"I already know why he's doing it. She is spreading her legs for this Zephyr and probably the other one too!" The clan leader thrust a shaking finger at Alexi. "And somehow she has managed to convince him that he's special." Ro felt shock as though she had been slapped in the face. She turned white then crimson.
"Honey, you don't know that." Lady Alexandra said patiently. Alexi was bristling with anger.
"There is nothing special about her! Of course, that's the reason. She is nothing more than a human whore!" The clan leader yelled. He looked like he was going to go on but stopped short when he felt the tip of Alexi's spear press into his throat. His anger filled eyes widened. "You dare!" He roared. With one hand he gripped the spear around its shaft. With the other he sent a blast of air at Alexi knocking him back into the court. Alexi flipped once then landed in a crouch, skidding backwards. The clan leader stood, cracking his neck. "It is a hundred years too soon for you to be challenging me, boy!" He began walking forwards. Alexi raised a hand and one of the spears from that the guards had dropped flew into his hand. He stood his eyes not leaving his father.
Lady Alexandra stood and gestured for Ro to do the same.
"This is between them. Let's let them work it out. You can join me in my solar." Ro stood too but looked worriedly at Alexi and the clan leader.
"Yes Lady, but shouldn't we stop them?" she asked softly.
"Oh no dear. They do this all the time."
"But what if one of them gets hurt?" Lady Alexandra smiled softly.
"Honey! Do remember he is your only son. Try not to hurt him too badly." She called to her mate.
"I am just going to teach him a lesson he won't forget." He called over his shoulder.
"There you have it. He won't kill him." Ro looked into Lady Alexandra's kind face. "Now come along." Ro uncertainly followed Lady Alexandra from the practice courts back into the main building.
She tried to remember the path they took as they walked but after the third staircase and fourth turn she was lost. After a few more minutes of walking they came to a door caved with roses and stopped. Lady Alexandra opened it and walked in with a smile and gestured for Ro to follow.
The room they entered was spacious and light. There were large arched windows on two walls that let in natural light. The grey stone walls were white washed and covering the floor was a carpet of pink and gold flowers and green vines. There was a large fireplace built into the wall on Ro's right. Along one wall was an organized smallish desk. Beside it was a tall glass cabinet filled with implements of magic. In the center of the room were three cushioned chairs and a small painted table.
"Sit." Lady Alexandra ordered. Ro walked over to the smallest chair and complied. Lady Alexandra watched her, her face unreadable. After a time, she spoke. "First let me apologize for my mate. He is sometimes too quick to judge." Ro nodded slowly, and she went on. "I am more open minded. Is what Alexi said, about your magical abilities, true?"
"So far it is, Lady." Ro replied. Lady Alexandra smiled softly.
"Then I will test you to see if you are worthy of my son." Her face became cold and hard. She went over to the glass cabinet and opened it. She grabbed a ceramic mug and an unlit candle. Coming back to the chairs she placed them on the little table. Then she sat in the chair facing Ro. "First, fill this cup with water." Lady Alexandra ordered.
Ro reached with her mind to the place she felt water and requested that it fill the cup. The water instantly responded to her summons, filling the cup to the brim. Lady Alexandra looked at it dubiously as she picked it up. She carefully held it under her nose and sniffed. Then, she peered at it. After a moment, she took a sip. Ro saw her eyes widen slightly before remembering she wasn't supposed to be looking at them. She returned her gaze to Lady Alexandra's mouth as Lady Alexandra returned the cup to the table.
"Now light the candle." Lady Alexandra ordered again. Ro ordered the fire to light the candle and it did. Jumping from her mind to the wick in a flash. The flame was hot, white in its center that faded to blue then to orange. Lady Alexandra watched it for a minute but once again said nothing. "Summon shadow between me and the flame." She ordered. Ro did as she was instructed, and the shadows were inky black. The Lady peered at them with narrowed eyes. "Summon me a gemstone." Ro frowned.
"I don't think I know how, Lady."
"Well then a rock. Any rock will do." Lady Alexandra sounded irritated.
Ro closed her eyes and reached out for earth. She felt its patience and strength firmly in her mind. She envisioned a rock with those qualities resting in her hand. She saw it in her mind and pulled it into reality. When she opened her eyes, the medium sized rock rested in her palm.
"Let me see it." Lady Alexandra ordered briskly.
Ro handed it to her. Lady Alexandra looked at it and her eyes became dreamy. She slowly closed her hand about the rock and pieces of it began crumbling away and dropping to the floor. She opened her hand again and in it sat a clear, largish, lump. Brushing the remaining pieces of rock away she held it to the lit of the candle. Sighing softly Lady Alexandra placed the lump on the table. "Lastly, I want you to put out the candle using air. Ro felt with her mind for air. It tugged at her mind, playing with her. She caught a strand of it and sent it streaming for the candle. Then she released it. It zipped around the room, ruffling Lady Alexandra's ringlets and gown before it zoomed out of the open window.
"Sorry, air is playful." Ro apologized. Lady Alexandra just frowned at her. Ro felt like she was being scrutinized. She fidgeted nervously in her chair. At last Lady Alexandra stood.
"I will give you a gift." She stated firmly.