The man’s grin grew wider as we approached him, and he strode out of the concrete structure, thrusting one hand out towards me, “you must be Jess.”

I shook it, trying not to wince at how firm his grip was, “nice to meet you.”

Juku gave me a wide smile, “looking forward to your first lesson?” He didn’t wait for me to reply, turning to Asher instead, “you can head out, your highness. I got this.”

Asher crossed his arms over his chest, giving the other man an even stare. Then he turned and smiled at me, obviously trying not to let annoyance show on his face. It was pretty obvious he didn’t get along with the trainer, “You’ll be alright? Do you want me to stay?”

I glanced over at Juku. Would he think I was a coward if I asked Asher to stay? It wasn’t like I needed babysitting, plus I sort of didn’t want him to see me make a complete idiot out of myself, “No, thanks. I’ll be fine, come get me after though? I still have no idea how to get anywhere.”

Juku crossed his arms, mirroring Asher’s stance. They almost looked like they were facing off now, “I can walk the lady to the dining hall after we’re finished.”

“I think I’ll come check in on you anyways,” Asher said coolly, “just to make sure you haven’t bruised our guest. We can walk together, all three, if you like, Juku.”

Oh geeze. I backed up, reluctant to stand between the two of them. They were practically oozing testosterone at one another. It was ridiculous. I could sort of see why Asher had that tone when he talked to the trainer though, Juku was…well, aggressive.

Finally Asher flashed me another grin and turned on his heel, saying over his shoulder, “I’ll be back in an hour, Jess. Kick his butt.”

I almost wanted to, just to see the look on his face when I told him about it. But when I turned to look back at Juku I knew even the thought of fighting him was ridiculous. He stood head and shoulders above me, and his arm, still crossed over his chest, were ropey with muscles. Everything about him was hard. Even his smile, battle axe sharp, as he looked at me, “So, let’s go over what you’ve done so far. What did you learn…with them. With the rebels.”

“Not much,” I admitted, “My mom – Kari…whoever she was, didn’t do much other than figure out I had the link. She was…I don’t think she was really concerned about me learning anything. Just that she could use me….” I trailed off, not sure why I was blurting all of this out. My cheeks began to glow, but Juku was shaking his head, dark brows knitted together, “that woman, ugh. She’s a piece of work.”

“Did you know her…I mean, before she started the rebellion?”

He hesitated, “Yeah, I mean…she didn’t say much to me, you know, I’m just a trainer, not a royal,” he said it mockingly, rolling his eyes, “she always did think she was so special.”

“Yeah,” I couldn’t help remembering the look on her face as we’d sat by the fire, the way her eyes glittered when she’d learned about the link, “Yeah, we didn’t get along.”

Juku tipped back his head and laughed loudly, making me jump, “I’ll wager that’s an understatement,” he cleared his throat, “So, um…safe to say she didn’t teach you anything really.”

I couldn’t help feeling foolish, like I was failing some kind of test, “Uh – well, Asher taught me to throw a fire ball.”

He looked incredulous, “Really? Asher taught you that? That seems unlikely.”

Immediately I felt defensive, “I’m not lying. He told me how to do it…”

“Woah,” Juku held up both hands. His easy grin was back, “calm down, I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t telling the truth. It’s just strange, seeing as our prince is a dud and all.” He looked smug, and when I didn’t say anything the look faded a little, “Ah, I suppose he must have told you.”

At first I hadn’t been sure if I liked Juku, and now I really wasn’t sure. He’d seemed a little too happy to deliver the news about Asher not having any power. It seemed a bit petty.

“Yeah,” I said, “he told me right away. It’s not a big deal…”

“Yeah,” Juku’s smug grin was back, “no big deal, future king not having a power…ah, well.” I narrowed my eyes at him and he laughed, “I’m just joking around, love.”

“Shouldn’t you be…teaching me something?” I said pointedly.

He sighed and rolled his eyes, “yes, yes you’re right. Okay, so I’m guessing you can’t control it at all then. Just pops up when you’re mad or scared?”

“Yup,” I muttered. If he was going to try to scare me or make me angry, he was going to get kicked in the balls.

“Alright, no problem,” Juku walked over to the edge of the cement structure and settled down on it, patting the wall next to him, “have a seat. This lesson will mostly be talking. We’ll try to get you to access the floodgates as it were.”

After a second of debate I walked over, sitting down on the wall several feet away from him, “okay. What do you mean by floodgates?”

“It’s what I call it,” Juku explained, “there’s no real scientific term for it. It’s that mental block that keeps your power in check, and I’m going to teach you how to access it. To turn it on and off so you can control the fire. You’ll be able to get good and angry without setting everything on fire.”

“Well that’s a relief.”

“So first, shut your eyes,” Juku’s voice dropped lower, becoming calm and firm. Almost like a hypnotist. His teaching voice I guess.

