Then Again

Istvan threw Cathlinn again, both of them panting as the woman slowly got back on her feet. "You're getting better but you're getting distracted," he stated.

"There's a lot to be distracted with," Cathlinn grumbled as she got close. Romano and one of the other suitors stood to the side and watched. A smile was spread on Romano's face as the other watched in silent shock as Cathlinn went at it with Istvan again. She couldn't land a hit without being hit back immediately and it was a wonder how she wasn't down yet.

"Magic," Istvan caught her wrist and held it, his grip like iron. "Use it."

"I don't-"

"You have it so use it," he stated. She glared at him and looked around before taking a breath. The minute she got in the right mental space to form it, glass shattered not far off in the field. Everyone looked up to see a maid with the Queen, the queens eyes narrowed in displeasure.

"Monique, I was hoping you learned your lesson," she snapped.

"She must train it if she marries one of the suitors, your majesty," Fidor walked up behind the queen and bowed his head as he walked past. "However, I don't think a savage knows enough to teach a lady a refined version of such ability." The Queen shut her mouth quickly as she walked towards Romano and the other. Fidor separates Cathlinn and Istvan's hand before taking Cathlinn's in his own.

"And you can teach her a better way," Istvan glared at the other as Cathlinn looked between the two. They were the exact opposite of each other in looks and airs combined. Fidor was clean cut and his posture never seemed to fade while Istvan was more wild, his body reacting with his emotions subtly.

"I can. It is my country that leads in magical technology right now," Fidor nodded. He pulled Cathlinn back a bit and dusted her off, his lip rising a bit. "You're filthy, your highness."

"Comes with the perks," Cathlinn snorted. He sighed as he stepped back, holding his hand out as small shards began to dance around his fingers.

"It's a manifestation of your emotions and will, not some energy to be controlled," he informed her. "Correct your stance and don't just imagine it, feel it." Cathlinn watched him before gritting her teeth. She spread her feet apart as if she was drilling and at a stand still, her arms at her side. This would be frustrating is what she realized as the electricity zapped through her veins. The rifle took shape in one hand, spreading it so that it was being held. She immediately brought it to her other hand to be held while she looked down at it.

Muzzle to the dirt, it looked as though it was struggling while she tried to get ahold of whatever she felt. It had taken shape before but why was it difficult this time? Cathlinn brought it to her shoulder as she squinted, regretting not grabbing her glasses while keeping it pointed at the ground. "What is that," Fidor blinked and she looked up at him and shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. Just get from in front of me," she snapped. She was starting to get irritated as the queen had eyes on her. She could see the queen's fingers moving as if to count and she grit her teeth. "What a fucking joke," she growled. Fidor has moved, as did everyone else in front of her and she pulled the muzzle up.

She could feel the whip hitting her back as she remembered the punishment. She could hear it, could smell the copper that came from her opening back as it itched from the memory. Her chest was squeezing, her breath getting heavier. "Will you knock that shit off," Cathlinn barked at the queen. The fingers stopped and the queens eyes widened, as did everyone else's.

"Your highness," Fidor held his hand up. It was grabbed and pushed down, Istvan giving the other man a look.

"Quit fucking calling me that," Cathlinn snapped. She aimed at one of the pillars and pulled the trigger, the kick back making her take a breath. The pillar was practically blown through, the rubble falling after the round had hit it. She shot again, her hands shaking as she lowered to reload. She stopped and shook her head, trying to rid herself of the irritation as she fired at the pillar multiple times.

"That's enough," the queen stood up and walked over, reaching to grab the muzzle of the rifle. "What sort of abomination is this, Monique?"

"Let go of it you old hag," Cathlinn snarled. Her jaw was grabbed and she began to shake as her chest was squeezed tighter. Was this PTSD? Over getting whipped?

"Manners," the queen scolded.

"Fuck manners. Let go of the gun," Cathlinn ordered. She twisted it in a 'c', the muzzle sliding from the queen's hand as she stepped back.

"Monique," the queen warned. "There are guests here."

"Yeah, so go suck a dick," the weapon vanished and she rubbed her face before turning and walking.

"Again," the queen barked. Cathlinn was on her knees with her back to her and the man the queen came with. There was no audience this time and while Cathlinn could have argued it, the look in the queen's eyes made her anxiety shut her up.

"Your majesty, the punishment-"

"Isn't over," the queen stated. There was a silent moment before the whip came down again and Cathlinn grit her teeth as a yell tried to rip through her. Her vision was spotty as the whip made a thud on the floor and she turned around, squinting as someone held the man's arm.

"The law was appealed this morning, Asha," the king snapped. The queen's face paled and she took a step back. "I explicitly asked you to inform Monique about it."

"I didn't hear you say it was," the queen mocked an innocent voice, her hand flying to her mouth as shock filled her face. "I was just-"

"Get the physician and Monique's maid," he ordered. She watched him as he approached Cathlinn, kneeling and helping her to stand silently. The queen stormed out, the servant close behind her as Cathlinn was sat in a chair. "You must speak up about these things, Cathlinn."

"You appealed it," Cathlinn looked up at him. His stoic face looked warn and his eyes fired as he nodded slowly. Cathlinn grinned and let out a chuckle, wincing and letting out a choked sound from the pain. "Then the schools can be built and everything can be set in place." She rubbed her face and the king sat down next to her.

"You do not deserve this treatment," he said after a while. She shook her head and sighed, closing her eyes.

"Who knows. Maybe I fucked up somewhere in my old life or a past life," she had little humor in her as she let out a dry chuckle. She had no reason to speak up like she was in her mind.

"When did you get the artwork done," the king asked.

Cathlinn stared and shook her head a bit, "First few days of the little trip I took. I never thought I'd have a tiger though. I stared myself more on the shifty side of things, you know?"

He stared and chuckled lightly before stopping and looking past her, "You seem to have many friends now."

"Your majesty, what's the meaning of this," A voice snapped. Footsteps where red the room behind Cathlinn and they stopped just behind her.

"Broke a law that's not a law anymore," Cathlinn tried to turn, stopping as something cold flowed over her back. There was a slight electricity to it and Cathlinn frowned a bit at the light touches.

"So it was true that magic was illegal," the magic stopped and Fidor sat in Cathlinn's view.

"I can stop sending the magically adept to you, Fidor," the king nodded slowly. "I may just end up asking you for teachers if you'd spare any."

"Anything," Fidor nodded. He eyed Cathlinn for a moment and both men jumped as the hawk flew through the terrace.

"What is-"

"Can someone get the letter and give it to me," Cathlinn asked as she opened her eyes to them. The king reached cautiously for the bird, only to get screeched at. Cathlinn grit her teeth as she moved a bit and grabbed the bird's leg. "Little shit."

"Who's is that," Fidor asked.

"Istvan's," she pulled the letter off, gritting her teeth and placing her head on the table as she tried to ease back nausea. "He sends letters."

"Then shall I start sending them as well," Fidor gave a small chuckled and Cathlinn sighed as her eyes closed from the weight of her eye lids.