He could see the determination in her eyes. There was a fire there he didn't expect. He could also see how very close she was to understanding the spell, understanding its needs and demands. Then a look of shock, she had it figured out.
A flicker and the shield formed only to fail almost instantly. Fury sparked in her eyes and the shield came back up, held, one breath, two, three, the fourth breath it failed. He watched her closely, she was thinking it through. She wasn't giving up. There was a stubbornness he didn't expect in her. He felt a surge of pride in his student.
Again the shimmer of the shield appeared, this time it was holding. Several long moments he let her hold it, then he struck at it and broke through it. She responded by bringing it back up and he smiled, twice more he broke it and she restored it.
Each time it took him a bit more effort, but now she was pale and breathless, the eyes getting dazed. "Enough. You are still feeding the core with your body so you cannot hold it for too long nor can you withstand me. But you have done it. Now come let us go back to the encampment."
He moved to offer her his arm and she reluctantly took it, she still didn't trust him too close to her. "Now you have the basic shield, what would happen if you focused ice magic into the shield? Or into the area between you and the shield?"
That distracted Mina and she lost some of the stiffness, "Between? You would chill the area I think. Too much and you would harm yourself. But into the shield? How... the forming? Pour the ice energy into the shield as you form it? Can it become solid?"
He nodded, "Yes it can, a wall of ice between you and an enemy is useful. You can push people away, deflect a blow or arrow." Oh those eyes were alert now, but the skin showed exhaustion, her face was thin, cheeks hollow. "As for the other..." He pushed his shield outward, enough to cover her as well, the coolness was a relief, more the endless attack by the insects ceased. She sagged slightly against him, and he on a whim lifted her into his arms, her eyes held that ever present leeriness. A feral creature too use to cruelty. But she was exhausted enough not to argue and the bubble of cool air welcome.
Camp was a lacking word for the area set up on the shore, a tent of fine mesh covered a large area, his personal tent was as luxurious as his room at home. The servants had laid out a light meal, chilled bits of food to tempt appetites in this steamy heat. He settled down on a pile of cushions still holding Mina, calling for cloths and cool water.
Jenyse came strolling in wearing as little as could be decent and walked over to them with the heavy lidded smirk of amusement. He was pleased as she took over the task of stripping Mina, running the scented cloth over her as he held her in his lap. The cool air and wet skin making those tiny nipples harden, a flush of color touching her cheeks. Lovely, almost innocent looking, so young, so very powerful. He lifted a morsel of melon wrapped with paper thin cured meat to Mina's lips, "Eat. You have used up too much of yourself. You will start taking your meals with me so I can make sure you are eating enough."
Obediently Mina's lips parted and his cock hardened at the sight of her taking the bit of food. She was half laying in his lap, Jenyse having propped her up with more pillows. Her nude body open to his caress, his sight, but he did need to coax her to eat enough to not grow ill.
It would probably be the concubine who slaked his hungers. Damn it she was right, he needed to seduce Mina into loyalty make her come to adore him. There was simply too much power in that delectable body, too much fire he now understood. He wanted her at his side, not become the enemy she would become in time. He ran a hand over her shoulder and down an arm, she was young so it should be easy.
He shifted her to lay nestled in the cushions beside him and pulled Jenyse to him. "My little student has made a fine showing of herself today. After she has a chance to rest I think we will discuss a bit more of the possibilities of what she is learning. But for now, I can shield her and you from this wretched heat, and see how appreciative you can be my concubine."
Jenyse instantly responded by straddling his lap and facing him. She needed to be careful, not frighten the girl nor repulse her from her Lord mentor. She wanted the girl to become more responsive, less frightened she needed to intrigue her, teach her that sex could be very enjoyable. She began slowly writhing, undressing him, teasing him. When he would reach out to touch her she would shy away and then catch his hands and push them away.
Finding one of his sashes she tied his hands behind him. "There my fine Lord. You will rest as well. This is mine to play with." She stroked his cock and kissed the head of it. "I have had nothing to do all morning.. and been thinking such interesting thoughts."
