Roxellena's POV
The cold morning air bit into my skin like needles before the first c**k even crowed. I had already finished bathing and slipped out to the training ground, fists slamming against the weathered wooden dummy.
For days I had drilled defensive tactics into my body until my muscles screamed. Today, I switched to offensive strikes,sharper, faster, more aggressive.
“Easy, Rox,” Jess called softly from behind me.
I didn’t stop. My knuckles cracked against the wood again.
“Rox, take it easy on yourself!” Jess caught my wrist mid-swing. Her grip was firm but gentle.
I glanced down. Blood trickled from split knuckles, warm against my cold skin. Without hesitation, Jess tore a strip from the hem of her gown and wrapped it tightly around my hand, her fingers steady despite the c
