Captivating

"Breathe from the pit of your belly, Princess Nerina. Do not breathe like a dying fish," Daegal instructed while he spun a coin between his fingers.

Naomi rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time since they set out on their journey to Rynzonia. Daegal had been trying to teach her the ropes of her magic throughout their flight from Estoria to the outskirts of Lamesh, a small town bordering the towering and sprawling prison of Rynzonia.

It was a day and some hours into their journey on foot and the only thing she had learned how to do was set a portion of the forest around them on fire which Daegal had hastily doused with a quick flick of his fingers and a spell that sounded nonsensical to her.

Afterward, he sent her a glare that almost set her skin ablaze.

"You are not even looking at what I am doing, Prince Daegal," Naomi spat as she tried out his instructions once again.

"I do not need to look at you to see that you are failing woefully," Daegal replied, his face forward.

Naomi's