Elemental Heir | ??

Chapter 27

I lifted my hands, blinking in confusion, and set the dagger down before picking the shirt back up. I examined the point where I'd stabbed at the material, searching for the point of impact. I saw nothing. No tear, no scar... Nothing.

Impressive...

I grinned and stripped before pulling the fighting leathers on, amazed at how light and breathable they felt on my body. It felt like I was wearing nothing. I swung my arms around, testing the range of motion, and then kicked out one of my legs.

Amazing...

I spent the next ten minutes strapping daggers to my hips, thighs and boot straps, before walking into the bathroom and gazing into the floor length mirror. I smiled in delight at my reflection.

This was me.

Not the well mannered, sweet little Princess who wore pretty dresses all of the time. I was a fighter, a hunter, a woman who'd worked her entire life to survive. For the first time since arriving here, I finally felt like I recognized myself.

I watched the other me in the mirror as she ran her hands over her breasts and abdomen. I was still so infatuated with the way the material looked like tough leather in the mirror, but felt like a thin, cotton shirt beneath my hands.

Magic never ceased to amaze me.

I parted my hair to the side and quickly created a dutch braid, beginning at the crown of my head, down to the back of my ear.  I threw the rest of my hair up into a messy bun on top of my head and pulled down a few stray hairs near my temples to frame my face. I decided to skip the make up. I'd just end up sweating it off, and I didn't really like wearing it, anyway.

Lastly, I pulled on my rune necklace, running my fingers over the smooth stone as it laid against the hollow of my throat. I smiled, knowing that I would be able to relax from now on, not having to worry about my feelings being known to everyone around me. How strange, it felt, to be grateful for something that one shouldn't have to think twice about.

I suddenly felt an overwhelming surge of happiness flow through me. I was in a better mood than I had been in in a very long time. I beamed at myself in the mirror, eagerly accepting this newfound feeling of contentment.

I pushed my worries away.
Today, I'd be happy.

Finally, the knock I'd been waiting for sounded at my front door. I nearly skipped to answer it, desperate to get out of the confines of my room. I swung the door open and smiled hugely up at Warrick, who raised his eyebrows in surprise.

He let out a low whistle. "Well, I see you've been taking full advantage of your closet's adaptability."

My smile widened. "Well, you weren't expecting me to train in a sundress, were you?" I said, pushing past him and closing the door behind me.

He gave me a quizzical look. "You want to... Train?"

My head cocked to the side. "Why would I want to go to the training rooms if I did not wish to train?"

He rubbed at his chin, his hand scraping against the wiry scruff of his stubble. "I just wasn't expecting..."

I planted my hands on my hips, pretending to be offended. "Do you think a Princess isn't capable of getting her hands dirty?"

He chuckled and began walking down the hallway. I followed at his side, my face alight with humor.

"You continue to surprise me, Princess Brenya." He said fondly.

I grimaced at his formality. "Would you mind just calling me Brenya?"

He chuckled again. "See... You're doing it again."