The next day, Henrietta didn't ask for Gideon. The realization surprised even her.
She stood alone in the small training yard tucked behind the eastern wing. There were stone walls enclosing the spaces just enough to keep wandering eyes out. The ground was packed, scarred by old claw marks and sparring lines she recognized from Gideon's drills.
But he wasn't here.
Rowan lingered near the archway instead, arms folded, expression wary. "We can wait," she offered. "If you'd rather—"
"No," Henrietta said quickly. Too quickly. She clenched her hands at her sides before her fingers could curl into fists. "I want to try."
Rowan studied her for a long moment. "Without him?"
Henrietta lifted her chin. "Yes."
She had made a decision that she wanted to control on her wolf first by training al
