DEREK’S POV
The moment I heard that Maya had challenged Eliza, a feeling of anger burned through me, hotter than any battlefield fire I'd ever faced.
How could she do that? It was madness. A fool’s errand. No, worse—a death wish.
I barely took the time to think before I stormed out of my tent in search of her. The camp was filled with soldiers preparing for the duel. It was all everyone was talking about.
I found her in the clearing behind the training grounds, rolling her shoulders, stretching her arms.
She was already preparing. She knew I’d come.
"Maya!" I called. My voice was harsher than I wanted it to be.
She didn’t flinch, didn’t even pause in her movements. That only irritated me more.
"Derek." She acknowledged me, finally turning. I could see the mischief
