Selene woke to the clang of steel. At first, she thought it was a dream, the echo of something distant, but when she opened her eyes, the noise only grew louder. Her chamber was dim, the fire burned low, and beyond the door came the heavy thud of boots against stone.

The door opened.

“Up,” Darius’s voice commanded, deep and merciless.

Selene pushed herself upright, her muscles stiff, her mind still fogged. “It’s barely dawn,” she murmured.

“Strength doesn’t wait for the ...