Don’t stop, Kail.
He raised a brow.Don’t stop, what?
Lecturing me. I fuss, but I do love to learn from you.
His hand settled at her waist. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.I know, starlight. You do enjoy it when I praise you.
The tips of her ears caught fire, but she didn’t deny it.
Beyond, Zarrek and Lu’ma continued their drills. Relentless, not taking a single break. Auryn watched her friend with fascination. Lu’ma was incredible, to say the least. Over the last year, the limp in her leg ceased to be any kind of hindrance in combat. She was powerful, competent—not just physically, but magically. Zarrek had taught her how to cast like a battlemage, summoning wards mid strike and weaving complex webs even in the direst of situations.
Their blades clashed in another fierce song. Lu’ma jumped into the air, attempting a complex twist and strike. But Zarrek disarmed her with a twist of his wrist, sending her blade skittering across the stone.
Lu’ma didn’t protest.
She simply retrieved it and resumed her stance.
Auryn turned back to Kailorien, her heart racing.
“Our turn.”
His brow lifted.
“You wish to spar properly?”
She smiled.
“I wish to win.”
Kailorien stepped back, his expression hardening.
Don’t hold back this time.
Auryn didn’t wait.
She Veilstepped without hesitation, and the courtyard blurred into streaks of silver light.
With a sound like cracking thunder, she emerged behind him…
And cursed when his hand closed around her wrist.
The world snapped back into place.
Auryn stared up at him.
“How—”
“You linger too long in the Veil.”
Hisgrip loosened.
She tried to jerk her arm free, scowling. But he held it.
“I lingered for half a breath.”
“That is long enough.”
Auryn blew a loose strand of hair out of her face. Tried to Veilstep again. But his runes flared, interfering with the magic. Grounding her.
