Fae training started at dawn the next morning which was approximately six hours after I'd sworn the fealty oath, and apparently rest wasn't a concept the Seelie Court understood because Eirlys was waiting in the training yard when I stumbled out still half-asleep.
"Hybrid Queen." Their voice carried command weight that made the oath bindings flare. "We begin."
We begin. Right. No good morning, no warm-up, just immediate brutal training.
"What exactly—" I started but Eirlys cut me off with a gesture.
"Freeze time. Hold it for five minutes."
Five minutes. I'd barely managed thirty seconds before my nose started bleeding and they wanted five minutes?
"I can't—" The words stuck in my throat because the oath wouldn't let me refuse a direct command.
Oh. Oh no.
I tried again. "That will kill me."
"Then do not die." Eirlys's smile was sharp. "The Root will not care about your limitations. Neither do we. Freeze time. Now."
