THE BOND IS

VALEN

like a fresh wound that wouldn't scab over, yet I reminded myself that every trial was an opportunity. I slid a hand beneath my blaze

te tablet with my signature scrawled across the bottom of the "Probation Acknowledgement" form. Officially, I was now unde

uills, behind a high counter, an elderly clerk peered at me over half-moon spectacles, his

nked, the name felt foreign, a mask I'd chosen and never quite worn. Only once, when I'd in

my throa

te on the counter. "Sign

il's seal, the letters rippled across the tablet: A

to a folder. "Your probationary file is com

iel" was what it took to move forward, then that was the name

but a place where Ava Riel existed alongside Aria Valen. I squared my shoulders and resumed my walk toward Combat Hall. Today was my second demonstr

of students huddled beneath it. I slowed, curious, scrawled in bold

er

ena

- Pair: Za

ne F

forced a steady breath. "A v a," I whispered un

lias stood there, slate tablet in hand, h

eased softly. "Ev

t it out," I murmured, but my lips t

t the roster. "He's good with bindi

ng down the urge to scold him

f anyone calls you Ava today, just p

s advice was sound

he flow of students. I exhaled

ll and lean, with dark hair that framed a sharply angled face, his presence carrie

nced it crisply, as though savoring the

," I corrected, glancing

He stepped forward and extended

warmth of his skin instead of the awkward

pied the far wall. We took our places, the drill, and intercept a charging opponent using collaborativ

cle of silver light on the floor, his momentum carried him into the barrier, he stumbled, then tightened his runes to vault off

onicity between two strangers. Then Master Thorn nodde

ane's surprised nod. "Good work," I s

half-smile.

heir runs, I tucked the slate into my belt and let my breath settle

uary. I found Elias waiting beside the candlelit

tening at the sight of

. "It's... easie

Good, soon you'll hear it so often you

l never forget Aria Valen. I just need a name that

htfully. "Ava R

features in gold and shadow, and I felt the steady pulse of hi

air from his forehead. "I'd

Ava Riel had taken her first step into t

ed the torches in the corridor beyond, casting dancing shadows on the st

r "Ava Riel" like a second skin, until the moment was rig

, the bond was not broken, neither between me and my power