Metheea was exhausted, and she knew exactly why. The reason was the man in front.
She had spent yesterday avoiding Prince Arzayel, hiding behind hallways, slipping through corridors, dodging eye contact in class and somehow, it had only made it worse. He kept appearing wherever she was, like a curse. Even in her normal lectures, he would show up at the back in the guise of visiting classroom, arms crossed, smirking like he knew she was watching.
Yesterday was chaos. Everywhere he went, he left squealing girls and people clamoring, asking what in the world was happening.
But today would be the last. Thank the heavens.
Instructor Hanlo stood before the class. "Today, we'll finish the 3-day training with His Royal Highness with the Medallion's Champion."
Students straightened, some leaning forward in interest.
"The instructors, including His Highness, will be the predators. Each of you will be given a medallion, which you will wear around your neck for visibility. If you can keep it hidden and keep yourselves hidden for one hour in the forest, you win. But if we find you and take the medallion, you're out."
Buzz filled the air. Students looked excited but Metheea only felt dread. She knew her brother would come for her and she doesn't understand why.
"Go!"
Everyone broke into a run, sprinting into the forest. Metheea cast her concealment spell while she moved, a soft shimmer surrounding her before disappearing entirely. She did not stop running, even as branches scraped her arms. She looked back no sign of Erosian who followed her closely, or anyone.
She found a low stone outcrop, a shallow cave-like space on the base of a stone. It would do. She pressed herself into the curve, cast another illusion, and stayed perfectly still.
She stiffened as she heard voices and steps.
She held her breath as instructors ran past, fast and focused. Her heart almost stopped when Arzayel ran by.
But he didn't see her. She was safe.
She waited until the last of the footsteps faded, then slowly exhaled. A noise behind her made her jump. There was a scuffle, close by.
If anyone touched her, the spell could break. She crawled out and moved deeper into the forest.
That was when she heard more footsteps.
Instructor Reggy was chasing Abeth, one of the strongest students in class. She watched standing still as Abeth turned and punched, but Reggy ducked and swept his leg out from under him with a smooth, practiced move, sending Abeth crashing down.
With a grin, Reggy plucked the medallion off Abeth's chest. "Go back," he said, laughing as Abeth groaned.
Metheea stood frozen. The whole fight had happened just five feet away from her, completely unaware she was there. Her magic held.
Feeling more confident, she kept walking, searching for a better hiding place. Illusion magic ran in her blood after all, she was a princess of Dethryd, the kingdom of illusionary magic. This was too easy.
Until she felt it.
A heavy pressure. A gaze.
She turned her head and froze. A hundred meters away, standing high on a boulder, was a silhouette. Arzayel.
She didn't wait to see if he'd spotted her.
She ran.
She darted behind a thick tree and cast another layer of concealment. Her hands trembled.
"You're faster than I expected."
She gasped. He was beside her. How did he even caught up to her that fast?
Her spell faltered. She tried to run, but he caught her easily, pulling her back against the tree, his arms on either side.
She had no choice but to look up. He grinned, enjoying himself, like this was all a game to him.
"Where are you going?" he asked, smirking.
She glanced around for a way to escape, then stomped on his foot.
He didn't even flinch. He laughed as she took back her foot. "You think you can outrun me?"
"I can," she answered, knowing full well she couldn't but all she needed was distance from him.
He let her go. "Let's see it then."
She bolted. No spells. He had sensed her even from that distance, so illusions were useless.
A squeal left her lips when he grabbed her again, spinning her and backing her against another tree.
"Take it," she muttered, handing him the medallion, trying to squirm away. His body was warm, too close, too solid. It felt wrong. Any man that close felt wrong. A brother? Worse.
He held her still. "Giving up?"
"Yes," she said, trying to pull back.
He reached for the medallion, but she kneed his stomach and broke free. She didn't mean to. Her body moved before her brain caught up.
She looked back. He stood there, touching his abdomen like he couldn't believe it.
Neither could she.
She'd just attacked the crown prince.
She was dead.
But she kept running.
She didn't make it far as he grabbed her again and slammed a hand beside her head, boxing her in. His breathing was heavier now. His eyes almost glowed.
"That hurt," he said, eyes dropping to her lips.
Liar. He didn't look hurt. Just surprised.
"Just take the medallion," she whispered.
He didn't move. "Are you going to run again?"
"No," she said. She just wanted this over with.
She shoved the medallion into his chest.
He took it, still holding her hand. "That was fun," he said, his gaze holding hers like a leash. That felt wrong.
She pulled away without answering and walked back to the clearing without looking back but she felt his gaze all the way.
When the hour ended, all students had lost their medallions. No one had lasted.
Instructor Hanlo announced, "Five students stood out today. First, Erosian of Lavitry, the last to be captured."
Erosian stepped forward, smiling widely as Hanlo handed him a medallion, clearly proud of himself.
"Second, Pili of Tariva, for his strength. Third, Tirso of Fendo, for his speed. Fourth, Nhili of Jiva for endurance. And fifth..."
Metheea looked up.
"Lisse," Hanlo said. "For successfully using concealment... against everyone but the prince."
Metheea felt her chest rise with pride. For once, her magic had proven itself. Even if only for a moment, even if not against him, she had done well. Metheea walked to the front beside the 4 men. Erosian grinned at her as the cheers echoed.
Then it dies down replaced by murmurs. She looked up at froze as Arzayel took the medallion from Hanlo. All the 4 men were awarded by Hanlo but now he took it upon himself.
Arzayel walked toward her, the medallion in his hand while the whispers grew louder.
He placed the medallion around her neck, his fingers lingering on her skin. "Get ready for tomorrow," he said with a smirk.
She stood there frozen, heart pounding, wondering what tomorrow would cost her.