Something flickers in me. Curiosity. The first clean emotion I’ve felt since waking up.
I set the fork down, fingers still curled lightly around it. “Why are you here?”
The question escapes before I can think better of it. Thane’s expression is unreadable, so I press on.
“I get why Valen is here—he’s a mage, he probably has to teach me things or figure me out, or whatever.” I gesture vaguely, the words tumbling forward before I can stop them. “Butyou?You’re the leader of the realm. You rule overallclans. Don’t you have an army to command? A realm to rule? Shouldn’t you be off doing something important—making political decisions or intimidating your enemies or . . . ”
I trail off, my voice faltering.
“I don’t know.Warlord things.”
The sarcasm bites, but I can’t stop it. Part of me also doesn’t want to know why he’s here—I don’t want to be important.
Thane laughs softly, the sound low and almost amused. “So you know who I am?”
“Everyone knows who the Warlord is,” I snap, too curt, too sharp.
His lips twitch, but he doesn’t challenge the tone. If anything, he seems faintly entertained.
“Good,” he says, leaning back just enough to shift the energy in the room. “That saves us time.” Then, calmly—“And I am where I need to be. Being hereisimportant.”
I narrow my eyes. “What does that mean?”
“It means that since you are the Spiritborn, it’s my duty totrain you—to prepare you for what’s coming. Valen’s not the only one you’ll be learning from.”
My brows knit. “Train me in what, exactly?”
Thane exhales. His eyes never leave mine.
“Valen will teach you to wield Elemental magics—how to control and shape them. I’ll train you in combat. How to use your body, your weapons, and your magics as one.”
Then, quieter—
“You’ll need all of it to survive what’s coming.”
The wordsurviveslams into me like a physical blow.
My stomach twists and my breath catches. It’s not just about learning. It’s not some noble path or heroic journey—it’s about staying alive.
Thane rubs a hand over his face. “Damn it. I didn’t mean to put it like that.” He shifts, jaw tight. “I’ve spent too long in battle. I forget not everyone hears things the way soldiers do.”
My eyes flick toward him, surprised. That crack in his composure—it’s small, but real.
He shifts in his seat, his tone softening.
“Look, training isn’t just about fighting. It’s about control, discipline—learning how to move, how to react. It’s not just about wielding a weapon or channeling your Elemental magics. It’s also about learning how to move, when to strike, and whennotto.”
His voice is measured now, careful, as if he’s trying to bridge the gap between his world and mine. He studies me for a moment before adding, “I can imagine this isn’t the life you imagined. And I won’t pretend it’s easy. But I promise you—I’m not here to break you. I’m here to prepare you.”
I hesitate. The words settle somewhere inside me, not fully embraced, but not wholly rejected either.
“You’ve been in battle?” I ask quietly.
Thane nods, his features are a mask of calm. “I’ve beenfighting for eleven years. Since I was sixteen.”
I blink.Eleven years?
My stomach tightens at the thought. He’s only a few years older than me. And yet . . . he’s lived a whole other life. A harder one. A longer one.
