☉DANIKA Sonia did not come the next day either. And I was beginning to get worried. After I left Erika, I had headed straight to my chambers and fallen into a deep dreamless sleep. My bones were aching and I found it difficult to keep track of the events of the day. So when I found the same maid that had come to fetch me for the court ladies again, I paid no heed to her and pushed off, heading straight for the sparring grounds instead. I did not have the time of day to bother about what their little snotty leader or the rest of them would be up to. “You’re only about to be late.” Fergal’s way of greeting. “The sun’s barely up, Fergal,” I countered. He nudged me in the side with a stick, causing me to wheeze and fall to my knees, coughing. “A warrior does not make excuses. You are eithe

