"I can't do this," she gasped, panting and drooping her shoulders. It had been a week since she started her classes and out of all her practical and theory classes that included combat, catalysis of gifts, shielding, battle strategy, and flying lessons, this extra class with Professor Winguard was by far the worst and the most draining.
She was on one of the smaller valleys that lay opposite The Great Dale with Professor Winguard who had been trying to help her wield her void abilities. However, since the past week was full of failed attempts in summoning her powers, she could tell that the handsome Professor's patience was running thin.
Professor Winguard exhaled noisily and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to keep his temper in check.
"We've been over this numerous times, Cadet Evegheden. You need to concentrate. Focus on the power within you, tap into it."
Gwen bit the inside of her cheek. If she heard the same phrase 'focus and concentrate' one more time, she was positive that she would break the Professor's nose.
She closed her eyes and braced herself, trying to imagine how it felt when she was in the void stone on Mount Percival.
"Imagine that there is nothing around you. Not me, not this valley. No light, no dark. Nothing. Relax your mind and create a small thread of void," the Professor continued in a low voice and Gwen tried to concentrate.
She breathed deeply, following the Professor's instructions, trying to do as he said. "Nothing around me. No light, no dark. Nothing," she repeated to herself, allowing the tension to slowly leave her body.
"Imagine that you are drawing the threads of the void around you," he continued his instructions. "Feel the void energy swirl within you, like a whirlwind of nothing."
Gwen tried to clear her mind, focusing solely on the task at hand. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her breathing quickened.
After what felt like an eternity of failed attempts and frustration, something shifted in Gwen's consciousness. It was as if she found herself in the void again.
"That's it," the Professor praised in a low voice, noticing the subtle change in her demeanor. "Feel it. Let the void fill you. Keep going."
The world seemed to tilt and shift around Gwen. Everything was dulled out, yet, this was not a sense of hopelessness. Rather, it was a strangely comforting sensation. Her body trembled and her fingers twitched as she felt a sudden hum of energy swirl inside her, like a storm brewing within.
"Reach out now. Reach out and grab it," Professor Winguard said, sounding as if his voice was echoing through a tunnel. "Reach out now. Reach out and grab it."
She knitted her eyebrows, concentrating on reaching out to the luminous, thin line of energy before her.
"You're almost there," his voice was almost distant at this point as her fingers were a mere inch away from the imaginary thread.
Suddenly, a vision of a dark figure shadowed her imagination. His face was in the shadows but his exposed mouth curved in a threatening grin. Gwen stood still, unmoving.
Suddenly, he pounced at her, making her stagger backwards.
"Gwendolyn!" she opened her eyes to a very familiar panicked face. Thorndyke. But it wasn't him who shouted in her head.
"Zyre?" she thought back into the bond.
"I felt it through our bond," his panicked voice echoed in her head, "Are you in danger? What is happening? Talk to me, Chosen One. What is going on?"
"I am fine. I will tell you later," she replied which earned her a low growl but the dragon didn't push her anymore.
Thorndyke crouched down in front of Gwen, his eyes scanning her face, "Gwen, what happened? You just froze up there. You look pale."
The professor took a step back, watching the exchange with a mix of concern and frustration. He pinched the bridge of his nose, his frustration evident.
"She was almost there," he said to Thorndyke. "I could feel it. She was so close." He looked at Gwen, studying her as she sat on the ground, a frown on his face, "What happened? Have you never even tried to wield before?" he asked, his voice stern yet edged with frustration.
Zyre grumbled, "I'm coming to you-"
"No. Wait. I'm fine."
He growled but remained silent, giving Gwen some time to think. As she was about to tell the Professor about her vision, Thorndyke interfered, his voice firm, "She overexerted herself. It's obvious."
Winguard looked at Thorndyke, his expression unchanging. "That's not an excuse," he replied coldly.
Thorndyke gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing, "The Void stone is not some child's plaything. It isn't easy to control it's overwhelming powers. She's still learning. Cut her some slack."
Winguard's stern demeanor remained as he looked at Gwen who still sat on the ground, looking pale and shaken.
"I know it's not a child's plaything," he said gruffly, "but she needs to learn to control it. What happened just now was a clear indication of what can happen if she doesn't."
He glanced over at Thorndyke with an arch of an eyebrow.
"And you pushing her too hard isn't going to make it any better," he retorted, "she needs to learn at her own pace, not yours."
