True to his word, Darius dragged me away from academy business for three full days. We went north, to a cabin that had belonged to his family before the council wars. Remote enough that no messengers could find us, close enough that we could return quickly if emergency struck.

The first day I spent mostly sleeping. Twenty-four straight hours of unconsciousness while my body recovered from weeks of constant stress. Darius kept watch, the bond humming softly between us even in sleep.

When I ...