Page 91 of The Fifth Heir

“You wore that uniform deliberately.”

“It was in my wardrobe.”

“So were several robes. You didn’t choose one of those.”

He rested the blunt practice sword against one shoulder. Sweat darkened the collar of his sleeveless shirt, and the morning air carried more heat around him than the weak sunlight provided.

I tried not to look at his arms.

The terrace runes turned gold.

Torren glanced toward the carved railing.

“They do that outdoors too.”

“I had hoped they wouldn’t.”

“You were looking at me.”

“I was looking at the sword.”

“It’s in my right hand.”

My gaze had been considerably farther left.

“I was observing your stance.”

The runes shifted toward orange.

His mouth moved at one corner.

I crossed the terrace and held out the note I had brought from the infirmary. “The healer cleared me for light physical activity.”

He took it.

His eyes moved down the page, then returned to the first line and read it again.

“Light activity.”

“I know what it says.”

“No impact to the shoulder. No overhead lifting. No shifting.”

“I don’t shift.”

“Then that rule should be easy to follow.”

He handed back the note and walked toward the weapons rack.

I followed. “You told me I needed to prepare.”

“I told you preparation might keep you alive while the academy determines your status.”

“The review has already lasted two days.”

“The First Trial nearly collapsed.”

“And Malcolm has spent those two days arguing that I caused it.”