I shut my eyes, taking in a deep breath. What if I was horrible at this? What if I wasn’t able to control it?

“Now try to relax. Relax every muscle in your body.”

What was this, like meditation or something? I tried to relax, but it was hard, since my butt was on solid concrete and my heart was pounding in my ears.

His voice was soothing, “now try to reach deep into yourself. There should be something there that wasn’t before. Something you never had before the fire at your school. An inner spark, if you will. Something you can unlock.”

This felt too much like some kind of stupid yoga exercise. Maybe next he’d start talking about cosmic karma or something…

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but just try.”

Somehow he could tell I was skeptical. I straightened up, feeling guilty, trying to…I dunno, reach into my subconscious. How did you do that anyways?

“Be aware of your body,” his voices sunk to a whisper, but somehow I could still hear him over the clatter and buzz of the training room, “be aware of each muscle. Be aware of the breath moving through you. Breath deeper. Settle into a regular rhythm.”

I obeyed, drawing in deeper breathes through my nose.  The light coming in through the upper windows was imprinting on my eyelids. Sparks danced in the dark.

“Reach back into yourself,” he breathed, “find that thing that wasn’t there before. Become aware of yourself.”

Aware of myself. Squeezing my eyes shut I tried to reach “back” into myself, searching the darkness behind my eyes, trying to think about my breathing, the way I was sitting, the noise that was battering me from all sides. And then it happened, I caught a flicker of something in the darkness. There was something there. I tried to lock on to it, tried to bring it up in my subconscious, but it was gone as soon as I thought it was there. Like trying to keep sand from trickling through your fingers. It was there and then gone in the next instant.

My shoulders sagged, eyes flickering open. I was shocked to seeJuku only inches away from my face, dark blue eyes fixed on me. I jumped back, and he pulled away hastily. After an awkward second he said, “well?”

“I think I felt something,” I admitted, “but then it was gone when I tried to figure out what the heck it was. This is kinda confusing.”

Juku leaned back on the cement wall, casual once again, “don’t worry, it will come in time. It does take a bit to figure out how to access it, or even realize that it’s there. Want to try again?”

I sighed, and then my gaze was drawn to Juku’s hands as flames suddenly flared to life on his palms, he grinned, juggling them from one to the other, “Or would you rather have some fun?”

The jumping flames were irresistible, so when he reached one hand out I put my hand up after only a second of hesitation. Our fingertips touched, and the fire flickered and jumped, traveling down his fingers and onto mine. A grin spread across my face. I couldn’t help it. The flames tickled, caressing the palm of my hand, warm and soft.

Juku didn’t move his hand, and his voice was low, teasing, “You’re a bit of a pyro, aren’t you?”

I kept my eyes on the flames, “aren’t you all?”

“Of course,” he drawled, lazy with pleasure. His blue eyes were hooded, but I could see the flames reflected in them, “how can you not be mesmerized by it? Hot, dangerous, beautiful…”

Now I dragged my eyes away from the flames dancing on my palm, to find him staring at me, felt a chill run down my back. I wasn’t sure if I liked him being this close, but he was right about one thing. The fire was almost addicting. If I moved away would he take the flames with him?

A voice from outside the concrete ring said, “didn’t take long, did you Juku?”

Juku pulled away abruptly, and the flames were gone.

Asher stood there staring at the trainer. He had one hand on the pommel of a long, broad sword, the tip of which was resting on the floor. He looked casual, unconcerned. But his voice was hard.

“To what?” Juku feigned innocence, blinking at him, and Asher gave him a wide smile, “to train her to produce fire. Why, what did you think I meant?”

The trainer shrugged, changing the subject, “you’re early, your highness. Checking up on our young charge?”

“Clearly not,” Asher gestured at the sword in his hand, “getting in some practice before lunch.”

“Ah, yes,” Juku folded his hands together, “we must work hard to overcome, mustn’t we? I really do admire your drive, young prince.”

It could have been a compliment, but it obviously wasn’t. Asher shrugged it off, turning to me as though he hadn’t just been insulted, “give me a shout as soon as you’re done, we’ll head for lunch. I hear it’s roast chicken today,” he winked before turning away, “hope you’re not a vegetarian!”

“Oh, I’m not,” I called back, “don’t you worry about that.”

When I turned back Juku was still staring after Asher, his mouth a thin line, brows drawn together, “alright,” he said, “another round of meditation I suppose.”

We tried again. I crossed my legs and folded my hands and tried to think deep thoughts, but all I could hear was the clang and crash of swords next to me, and every inch of me was tense. All I wanted to do was open my eyes and peek at Asher. What did he look like when he was sparring? Tense muscles and glittering beads of sweat sprang to mind, the thought of Asher swinging the broadsword, blue eyes full of fire, was enough to distract me completely.  And by the end of the lesson both Juku and I were frustrated. But I think….mostly me.