Forsaken’s POV
Dawn hadn’t broken yet when I took her to the training grounds.
The eastern border attack was 12 hours old. Kael’s fingerprints were all over it. If the exiles hit again, Ridah had to be ready. Not just to hold that light steady. To fight.
She was already waiting at the gates, hair pulled back, wearing the old training leathers I had Marcus dig up. No cloak. No hesitation.
“You’re early,” I said.
“So are you,” she said. “Nervous?”
“No.” I stepped closer. “Focused.”
The bond between us hummed low. She felt it too. Every time we got within 3 feet, it pushed. Like it wanted us to stop pretending we could keep this professional.
“Rule one,” I said. “No holding back. If you pull that light too soft, you die.”
“Rule two,” she said. “If you go easy on me, I
