Darius's POV
I woke before dawn, not from bad dreams—simply out of habit. The castle still slept. I went to the armory first; a bad day begins with an inspection, and a good day does too. We were preparing for the mill—a week until the ceremony, and no room for mistakes.
Cassian was waiting at the training ground with two wooden swords and a thermos of black coffee.
“How much sleep?” he asked.
“Enough.” I took a sword. “Easy session today. Sera’s still healing.”
“‘Easy session’ and ‘Seraphine’ in one sentence?” He rolled his eyes. “Tell the healer to take a vacation while your illusion lasts.”
“We’ll keep it structured, Cass. Two on two, slow tempo. If she pushes it, I’ll call it off.”
Sera approached, taking a sword. “No breakfast?”
“After practice,” Cassian replied. “Otherwise yo
