The Courting Games by Missx Freedom (best book club books for discussion .txt) 📖

on us. Lavendar was already asleep and I waited until I could no longer hear any footsteps. I slid out from the covers and wrapped a gown around me, then pulled some moccasin shoes on.

I opened the door and it let out a startlingly loud groan, I paused, glancing back at Lavendar who remained in deep slumber. Then, I took the moment to peek round the corner to check if anyone was close. The hallway was empty. Now was my chance.

I was able to locate the spiraling stairs right at the end of the corridor. I took each step as quietly as I coud, and I was almost at the bottom when I heard a familiar voice. 

Prince Bronn.

"I think she's excellent," he says, I can't see who he's speaking to. "She's beautiful, and different. I don't know what it is about her. But I want her to win."

I wonder who they're speaking about, I think to myself, crouching on the step. Waiting for them to walk away. 

"You know mother and father would be furious if she won," a younger boy says, I was certain it was Prince Bronn's brother. "They don't even consider her a part of the Games."

Prince Bronn sighs. "I couldn't give a damn what they think, they've been so keen on controlling everything I've done all my life. Tradition has done me a favour, this is the one thing I can pick without their input. I want Aldwyn to win." 

I froze. He was talking about me? I couldn't believe it. But why? There were so many considerably stronger participants, why was he so focused on me?"

"Come, we must not talk so loud," I hear the younger boy say and they walk towards what I assume is a living area.

When I thought it was safe, I pad across to the kitchen, remembering Angel's instructions. I could see through a massive doorway to where some stoves and countertops sat. The kitchen was empty, and spotlessly clean. I went straight to the back and found the wooden door in the mist of sheer darkness, and pushed the key in, it clicked open and I was met with a cool breeze. 

"Psst." I turn and see Angel, she's wearing a thick wool coat and silk glove liners "Follow me."

I close the door and hastly catch her pace. "Where are we going?" 

"I'm taking you to the back of the garden, there are large hedges and cypress there, no one will see us." Angel replied. 

"What are we going to do?" I ask.

"Oh, do stop asking so many questions." Angel replied irritantly.

It was dark and hard to properly see, but we make it to a secluded area. "This should be perfect."

Angel has a large book tucked under her arm, she pulls it out and flicks through a few pages. "I want to first understand your abilities," Angel says, taking a seat on a straight marble seat with scroll-carved legs. "Let's see if you have the ability of fire. I need you to place the palm of your hand out, focus on it. Say the words: 'radix ignis', It's latin for 'root of fire.'" 

I place my hand out, looking directly at my palm then say: "Radix ignis."

I stare at my hand for a few moments, but nothing happens. I glance at Angel, who is still intently watching. 

"Again. Envision the fire in your palm." 

I say it again: "Radix ignis." Nothing happens. 

"Okay, lets try water. I want you to say 'radix aquae.'"

I say it. Again, nothing happens.

"Okay, we've tried the least complex abilities, now lets try some more intense levels." Angel says, again, flicking through a couple of crinkled pages. "This ability allows for the creation of objects from your mind, this could be anything, like weapons. You must say: 'mens particularum'. I want you to focus on the ground, think of a brass cup, picture it."

I nod. Taking a deep breath in and focusing on the ground, imagining one of the brass cups used in the palace that we drink from at supper. "Mens particularum." Nothing happens. 

I sigh. "It's hopeless, I'm half-elf, I probably don't even have abilities."

Angel sends me a disgruntled look. "Nonsense, all elves, whether full or half have abilities, whether its one or many. We just have to find yours. Don't give up so easily."

Angel gets up, placing the book on the seat and goes over to a shrub. She uses her boot to stamp on something, then picks it off the ground. She's squished a slug, and liquid oozes from it. I turn away, eyebrows pressing together. 

Angel places the dead slug on the ground by my feet. "Now for the ability to bring things back to life. I want you to say: "Animari." 

I look down at the murdered snail, and think of a normal healthy slug. "Animari." I hope more than anything the slug comes back to life. But again, nothing happens.

"Animari," Angel says and in a flash the slug is moving again. 

I look at her. "That's your ability?" 

"One of them." She says, grabbing the book. "Now, there is one ability I'm curious to see if you have. I don't think there's any point waiting until last. It's worth a try. Of course, its going to be a slim chance considering you are half-elf, afterall. Its a power absorption ability, it will allow you to take on anyone's powers close to you."

My eyebrows raise. This is silly. If I haven't got any powers so far, what would be the point in attempting this?

"You must say: 'absorbere potestatem.'"

"This is ridiculous," I mutter, but I say it, nonetheless. "Absorbere potestatem." I look around, but nothing happens. "See-"

"Shh," Angel says, coming over to me and stamping on the slug again.

