Kora’s POV
The morning air was cruel. Cold and sharp, like it was trying to slice into my lungs. Dawn hadn’t fully broken yet, but the sky was lightening in faint shades of gray. Mist curled low across the training yard, and the stone under my bare feet sent a shiver through me that had nothing to do with nerves.
Mara stood at the far edge, arms behind her back, eyes fixed on me like a hawk. She wore dark leathers, practical and plain, but she carried herself with the kind of weight that made me feel like I was already failing before we even began.
“You’re late,” she said.
“I’m not,” I replied, though I was still trying to catch my breath from the walk over.
Her lips curved into the faintest smirk. “Then you’re slow. Either way, we’ll fix it.”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but something
