Estella’s POV
I lost track of days in the weeks that followed, drowning myself in every lesson Professor Incera threw at me. She was nothing like Dane. Where Dane’s corrections had been sharp but patient, Incera’s were merciless and demanding. She snapped at every misstep, forcing me to repeat drills until my muscles screamed and my lungs felt like they were filled with liquid fire.
I never protested. I wanted to grow stronger, go prove everyone wrong, so I refused to give in to my exhaustion. I devoured her lessons without hesitation, clinging to the knowledge that Dane had been through it all and survived.
If he could do it, I could do it too… or so I kept telling myself.
My fear that she’d drag her feet, so that I lost our deal, proved unfounded. The techniques Dane had left me wi
