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The first strike came too fast.
Aria ducked as Kael’s arm swung in a wide arc, the weight of his blade hissing just above her head. She stumbled back across the packed dirt of the training yard, her lungs burning, her own weapon shaking in her grip.
“You’re hesitating,” Kael growled, circling her like a predator. His voice wasn’t cruel — but it was sharp enough to cut. “The fire won’t obey hesitation. Neither will I.”
Aria swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on the hilt of the wooden practice sword. Sweat ran down her temple, her chest heaving. “Maybe if you stopped trying to break my neck—”
The second strike forced her back another step. She barely brought her blade up in time to block it. Sparks flared where wood met steel, a reminder that Kael wasn’t pulling his strength, ev