I groan. "Is that really necessary-"

"Say it again." Angel says. "Look at the slug and say it, imagine it alive and moving."

I look down at the slug, again, liquid seeps from it. "Absorbere potestatem." I say, and I am shocked to see the slug moving again. 

Angel scoffs, closing the book shut. "Well, Miss Aldwyn, you're certainly special, aren't you." 

Chapter Four - The Power of Absorption

 

We found I possessed the power of absorption. I was shocked. That night, I didn't get much sleep, I had books heaped at the end of the mattress and flicked through each of them. There were many pages on abilities and how to use them, but none on power absorption itself. Having power absorption meant I would need to learn how to use them all.

"What are you reading?" Lavender asks, its now morning and she comes out of the bathroom in a towel with an array of thick steam following her.

"Books on abilities. If we're going to be learning how to use them, I thought I'd read into it," I reply.

Lavender nods. "Good idea."

"Do you know what your ability is?" I ask.

"I can summon an ally to fight for me and I can also teleport," Lavender explains, clipping in a purple flower hair-clip to stop her fringe from falling across her face. "But my parents forbid us to use them anywhere outside of school."

"I only figured mine out yesterday."

Lavender looks at me through a mirror. "You have an ability?"

I nod. "Power absorption."

Lavendar stops picking at her already perfectly neat hair. Attention directly on me now. "Seriously? You have the power of absorption? I've heard its a rare ability to have even for a..."

"A full elf," I finish, and Lavendar looks embarassed. "Yeah, I guess I got lucky."

"That's pretty amazing."

After we get dressed, we head downstairs to the dining hall for breakfast. The table is stocked with different food today: Pumpkin bread rings topped with chopped walnuts, quiche, baked french toast with freshly-picked strawberries and oatmeal scones. My mouth watered, the food served here was rather different to home, where we would often eat fresh bread from the bakers with butter and jam.

"Take a seat," one of the servants said to us and our plates are quicky stockpiled with food, and drinks filled with ice and apple juice.

Prince Bronns' chair is empty. I see the King whispering to one of the servants who nods her head obediently as she listens to him. She then quickly scurries off to, I assume, search for Prince Bronn.

"What's up with Rina today," Lavendar whispered, sending a look across the table.

I looked over, Rina's face is pinched. She tuts and said: "I don't like scones with butter, I said I wanted mine plain, but look," she pointed to the puffed pastry on her plate. "It's filled with mountains of butter!"

"Please forgive me Madam, I'll get you a new one right away." The servant quickly took the scone from her plate.

"Fetch me a new plate too, you've put your greasy hands all over it. Don't you have any manners?" Rina asked, sending her a look of disgust.

"God, she's work," Lavendar muttered, rolling her eyes.

I contemplate over what Rina's power is - I expect it to be powerful. She carries herself as though she's a god.

"Good Morn to you all." Prince Bronn steps in wearing a white tunic and trousers. A black cloak made of cashmere hangs from his shoulders, he looks outstanding. I blush, why would I think such a thing? "I do apologise for being late... I had certain pressing matters to attend to." Prince Bronn sends a look to his father who is too busy chomping on scones to notice. "It's day three of your training, which means we'll be focusing more on your abilities today. This will take a lot of energy out of you, so do eat well."

"I'm sure you'll be interested to know what my power is, Prince Bronn," Rina voiced, she flutters her eyelashes and her face glimmered from excitement.

"Well, I'm excited to see all of your capabilities." Prince Bronn turned and looked towards me, the eyes of the girls follow him and their faces form a scowl. I look down, poking at the flaking quiche on my plate with a fork.

-

We were taken to the grounds after we ate. There were ten wooden stools lined up for us and the trainers assigned each girl a seat. Balin, a trainer, had a book clasped in his hand, it looked like one of the old traditional types that Angel had lent me from the library.

"Today, we are going to focus on your abilities," Balin said as we settle down. "I'm sure you are all aware and capable of using them. But, practice is essential for the Courting Games. There will be an Abilities Event on day two, which means you will be using your powers against one another - it will be demonstrative of your strengths. A true princess is powerful, and strong."

I'm nervous. Although my ability is strong, having only two more days to learn how to use the abilities of my participants was terrifying.

"I'd like each of you to tell us your abilities, Missalder, I'd like you to start," Theodon says.

Missalder is shy, and keeps mostly to herself. She has fluffy black hair and eyes that match; she looks harmless. "Malleability, the ability to alter my appearance into any living form." It's almost hard to hear her with such a soft tone.

"Excellent, a great power." Balin acknowledged.

Ornelia is next. "Voodoo. The ability to control a person for thirty seconds."

Hushed voices creep across the group, Balin settles them quickly. "Impressive, I'm