"She does not have the luxury of time, Cadet Thorndyke," the professor gritted out, "We do not have time. Apparently you are not aware that your father expects her to graduate this year and with her pace? I am afraid it won't be possible any time soon."
"That pompous buffoon. I swear to the God I will rip his head off," Zyre growled once again, making Gwen snap back into her surroundings.
She frowned at Winguard's words. Why would General Thorndyke care about her graduation? It looked like Thorndyke was thinking the same because he gritted his teeth, glaring at the professor's back who finally took his leave. He ran a hand through his hair.
She couldn't understand why he was so fired up because of it. He had been acting strange for the last week. One moment, he was all cocky and the infamous asshole she hated so much, and the other moment, he would become protective and strangely caring that she still hated so much.
Maybe he didn't want to upset his seemingly disturbed relationship with his father, that's why he didn't have any choice but to take care of her? The thought was unsettling but amusing to an extent.
"Let's go," he grabbed her elbow, but she snatched it back.
"Excuse me?" she raised her chin and furrowed her eyebrows.
"Stop being so stubborn for once," he gritted his teeth.
"Or what?" she muttered, crossing her arms in defiance, despite how exhausted she felt. She couldn't help but try to rile him up. It was a habit by now.
"Damn it, woman! I'm trying to help you!" he hissed. He was visibly agitated. And hot, she added mentally. That vein bobbing on his neck made her stomach roll in wonders. She was positive that she found him attractive... and hated the fact that she found him attractive.
"I don't need your help," she raised her eyebrows.
"Then it's an order," he frowned at her.
"I don't take orders from you," she narrowed her eyes in a challenge. There was no way in hell that he thought he could order her around like a little puppy.
"Then you need to learn to take orders from your House Captain," he said through gritted teeth. "And, currently, I am telling you to shut up and come with me."
"Make me," his eyes darkened, and she struggled to maintain an eye contact.
He took a slow step forward, towering over her, the tense muscles in his neck visibly flexing. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her face. "You're insufferable, you know that?" he muttered through gritted teeth.
She stood her ground, refusing to back down. "I could say the same about you," she retorted.
"That's it," he muttered, reaching out and grabbing her by the waist as he effortlessly lifted her over his shoulder and began to walk in the direction of the Academy.
She let out a surprised yelp as she found herself dangling over his shoulder. "What the hell are you doing?" she gasped, struggling in his grip.
He ignored her struggles, his grip on her waist firm and determined, "I'm teaching you a lesson in respect," he retorted gruffly.
"Put me down, you big oaf!" she protested, trying to wiggle out of his grip.
He carried her like she weighed nothing, his muscular arms clenching tightly around her legs and waist. She was squirming and protest but he continued walking with a fierce determination that was both attractive and infuriating.
"Respect, huh? I think you're the one needs to learn some manners," he retorted, his voice gruff and firm, "stop struggling or I'll drop you."
As he continued to stride towards the Academy with her draped over his shoulder, the students they passed tried to suppress their chuckles, probably amused by the sight of their Captain carrying struggling Gwen like a mere sack of potatoes.
Gwen protested furiously, trying her best to kick and claw at him, "I don't need your lesson in respect, you big ape! Put me down this instant!"
"Tell him I shall not hesitate to turn him into dragon food if he does not release you right this instant," Zyre grumbled through the bond.
"Zyre says that if you don't put me down, then he will eat you up and spit you out!" she shouted, kicking at him, but Thorndyke's grip didn't waver.
"You, little venom, are a nuisance. An absolute pain in the ass," he growled, his voice gruff and low. "But you're also the Captain's responsibility, and I do my responsibilities well."
Gwen's stomach flopped at his firm tone, her pulse quickening in frustration and... something else she couldn't quite define. She couldn't deny the thrill running down her spine at being manhandled by him like this, but she refused to let him have the satisfaction of knowing it.
Yeah, it was attractive. So, what?
"I'm my own responsibility," she protested, still trying to wriggle out of his grasp.
He chuckled, the low rumble of his voice sending a shiver down Gwen's spine. "You're a stubborn one," he muttered, his grip unwavering. "But you're also in my House, under my authority. You will learn to accept it, whether you like it or not."
Gwen growled in frustration, her hands flailing in an attempt to hit him. "Damn you, Thorndyke," she muttered.
She was damn sure that he was smirking infuriatingly because of his cocky tone, "Keep struggling, I dare you. It's quite a nice view from here."
Insufferable jerk.