BRUISES UND

CROW

eroism to taste li

he corridor. The clang of boots followed, urgent, insistent, my heart thudded. I recog

ne steps two at a time. My wolf woke in my veins, a low hum of adrenaline that sharpened my senses, I didn't know exactly what I had walked into, bu

e already thrown open. I pressed my palm

had erupted. In the center of the sand-covered floor stood Aria, fists clenched at her sides, cape of navy blazer swirling ar

ed, "You think you're special, Valen? The Moonblood Princess? You'r

he raised her hand. "No," she said quietly,

fueled strength. Yet I hesitated, I'd promised her space, promised not to int

"We're just testing your reputation,

pped, cloak flaring, and countered with a single precise strike that caught h

ed. "Not bad for a Beta's pe

rm Aria parried and blocked, but the third strike clipped her shoulder, sending a sharp sting thr

ps around me. I drew a breath and focused, calling to the runes on my gauntlets,

tated, and I took the opportunity to close the distance. With one careful strike, I clanged a

udent's arm, and twisted, sending her sprawling. The crack of her shoulder

ook herself free and stood beside me. Her

dy though her lips quivered.

knuckles ached, I clenched and unclenched them, tasting

as about to protest, then closed it. I

The golden-haired girl's cheeks were flushed with anger and emb

ow, every syllable weighe

he flicker of runic light on my gauntlets made them hesitate. They muttered

ed slowly. "You saved me," she sa

od beside her, shoulders barely t

, head tiltin

rtain, haunted by scars she didn't want to show. I realized my heart thudd

"But if you want more sp

fference wavering. Finally, she

ave her a small, crooked s

oment felt fragile, like the hush before d

she said. "I

d placed a hand on her unscarred sho

e thrum of power, a plea not to let her down again, I squee

ment, then met my eyes. "Don't

ed. "I

nlight, felt more important than any prophecy or pow

he scent of pine and damp stone carried us back to the alcove,

d began wiping sand and sweat from her

d handed it to her. "Wrap your shoulder," I

sent warmth up my arm, she bound the cloth aroun

hem," she said quietly. "I'

have to," I rep

aw her swallow hard. "Th

the rag.

y room later," she said unexpectedly

htened. "I'l

ation in my mind, I tucked my gauntlets aside and stretched my legs. The adre

sn't just a duty or promise, It was something more

t, I realized that perhaps this, this slow forging

er they heal, but some bonds only

Aria Valen was