but think about how far I'd come since arriving at the palace. The journey had been challenging, but with Seraphina and Nyx by my side, I felt stronger and more determined than ever.

Back in our chambers, I found Seraphina reviewing some documents at her desk. She looked up as I entered, her expression softening slightly.

"How was training?" she asked.

"Grueling," I admitted with a tired smile. "But I think I'm improving."

She stood and walked over to me, her eyes filled with a mix of pride and concern. "You're doing great, Elara. Just keep pushing yourself."

"I will," I said, feeling a warm glow at her words. "Thank you."

She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, her touch gentle and reassuring. "You're stronger than you realize."

Her words filled me with a sense of determination. I knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Seraphina by my side, I felt ready to face whatever challenges came our way.

Her words filled me with a sense of determination. I knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Seraphina by my side, I felt ready to face whatever challenges came our way.

"Speaking of challenges," Seraphina said, her tone turning serious, "we need to talk about your magic lessons."

I sighed, feeling a familiar knot of anxiety tighten in my chest. "You know how terrible I am at wind magic. It never seems to do what I want it to."

Seraphina smiled, her eyes softening. "That's exactly why you need more practice, Elara. Your potential is there, but you need to harness it properly."

"I just don't get it," I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. "Every time I try to control the wind, it either fizzles out or goes completely wild."

Seraphina reached out and took my hand, her grip firm yet comforting. "Magic is as much about mindset as it is about skill. You need to find your center, your calm. Wind magic is fluid and adaptable. You need to be the same."

I nodded, though doubt still lingered in my mind. "I'll try my best."

"Good," she said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "We'll start with some basic exercises. Focus on feeling the wind, connecting with it. Once you understand its nature, you'll have better control."

We moved to a quieter part of our chambers, where the windows let in a gentle breeze. Seraphina guided me through a series of breathing exercises, helping me to calm my mind and focus on the sensations around me. As I inhaled deeply, I tried to sense the subtle shifts in the air, the way it moved and flowed.

"Close your eyes," Seraphina instructed softly. "Feel the wind on your skin, the way it caresses you. Don't force it; let it guide you."

I did as she said, closing my eyes and reaching out with my senses. At first, it was difficult to quiet my racing thoughts, but gradually, I began to feel the faintest whisper of the wind against my skin. It was gentle, almost playful, and I tried to mimic its lightness within myself.

"That's it," Seraphina's voice was a soothing balm, grounding me. "Now, with your next breath, imagine the wind responding to your call. Don't command it; invite it."

Taking a deep breath, I visualized the wind swirling around me, responding to my gentle invitation. To my surprise, I felt a faint stir in the air, a subtle shift that matched my intention.

"Good," Seraphina said, her voice filled with quiet encouragement. "Keep practicing. You're getting there."

Feeling a small spark of hope, I opened my eyes and smiled at her. "Thank you, Seraphina. I'll keep trying."

She returned my smile, her eyes shining with pride. "I know you will. You're stronger than you think, Elara. We'll get through this together."

With renewed determination, I resolved to continue my practice. With Seraphina by my side, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, both in magic and in life.

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