ALEXANDER
The clang of fists meeting forearms, the muted thud of feet shifting on packed earth, and the occasional breathless laugh carried across the yard before I even rounded the corner.
I’d been expecting to find Faye somewhere in the eastern wing, but I wasn’t expecting this.
There she was...sparring with Kyle of all people...moving like she’d been born to fight. She wasn’t just keeping up with him; she was matching his rhythm, predicting his moves, countering with speed that would’ve made half my warriors take a second look. Kyle swept a leg toward her, and she dodged, spinning into a quick jab that caught him in the ribs. He grinned, even as he blocked her follow-up.
They were talking, too...something light, judging from Kyle’s expression. There was an ease between them that I
