Ella
I had no time for distractions.
Every morning, I woke up before the sun rose, stretching my sore muscles and pushing myself through brutal training sessions. Every night, I collapsed onto my bed, too exhausted to think. It was better that way. The pain in my body was easier to deal with than the storm raging inside me.
I didn’t belong here.
Not really.
And yet, I had no choice but to prove that I did.
“Again.”
I barely had time to react before a wooden staff swung toward my ribs. I twisted at the last second, deflecting the attack with my own staff, but the force of the hit sent a jolt of pain up my arm.
“Sloppy,” Mark muttered, stepping back. He was shirtless, his toned body glistening with sweat from hours of sparring. His silver eyes were sharp, critical. “You
