tyard. The air buzzed with excitement-tonight was the annual warrior trials, a tr

de Kieran, watching him lead the

gh, despite the murm

t belong he

she even

have chosen som

But tonight, the weight of their

side, arms crossed.

orcing a steady brea

, then gave a slow nod. "Th

said th

he front, towering and powerful. His presence still

tention. "Tonight, we test strength, discipline,

agreement rippled

nued, a smirk curling at his l

ing in his tone sent a ri

in pairs, one after another,

ran turn

les

ll over t

gid as every gaze

eadable. "You've trained fo

n't a

a cha

tr

She could refuse-but that w

owly, "You don't

she

stepped

pened. "Good." He

s stomac

olling her shoulders with an eas

d through Cel

tested. She was

favorite. She had train

barely trained

ted a hand

st-fast, precise,

to dodge before a stri

but staye

t she gritted her teeth.

ing hit to Lillian's shoulde

urled her lips. "

respond. She

asn't fas

beneath her, knockin

t stole h

rmur rippled th

herself up, h

't let thi

lu

nd struck again, slam

s instant a

ping, visio

voice just loud enough f

sn't want a

s blood

d, turning to Kiera

gaze met

econd, she swore s

th

N

ord shattere

an gr

Lillian's foot connected with her ribs

rupted fro

ed, blood fil

helpe

defen

ven K

st wa

eleste realized-this

him to see her. Too long holding on

t his mat

nothin

at was th

d rise as som

y, she pushed he

eady begun to tur

rked as she

ly spared h

sn't looking a

one looki

rom the courtyard-each st

ime, she wasn't wal

walkin