As panic threatened to overwhelm me, Lucas stepped forward, his expression determined. "What are you thinking?"
"I didn't think they'd want me back at the palace so soon... I mean I just got back. How am I going to be able to keep up with everything?"
"Shana, you'll be just fine. Traveling through the portal will save you a lot of time, and if you need anything I'm here," he assured me. His support grounded me, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this
"But what about school?" I fretted, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me.
Lucas squeezed my hand reassuringly. "You'll be fine, your training will probably only last an hour or two. And I doubt it'll be during school hours." Seeing the uncertainty on my face, Lucas continued, "School's almost over anyway, and
