Aurora’s POV

The sun dipped low as I left the King’s palace, its light spilling like fire across the mountains. The world felt heavy after what had just happened, his test, his quiet challenge, his words about courage still echoing in my mind.

My arm still ached beneath the sleeve, the scars raw and tight against my skin. The King had noticed them, his eyes lingering, though he’d said nothing. Maybe everyone noticed now. Maybe that was the point.

The dirt road ahead wound through the ...