Chapter 22

*Elora*

I stepped into the ring, heart pounding, muscles tensed.

Kael stood across from me, rolling his shoulders and stretching like he wasn’t even the least bit concerned. Cocky bastard.

The moment Instructor Valerius gave the signal, he moved. Fast.

I barely dodged his first strike, shifting my weight to the left as his fist cut through the air. He was testing me.

I knew that. I knew him.

Just