Heir of Broken Fate (HOBF Book 1)

I awake the next morning before the sun rises. Still feeling drained and emotionally wrung out from yesterday’s outburst, I rub my eyes with the heel of my palms. If Easton were here, he’d be giving me hell over missing training, so I honor him the only way I know how to right now. I drag myself out of bed and change into my fighting leathers.

Leaving my room, I tiptoe as to not wake the enhanced hearing Faes in the house.

Downstairs, I search for the training room. Knox is too muscular to not train; he’ll have a training room somewhere in this house.

As I look around, I start to realize I don’t need to sneak around. Knox is so informal, I haven’t seen a singular guard in any hall, not now or since we’ve arrived. The only time I’ve seen guards is when I step outside and the only time I’ve spotted servants was the first night I had dinner here.

Never mind the guards, the house itself is informal.

Although it isn’t a palace or a castle, Knox’s house is ginormous, being three stories tall filled with endless rooms. Looking through hall after hall, room after room, I finally descend to the lower ground floor, finding the training room that overlooks the back garden. I open the doors, breathing deeply as I inhale the scents of nature around me, letting it soothe and calm me.

Walking back inside, my gaze roams the room.

The far-right side wall is covered with swords, knives, staffs, and weapons. Training mats line the floor in the center, and seats and benches are scattered around the room. Standing in the center mat I begin training, executing the motions of Easton’s latest workout regime he created. My heart burns with pain as I train by myself for the first time in my life.

After returning to my room for a much-needed bath, I dress myself for the day, mentally preparing myself for the embarrassment that’s about to ensue. I can’t believe Knox saw me like that. My cheeks heat as I swear expletives, chastising my body for already showing the signs of my mortification.

I run through scenarios in my mind of how I can smooth this over breakfast, but coming up with nothing, I decide to completely avoid all talks of yesterday and pretend it never happened. Nodding to myself, I plaster on a fake smile and make my way to the dining room.

Walking through the French doors, I avoid Hazel and Knox’s eyes. “Good morning,” I chirp. Rushing forward, I lower myself into the same seat as yesterday, praying no one notices my trembling hands as I serve myself breakfast. “Can we start those magic lessons today?” I ask, keeping my gaze locked on my toast.

Knox’s deep gravelly voice floats over me. “Of course.”

“I’m going to head into town today and search the archives in the library. I’m hoping there’s a section of history written about dark magic,” Hazel chimes in.

I sigh with relief that the attention is off me, successfully avoiding all conversations of yesterday.

Knox clears his throat; I watch in my peripheral as he crosses a powerful leg over his thigh.

“I’d use a different name checking in. I don’t want the queen to get a whiff of what we’re searching for and come knocking on my door,” Knox explains.

Hazel pours syrup over her pancakes. “Anything in particular I should be searching for?”

“Anything to do with dark magic. I don’t want to limit our searches and miss anything important.”

Hazel dips her head. “I’ll go when you two are training.”

“Sounds good,” I mumble.

This is the first time I’ve seen Knox in anything other than a suit. Knox stands several feet from me in the back garden, wearing a tight-fitted white shirt and black training pants. The fabric strains across his chest, his muscles bunching with each movement. I divert my eyes before he can see the spark of heat that courses through me at the sight of him.

Knox brought me to the far back of the garden, the house sitting to my left. It looks magical as it sits at the very peak of the hill, painted white with gray brickwork. A large oak tree towers over the area a few hundred yards away, and white daisies fill the space, complementing the sight of Knox’s home. We’re standing in the widest part of the yard. I dare say he brought us all the way out here in fear that I would incinerate the lovely flowerbed we passed along the way.

Knox’s voice draws my attention. “What has Hazel taught you so far?”

“We touched on protection shields and control.” Lowering my eyes to my feet, the nerves coursing through me make me fidget. “I have a problem with power outbursts from my emotions,” I mutter.

“You didn’t grow up with magic. It’s only natural that it’s harder to control at the moment,” he says smoothly.

His statement eases my embarrassment. Lifting my eyes, I find a small smile playing on his lips.

“That makes sense. How do we figure out what powers I possess?”

“We need to work on your instincts first before adding any more power to the mix. When you’re afraid, your first instinct should be to shield and assess. Currently your first reaction is to attack.”

I dip my chin. “Hazel already covered this.”

Before I can respond, a water-shaped arrow forms in front of me, flying so fast I barely see it coming before it barrels into my stomach, knocking the air from me. I crash to the floor, my stomach drenched as I sit up sputtering.

“You asshole!” I yell.

Knox cocks his head. “Clearly your lesson with Hazel didn’t work.” Knox slides his hands into his pockets as he strolls forward. “You need to start using your Fae senses to their full extent. If you were, you would have seen that coming and shielded.” A faint smile tugs on his lips.

The smug bastard finds this amusing.

I grit my teeth. “I don’t know how to do that.”

“Yes, you do. You’re the one currently blocking half of it.”

“Half?” I yelp.

“Let go, Delilah,” he says simply as another arrow of water forms beside him, without so much as lifting a finger.

I open my mouth to speak when the arrow flies for me. I instinctively throw out a hand, shock coursing through me as fire erupts, colliding with the water arrow until it’s nothing but sizzling steam.

“Great. Now do that with a shield instead,” Knox states flatly.

Already, another arrow barrels for me. I instinctively send out a fire ball that collides with it again.

“At least give me a moment to recover!” I snap.

Another water arrow rushes for my head this time.

“Instinct, remember? There isn’t meant to be a thought process,” he drawls.

He’s enjoying this.

I grit my teeth, swearing up a storm as the water hits me in the face, turning me into a drowned rat.

