Stir the coals

She breathed through a huff as he mentioned she could benefit from this practice. She didn't want to disbelieve him, but there was a nagging pushback within her. A self-defeating obstacle making it all too hard. She knew her rise from slavery would still have a cost to it. Everything she did seemed to cost so much.

A gift or reward worthy of her? She covered another indignant huff, she was frustrated, a little at him, but also herself.

She perked her ears though at his instructions. Was that all? Do this focusing on the waves thing for only two minutes, three times a day? She looked at him, searching his face for a catch. That seemed too easy. Her challenge then would be to not overdo it.

"That seems --" Nope, don't give him the ammo to make it harder, maybe it would prove to be difficult when she tried it. "I'll try." At least he was open about the tests, there would be no guessing about whether something was part of a test or not.

"All right, fine. Learn the skills, and pass the tests." A gleam entered her eye, if he was going to subject her to these tests to prove her worthy, he could suffer the consequences of putting her through this torment right along with her. "Until then, separate beds. Until I can make you work for it yourself." She dared him with a flash of narrowed eyes. She finally had something she could hold over him now. Something he always wanted. Until she was strong enough to truly fend him off from it.