Tavin waited in the town square just before dawn. No one else was around. He hoped he was going to train with Chalea again; he was ashamed to even show his face in front of Valina. He would have to play it off somehow, but he had no idea exactly how. Tavin thought she was smart, beautiful, and strong, and his breath still caught when he saw her.

But as the day had gone on yesterday, and Aleanna kept him rapt in conversation, the more awkward he felt going to check on Valina. And before ...