Elara POV
Training felt different today.
Not lighter.
Stronger.
Each strike of my sword carried intention. Each movement felt deliberate instead of uncertain. The weight I had been carrying since Rhode’s incident had not disappeared, but it no longer pressed down on my shoulders the same way. Kael’s confession in the forest had shifted something inside me. I did not feel fragile anymore. I felt chosen.
And that came with responsibility.
Rowen circled me as I sparred with one of the warriors, correcting my footing, adjusting my grip. When I disarmed my opponent cleanly, I heard a few murmurs from the side. They were no longer whispers of pity. They sounded closer to approval.
That mattered.
When training ended, Kael and Rowen exchanged a look before heading toward the council wing f
