Caleb was the only one who didn't treat me like a mistake.

The echo of Darius's words still lingered in Elara's mind as she made her way to the Academy's grand cafeteria the next day, his voice replaying on an endless loop that made her teeth clench with frustration. Not as weak as I thought. As if his opinion had the right to matter. As if his begrudging acknowledgment of her strength could somehow erase the humiliation of his public rejection.

She shook off the lingering heat that ...