"The hallway felt heavier after that duel."

The training hall door slammed shut behind me with a thunderous crash that echoed through the stone corridor like the tolling of funeral bells. The heavy oak trembled on its iron hinges, and I heard the muffled sound of Gideon's boots against sand as he finally pulled himself to his feet.

My chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, the cool night air burning in my lungs, but my spine stayed rigid as castle walls. I wouldn't let anyone see how badly my ...