We walked in silence until the training grounds were far behind us.
The path along the inner tree line was quieter, shaded, and mostly empty at this hour. I kept a careful distance from Asher, though the fractured bond made the space feel smaller than it was. Every few steps I caught his scent on the breeze — dark spice, power, and something restless underneath.
He finally spoke without looking at me.
“You fought like someone who’s had to win to stay alive.”
“I did,” I answered.
He nodded once, as if that confirmed something he already knew. “Raven trained you well.”
I glanced at him. “You know her name.”
“I made it my business to learn where you had gone once I was certain you were strong enough to survive without me interfering.” His voice was even, but there was an undercurrent o
