Chapter 118: The Teacher: Part One
Evanna took a deep breath, bracing herself as she stepped forwards into the space the prince just stood. A gentle breeze blew strands of her hair across her face as she gazed upon the gardens waiting for her lesson to begin. Even though the prince was no longer on the spot she now stood, she could still feel an energy swirling around in a circle along the ground. But there was no black mist, nor did she feel any pain, so she presumed it was safe.
Arawn walked to stand in front of her and began instructing her on the first few steps. Which seemed to be simple: Focus on the energy you feel inside of yourself. Evanna knew without further explanation what he meant. She already felt the rush of life flow through her when she tried to heal the plants earlier. Although it seemed even when she focused, with a scowl on her features, it did not do anything.
Maybe her teacher was too much of a distraction. He was standing directly in front of her with a stern facial expression. It wasn’t his blindingly beautiful, good looks, but the pressure of being stared at while she tried to concentrate at calling on her gift.
Evanna shook her head and focused on his chest area, not his looks, as she drew from the thriving energy she felt from within her. Her lips twitched into a small smile from the slight thrum of power radiating from her being; the gift felt like pure happiness, as though if she used it, she could giggle. But Evanna knew how that sounded and settled on smiling instead.
"I can feel it. Good," Arawn praised as he approached her again. "Now, you need to reach out to the power, and when you have it in your grasp, that is when you start the arm movements. But only after you hold onto it."
Evanna still held her gaze ahead, this time keeping her concentration even as Arawn came closer. His voice was calm and soothing. He circled her while she tried to ’grasp’ at the gift, not fully understanding what he meant.
"Close your eyes," Arawn whispered by her ear. Evanna jumped at his sudden close proximity and how his breath tickled her ear. He did not do anything else, so Evanna knew Arawn was on his ’best behaviour’ and was there to help her.
Evanna obeyed his instructions and closed her eyes. Arawn did not move from by her side, and maybe she thought too soon because his hands suddenly slid past her waist and rested on her stomach. Evanna jolted, but he clicked his tongue in annoyance, silencing her instant protests.
"I want you to imagine a knot inside of your core," He whispered gently. His hands tapped lightly on Evanna’s stomach once more, and she felt herself cooling down in the area he tapped. Was he using his gift on her? "Imagine the knot, and you are trying to unravel it.. When you feel it unravelling, that’s when you grasp at it and begin the hand movements."