Her defenses were weakening; she was anxious.
What do I do? He thought to himself. I can't just read someone else's thoughts! I should've just stuck with combat magic, like I usually teach.
For a moment, though, her mind cleared. It had emptied--become devoid of any way for Fadran to see anything. What had she just done? It had certainly worked, but... clearing thoughts from someone's head entirely? That level of mental capability should've taken years to develop, not days!
But then they were back. The thoughts were back; he could feel them there. So she hadn't become a master in thirteen seconds. He felt a little relieved, then mentally chided himself for feeling so. Feeling relieved that Queen hadn't grasped a technique that had taken him years of practice to develop? Was he seriously jealous of her? What kind of friend did that?
In any case, though... the thoughts were back, and the mental barriers were as weak as ever. Once again, he was conflicted. Was breaking into her mind worth teaching Queen to protect her thoughts? Was he just making excuses for himself?
It didn't matter, apparently.
He almost physically gasped as Queen's thoughts, feelings, impressions--her mind--flooded over him. An old technique that he, too, had learned in his early days of practicing mental protection: overwhelming whoever it was that was trying to break into your mind to try to distract them. Unfortunately, it had a few drawbacks: anybody who had practiced mental intrusion could very well read these thoughts.
He almost read a few on instinct, but caught himself. What was he thinking?
She's desperate! Fadran told himself. I'm in no place to see anything she wants to hide. I should've called this off minutes ago.
Something brushed by his mind, though... something he had never felt before when trying to read another's thoughts. It was unique to her, and directed towards him; though not intentionally. A strong emotion associated with him had found its way into her conscious without her knowing, as they tended to do. What was it? Respect? Happiness? Security? Without thinking, he looked into it.
Holy crem...
Did Queen like him?
Fadran forced himself out of her mind, putting himself back in the physical world. He breathed heavily, eyes half-wide with shock. They were looking right into Queen's.
"I am so sorry." He whispered.