The private sparring arena in the castle sub-level was carved directly from the solid granite of the mountain foundation.
Iron braziers burned along the rough stone walls, casting long, flickering shadows across the sand pit. The heavy oak doors were barred from the inside, guarded only by Caleb to ensure no council spies could observe the training.
Elena stood in the center of the ring, dressed in sleeveless leather training tunics and wrapped linen boots.
Her breath came in slow, measured draws as she centered her weight. Her dark hair was tied high, exposing the sharp, determined line of her neck and the faint silver pulse tracing along her collarbone.
Ten paces away, Max dropped two heavy wooden training broadswords onto the sand with a hollow clatter.
"No weapons," Max said, unbu
