Another week had come and gone since Drasna officially moved in with Isobella, to the joy of everyone. Tristan had grown fond of her and the maids adored the monk to little end. Isobella took care not to cling too much, according to the maids, it was possible to hug a rabbit too much and cause it to flee. Isobella didn’t want Drasna to regret her decision, and though it was hard at times, knowing the monk would always be around made her feel better.

  A mountain dove had visited the chateau the evening prior, it bore a message from the monastery. It had apparently taken a while to train new messenger birds. Drasna was pleased that nothing was broken beyond repair and everyone was safe. She was quick to send a reply to put everyone at ease about her own safety and new home.

  Not wanting to slack off in her training, Drasna had put together a makeshift gym with the help of Tristan. A few heavy things to lift or flip over, and an old mattress wrapped around a tree trunk to punch and kick. Today she sat on a stump with a bowl of blackberries and water bottles next to her. She was watching Isobella, clad in the battle dress she’d given her. The noble was feebly punching the mattress, accompanied by some adorable grunting. Drasna soon shook her head and interrupted, placing a hand on the noble’s shoulder.

  “You’re gonna break your thumb if you punch like that.”

  Isobella stopped and shook her hands in defeat, “Is that why it hurts so much?”

  Drasna held out her fist, “You’re tucking your thumb under your other fingers, but you want to do the opposite and wrap your thumb around your two fingers. Like this see.”

  Isobella mirrored the first and nodded, “I see, and that will make it not hurt?”

  Drasna shook her head, “Throwing a punch is always going to hurt, that’s why technique is important. Hit with your knuckles, or you can jab with an open palm. Much older monks used to grow calluses on their fists, but I’m sure you’d rather keep your dainty hands nice and pretty.”

  “You would assume correctly, though I do make a habit of wearing gloves.”

  “Aw, saving your perfect hands for me? Still, I guess the prettier your hands are, shows how well I protect you, huh?”

  “I’m actually finding punching things to be surprisingly therapeutic.”

  “Then by all means, teach that tree who’s boss, it called me fat you know?”

  Isobella smirked, “Oh! Now that won’t do at all.”

  Isobella struck the tree how Drasna had taught her, Thumbs out, leaning into it, and keeping her feet firmly planted. The air and a layer of dust puffed off the mattress with every hit. Isobella couldn’t help but grin, she felt powerful in a different way than usual, it was exhilarating in a way. She also found joy in making Drasna proud, she doubted she’d ever get to spar with the monk, but still enjoyed the thought of being able to do so one day. Isobella shifted, intent on throwing a finishing blow, but tripped over the tree roots. Before she could hit the ground a strong hand wrapped around her lower back and pulled her into a bridal carry.

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  “Got a little excited there did we? Those roots can be really sneaky if you aren’t careful.”

  “Well, thankfully I have such a marvelous girlfriend to protect me from them.”

  “Oh you just earned a kiss for that one, you silver tongued minx.”

  Drasna lifted Isobella higher and leaned forward for a quick kiss before setting the blushing noble back down.

  Isobella muffled a giggle, “I hope all this coaching hasn’t distracted you from your own lessons.”

  A cocky grin formed on Drasna’s face as she took an odd stance and pointed her fingers at each other. She hummed and strained, while muttering a few words under her breath. A few green sparks sputtered and flickered into a ball between her fingers, as sweat began to drip down her face. Isobella sighed and shook her head with a hint of disappointment at the sight, but remained quiet. After a few more seconds, Drasna lost focus and the emerald light faded. She sat back down on the stump and took a long drink from one of the bottles while panting.

  “Magic takes mental effort and concentration, you’re trying to physically force it into existence. Though the fact that you were able to do as much as you did implies you at least have the spark for magic, though how strong a spark is yet to be seen.”

  Drasna crossed her arms and shook her head, “I’m a monk, extreme physical effort is my whole deal. I’ve never been great at meditation either, it’s hard to clear my mind.”

  Isobella paced around the blond, munching on a few freshly plucked blackberries, “I suspect what you need is the right motivation, but what would motivate a girl like you? Food perhaps, definitely not clothes, actually that might work.”

  Drasna’s eyes narrowed, but continued to try and create light, “You have your evil thinking face on, what sneaky warlock trick are you planning?”

  “If you can create light, I’ll come to bed in just my underwear tonight, how about that?”

  Drasna’s eyes widened, “What? You mean I’ll get to see-”

  A fist sized ball of bright emerald light manifested in between the monks fingers, fading in and out like a heart beat. Isobella giggled and clapped her hands, impressed the blond pulled it off. Drasna looked down at the light dumbstruck, yet very pleased with herself, which only made the light shine brighter.

  “Remember this feeling, and you should have a much easier time using magic in the future, you perv.”

  Drasna snorted, “That should be easy, I’m always thinking about you Izzy. Wait! Who are you calling a perv? You’re the one who wants to chain me up in the basement.”

  Isobella rolled her eyes, “Oh please, you’ve seen the basement, where would I even keep you?”

  “It doesn’t have to be the basement. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if you had a secret room hidden somewhere in the chateau.”

  Isobella quickly turned away to hide her red face, “Nonsene, I’m not that rich, nor am I a vampire!”

  Drasna smiled and saw through the deception, “I’ve known you long enough to know that’s a bold faced lie. I’m totally gonna find that secret room, or maybe even rooms.”

  Isobella scoffed, “Even if I had hidden rooms, which I don’t, you’d never find them.”

  Drasna stood up and walked closer, grinning like an idiot, “You wanna bet?”