Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Treva escorted me to the chamber that had an altar and four incense burners around it. As usually, she didn't come in.

"I knew you have great potential, but you surprised everyone…", Lumiona said and gestured to me to sit next to the altar. "How about you tell me about your state of mind before you flew above water with a whirlpool following you? The winds followed you into the water, that was impressive."

I skipped the part about Duke, but I told her I had a dream that made me uneasy and I woke up feeling the breeze and without thinking I went into the lake, with an intention to cool off.

"There is no need to contain your power, child.", Lumiona said. "You will not master it unless you embrace it. Think about this incident and the previous one. What was in common?"

I thought about it, and I realized that in both cases, I felt that breathing is difficult. I started playing with that.

In the upcoming days, I focused on my training.

Treva spent a lot of time in my room. She left my side only when it was time to sleep, refusing to share my bed, but she didn't mind sharing food.

I appreciated that Treva gave me privacy for sleeping, because more than once Duke appeared in my dreams, and I feared that I might hug Treva or touch her inappropriately, thinking that it's him. That would be difficult to explain.

Dreams with Duke turned from reliving memories to something different. They would always start in the same way, with complete darkness and the scent of pine trees mixed with the ocean.

It was something I couldn't stop or control, probably because of my weak will to resist cravings for his proximity. And it was amazing. Every second of it.

Duke would hold me and make me feel at home in his embrace, but he would never get handsy, saying that I will get that when I return to London.

As much as I enjoyed it, I was frustrated that we didn't go beyond hugs and sweet words. I mean, what kind of dreams are those? Aren't I the master of my mind? He even refused to kiss me on the lips, but he gave me plenty on the cheeks and forehead.

Gradually, I stopped feeling guilty for indulging in those illusions. Part of me believed that I'm spending nights with him, and I knew that it's crazy, but maybe my future is laced with madness.

Related to my control of air, I was at the stage where I could create small gusts of wind when I wanted, and I was starting to think of the right approach to leave this place.

I had no idea how long I was here, but I guessed that it should be a few weeks and I expected that Aldus will come to look for me soon.

My concern was that they will tell him I'm in some secluded training and to return later. Would he fall for that? Knowing Aldus, probably not. A few times I had dark thoughts that he will abandon me, but I dispelled those, refusing to succumb to the darkness again.

Since the big incident in the lake, Lumiona (aka the oracle) provided me with guidance daily, and Mivian (aka the leader) would show up occasionally to check on my progress.

Other than the chamber with glowing altar and incense, I had training in another room that had a small pond at its center. I would sit in the water and create tiny whirlpools around me. I liked this exercise because it showed me my progress and fine control of the winds. The small pond was perfect because I couldn't make something huge that would wreak havoc.

I didn't have much control of the winds, as whirlpools would sometimes go crazy or disappear unexpectedly, but I was able to start them up at will, and that was a step in the right direction.

I was practicing in the room with a small pond when Mivian made an appearance.

"You are showing amazing growth…", Mivian praised me while observing one small whirlpool in the water in front of me. "What some need weeks or months to master, you can do it within days."

"Thank you.", I responded to her exaggerated compliment while wondering why she is here.

Of course, the moment I spoke, my focus was gone, and the whirlpool dwindled away.

Mivian stopped approaching me when her toes touched the edge of the water. "Do you like your current arrangement?"

"Yes. Everything is great."

"Did you think about your plans for the future?"

I paused unsure where she was going with this. "The future, Archousa?"

The leader of harpies nodded. "Where will you go from here? There is no better training than going on a mission. You can start by exploring this island. I can arrange for you to learn what is needed for the singing ceremony."

My eyes widened. She just offered me to explore the island, and that is a no-no for outsiders. Treva told me that even harpies don't get to leave the belly of their assigned mountain until they fulfill certain conditions.

But my concern was elsewhere. "Singing ceremony? Why would I go through that? I'm not a harpy and I can't connect to a star."

"You are showing great powers and control, that are improving with practice. I believe that your future is unknown. Yes, you are not a harpy, but what if you can connect to a star? Your power will soar.", Mivian said while her white eyes looked at me expectantly.

"Thank you for your kind words, Archousa..."

"Call me Mivian.", she interrupted me.

I forced a smile. The chummier she was with me, the tenser I've got. No one calls her by her name other than the oracle, but it was not polite to refuse. "Mivian. I will think about it."

She was surprised by my words. "What is there to think about? Don't you want power? You can get it here."

I bit my lower lip while thinking about an appropriate response, but then I realized that this is probably the best chance to throw a hint at how I want to leave. "I have a life with my father in the human realm, and I can't abandon that."

She frowned. "You are willing to forsake your current progress?"

I saw that her mood dropped. It was not wise to burn that bridge and I needed to choose my words. "I didn't say I will forsake my training. My ability is a gift from the heavens, and it would be a big mistake not to use it. However, I am expecting my father to come for me soon. I am aware that I still have a lot to learn, and I was thinking of going home and handling my matters while practicing control of the wind on my own, and when I'm ready, to return. If you will have me, of course."

"Of course…", she repeated stiffly and walked out of the chamber.

I released the breath I was holding. Somehow, I had a nagging feeling that leaving this place won't be as easy as packing a few of my belongings and asking Treva to escort me to the portal.

Would Treva show me the way out if Mivian and Lumiona plan to keep me? That was another problem.

Treva was my best bet if things turn for the worst, but I didn't want to get her in danger. Harpies are not kind creatures, and I had no idea what would happen to her if she turns disobedient.

I felt like I'm walking on eggshells and if I break them, I will get in trouble. So far, other than privileged accommodations, I was not exposed to anything extraordinary. But now Mivian offered me to venture outside the mountain and even access to secrets like singing ceremony.

I stood up from the pond I was sitting in and walked out toward my room. I was not in a mood to train. The worry pressed on my mind with urgency to leave this place.

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