Touch of Power (Alythian Legacy #1)

Thankfully because training sessions are now separate, I don't have to get out of bed the next morning. And I don't think I would have been physically able to get out of bed, even if I tried.

I have never felt so sore in my life. And that's coming from someone who helped Nan for over fourteen hours helping a patient remove small bits of fragments of rocks and wood from their body after a small explosion in a nearby town. But last night's training really put in perspective how out of shape I was in. There are some places that I never knew had muscles that could even get strained or get sore like this.

Groaning as I flip over in bed, I'm surprised to see that Jun is gone already. Usually I'm the one that gets an early start but today is one of the rare occasions that it's the opposite for us. Checking the clock on the wall, I frown to see that it's the worst time of day. Too late to have the staff still serving breakfast and too early for lunch service to begin. Groaning again, I sit up and rub my empty stomach. If I can't eat for another hour or so, I'll just have to occupy my time elsewhere.

After changing into my normal set of clothes, I head upstairs to the shared library Glasswood has. We actually have two libraries here, one much larger and more grand than the one I'm heading to but that one is locked at night. And besides, the smaller one has a better selection of novels than the downstairs one.

When I arrive, I sigh of relief to find no one else in here. I didn't want to have to deal with yet another student spotting me and quickly leaving the area because of my presence. Finding a book to read before I can go downstairs to eat lunch, I sit on the window nook and glance outside to the vast gardens below.

From the history lessons we are forced to take, Glasswood used to be the Royal Palace used by the Silvias family until the late king decided it should be renovated to be a school for children with powers. Glasswood is settled in the middle of the large kingdom so kids from all corners may come to learn more about their powers. The late king moved his base of operations to the west, just a short ride to the coast.

Maybe that's why momma never cared for the Royal Family. Because we were the farthest point we could be from the palace, she thought that the Silvias family would never care about our quaint village, which I suppose there is merit to this thinking. The last time one of the Silvias royals came in our direction was to spend time at their mountain home, a day ride from our village, but that was almost ten years ago. Nan told me the visit was for pure pleasure, but momma told me it was to settle a disagreement with some of the mountain clans.

Whatever the reason may be, the Royals have always overlooked the eastern parts of their kingdom.

Just as I open my book, something outside catches my eye. Turning, my eyes latch onto silver hair, absolutely blinding in the rare March sun. The king and queen walk ahead of the Royal Siblings as a guide tells them about the place. My eyes eventually focus on the prince and I can't stop staring.

Prince Otto - or should I say Kit - stayed the whole night with us, training alongside us. He ran when Yondou told us to, he stretched, he did all the strength building practices, and all without complaint. I could tell he still had a lot of things he wanted to ask me, but I kept my distance from him as much as possible and he didn't approach me all night.

But he was also kind to us all. When Louis cracked a joke, Kit laughed with us. When Jun or Naya blushed at him, Kit smiled kindly and talked to them with ease. Riley and I both seemed to keep our distance from him, but even at the end, Kit was talking to Riley as if they knew each other for years. Maybe it was his princely charm swaying all of us, but it felt like Kit was one of us.

Which makes me not trust him.

How can someone be so open and charming like that without having an ulterior motive? How can I trust someone that could literally read my mind whenever he pleased?