For the next few days Max kept me notified when another body was discovered. Each one had the same claw marks as Robert. Caleb was rushing about the castle and assigning guards to new posts. We had barely spoken since the coronation, and our wedding was in three days.

"Kiora, you can't expect the guards to just let you walk around unattended with people dying," Max explained slowly, as if I were a toddler. I rolled my eyes as the guards shifted from foot to foot. They didn't expect Max to be so informal. They also expected me to be a helpless newborn!

"I am capable of fending for myself. And if I'm not, you have your bow and arrows. I'm fine, seriously." The guards look unhappy, but leave. Max sighs.

"You haven't trained in a while. I haven't trained in a while. I know for a fact that Sam is going to be there shooting targets, and I want to go do better," Max huffs. I snort. I've seen Sam shoot, he's pretty good. Then again, Max can probably direct it towards the target if she misses.

"Fine. I need to relieve some stress anyway." I turn and walk  towards the training room, Max tailing along behind. I've been here long enough to know my way to the few places I frequent, although I do still take wrong turns occasionally.

We eventually make it to the room, and both Wade and Sam were training along with their guards. On the way in I picked up two water bottles. I had a feeling I would use them.

Wade was shrouded in shadows and I could barely see him moving. The guards were having just as hard of a time, and were wandering around hoping to bump into him. Every once in a while you would hear a guard scream as Wade grabbed one of his limbs, and then walk off the mat grumpily. They must be playing some sort of tag.

Sam was shooting targets. As soon as we entered, Max saw him and her eyes lit up. She skipped over to him, pulling out her bow along the way.

I did not expect Caleb to be here, seeing as he was trying to keep the whole castle from panicking. I sighed and headed over to Wade. Uncapping the water bottles, I flung the water around me in order to find him. The water drenched some of the guards, who were shivering in surprise and because the water was chilled to be more refreshing. I finally felt the water brush Wade. I knew because he wasn't wearing armor. Ignoring the need to take a nap, I grabbed his leg with the water. I heard a surprised yelp in Wade's voice. I couldn't hold back my laughter as the shadows disappeared. Every person with abilities had to keep their concentration. I had surprised him, so he lost concentration on the shadows.

"Very funny, Kiora," Wade grumbled. That just made me laugh harder. That made me lose my concentration, and my energy. My legs collapsed under me and the water pooled on the ground. The water energized me a little, but I was still so tired. I still haven't gotten used to shaping again, and I get tired after using about a minute of it. It used to be about thirty seconds, so I have been improving.

Eventually Wade got up and took a mace off the wall. The guards took out their various weapons and shields. I sighed, getting up and grabbing Almace. I know I didn't want to break Almace, and a hit from the mace would most definitely snap the blade in half.

Some of the guards charged straight towards Wade while their partners circled around back. I stood back, resting as well as watching the guards' tactics.

When Wade was distracted with the guards, I leaped in and took a swing at his back. He seemed to know I would be there and dodged. Unfortunately for him, one of the guards took that time to also swing at him. The match ended with the guards victorious.

I heard laughter from the targets. I turned to see Max release an arrow, make it do a intricate loop, and still hit a bullseye. Sam looked put out. I laughed under my breath and made my way over to them.

"- that's no fair. You can control the air. How would I know if you tamper with my arrow? Or if you tamper with yours?" Sam whined. Max snorted.

"Maybe you could drop the charade and admit that I am a better archer," Max joked, before noticing I was standing behind them. "Kiora! You want to try?"

I gave her a look. "If I tried to shoot an arrow, I'd hit Wade. Who is standing with his guards on his platform behind me. Or I'd shoot myself. I can manage throwing knives, but arrows? Count me out." I violently shook my head, getting a chuckle out of both the archers.

Max eventually got me to try shooting an arrow, so I warned everyone in the room just in case an arrow came flying at their head. I lined the arrow up with the target and fired. I'm not sure where the arrow went, but it did not hit the target. Max started laughing uncontrollably. I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, if you want to have a sword duel with me, I would be more than happy to accommodate you," I told her. She shook her head, still laughing.

Caleb strode through the doorway, glaring daggers at me. I internally sighed. He was really tense. I prepared to get yelled at.

"Kiora, why won't you take the guards I assign to you? They are to make sure you stay alive!" Caleb yelled. The room was suddenly empty except the two of us and Max hiding in the doorway.

"I can take care of myself Caleb. And if I cannot, that's what I have Max for," I explained as calmly as possible. Caleb huffed, and suddenly he looked so tired. I felt just as tired, but from shaping, not from running around trying to keep everyone safe. I sighed.

"Caleb, go get some sleep. I think we both should rest, and then I'll go from where you left off," I reasoned. He nodded.

"Sounds-" he yawned. "Sorry. Sounds fair."

We walked out of the abandoned room, leaning on each other so we don't collapse. Max followed a little farther behind, laughing into her fist at the two of us.