Still holding my position, I hesitantly glanced beside me, and had my worst fears affirmed—everyone had stopped their own sparring, and was looking at me, a little open-mouthed. Except for Evander. He was smiling at me in a way which caused something in my chest, and my stomach, to flutter around.

I’d been training by myself at the villa all week. Blade hadn’t bothered to show up once since he had walked out of the Keep that night, leaving me behind. I hadn’t entered the training room ...