“I’d say more like a raccoon,” Knox drawls lazily.

My mouth gapes open. This stupid smug bastard—

Another water arrow hits me in the face, knocking me on my ass once more.

Irritation coils in my gut. Without moving a muscle, I watch as a fire ball flies for Knox. I sit up scrambling to apologize when it halts midair, turning to ash as it collides with his protection shield.

“Try again. I’ve got all day,” he purrs.

That’s how training for the next two hours goes.

Knox stares me down, smirking as he taunts me, throwing water arrow after water arrow, yelling about instincts and shields and blah, blah, blah. I tuned him out after the first hour, finding his voice no longer sexy but a nuisance.

I’m grateful that he’s teaching me. However, I don’t appreciate being soaked head to toe while a smug male stands there as dry as a desert.

I’m about to give up, reaching my quota of being pummeled with water. Opening my eyes, I see another arrow a second from hitting me again. Before I can think or move, I snap myself into a bubble. The water arrow hits an invisible shield, as if it’s collided with glass. The water drips down my protection shield.

I throw my arms in the air, cheering profusely. “I did it! I put up a protection shield on instinct!”

Knox bursts out laughing, his head thrown back and smile carefree. The sound makes butterflies take flight in my stomach.

I frown. I liked it better when he was annoying me. At least then my hormones disappeared.

Humor dances in his eyes. “Great, now do that a thousand times more and we’re done.”

I narrow my eyes, irritation spiking again. I don’t feel like being pummeled any longer. Challenge sparks in Knox’s eyes, and before he can send another arrow of water, I erupt. All the irritation and anger over being a punching bag for the last two hours rises to the surface, filling my veins as my magic awakens inside of me.

It appears it’s also done being pummeled.

I smile so wide my cheeks burn. In slow motion, a wave begins to form over Knox’s head. With half a thought I have it slamming on top of him, drenching him completely. My magic seemingly knows exactly how I wanted to exact my revenge on Knox.

I truly have water magic.

I burst out laughing as Knox emerges, shock lining his features as he wipes water out of his eyes.

Slowly sweeping the entire length of his body, my laughter dies completely. I didn’t think this through. Knox’s white shirt is entirely see-through now that it’s wet, clinging to every inch of skin on his glorious chest and stomach. My mouth starts to water, goosebumps running down my arms at the sight of him.

Whatever Knox does to train is working for his benefit. His cut muscles ripple with each breath he takes. I’ve never seen someone so fit before and I’ve trained with men my entire life.

My heart hammers as heat coils in my stomach.

“You were looking a little warm. Thought you might like to cool down,” I croak, not as smoothly as I intended.

Turning away, I rush for the back door, trying to get away from him as fast as possible. I’m about to walk up the patio stairs when I smack directly into a muscular chest, bouncing off it with an oomph. Knox catches my arms before I fall, his large hands steadying me.

His eyes narrow. “Where are you going?”

“I mastered it. We’re done for the day,” I say flatly, refusing to acknowledge the way his hands on my skin make me feel.

He arches a brow. “Giving up so soon?”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t goad me, I’m not a child.”

“I wouldn’t have to goad you if you didn’t give up.”

I throw my hands in the air. “I’m not giving up!” Frustration bounces through me. “I’m done with water. I’m soaked.”

“We’ll work on your mental shields then, considering yours are constantly lowered,” he croons.

My cheeks heat at the possibility of him hearing the thoughts swirling around my mind. I swallow my pride and stare into his eyes, making myself smirk. “Brilliant idea. This nosey asshole keeps peeping into mine,” I say, sickeningly sweet.

I walk away, not daring to see if Knox bought the false bravado I’m presenting.

Nothing can ever happen between us. I refuse to be with anyone like my father, and all kings are corrupt. The thought sobers me, washing away any sexual attraction I felt moments ago from staring at his ridiculously cut body.

Taking a seat on one of the many chairs spread across the patio, I clear my mind before twisting to face Knox. “How do you put up a mental shield? Is it similar to a protection shield?”

Knox takes a seat across from me, stretching out to let his clothes dry in the sun.

“Yes. Magic is creation, mind magic especially. You picture a gate, wall, or shield around your mind. No cracks or holes for anyone to slither into,” he says smoothly.

“That seems rather easy.”

Knox shrugs. “The creation is simple. Holding the protection shield itself is what’s difficult.”

I close my eyes, picturing a white brick wall covered in vines and pink flowers. I walk the perimeter of the wall, my hand dragging behind me, feeling the smooth texture as I check for any holes or cracks. I imagine it’s peaceful and free of harm from others.

No one can hurt me here. No one can touch me.

Opening my eyes, I find Knox’s sapphire ones studying mine.

“Ready?” he asks, his indifferent demeanor back.

I nod, preparing for a mental assault. His eyes narrow on mine, and I wonder when he’s going to begin. I turn my head to the side as I wait.

“Did you hear that?”

I blink. “No, did you say something?”

“First try. Impressive,” he says coolly.

My spine straightens. “Wait, I did it?”

“You must be more imaginative than you think. We’ll use your imagination to help in the magic lessons,” he states, standing.

“That’s it?” I ask, shocked.

He made me practice the protection shield for hours, and now we’re only practicing mental shields once?

Standing, we leave puddles of water on the tiled floors as I follow Knox inside.

“That’s it for now.” He turns to face me. His expression has changed—more distant, closed off.

What the hell pissed him off?

Knox places his hands in his wet pockets, his posture oozing confidence and power. “It’ll take time getting used to having a mental shield. Over time, it should become second nature for you and you won’t have to think about it to have it up.” Dismissing our lesson, he turns away, walking up the staircase toward his room. “I’ll see you at dinner.”