-LILIAN-
Later that afternoon, after a long, hot bath that eased some of my aches, I found a small, unmarked scroll on my table. I opened it. It was Alexander's familiar, sharp handwriting.
*My study. Dusk.*
No polite words, no pleasantries. Just a command. My heart tightened. What now? More talk of our "bond"? More commands for training?
As dusk approached, I walked to his study again. This time, I didn't feel as much fear, but a strange mix of tiredness and… something else. Curiosity.
He was at his desk, looking through papers. When I entered, he looked up, his golden eyes sweeping over me.
"You look tired," he stated, his voice flat.
"I am," I admitted. "Training with your warriors is… intense."
"It is meant to be," he replied. "You showed promise today. You pushed through the
