than ever, preparing for the tournament. Every morning before dawn,

just twenty away from breaking through to Earth King level. At his age,

rself," Lydia said one morning, finding h

from his face. "I'm

eat. You're obsessed." Lydia sat beside him.

ecome his closest friend. She was kind, honest, and genuinel

ouldn't.

no one can hurt me again," he said.

ng, Marcus. Stronger than anyone I know.

ing. "Marcus! Grandfather Octavius wants you. Th

for him? He'd been careful to hide hi

dia following behind. His mind raced through pos

as middle-aged with a scar across his left cheek and

, looking concerned. "Marcus, this man

er Marcus, my name is Theodore. I come with

but inside, alarm bells rang. "I don't know what

ng unclear. I meant the couple who raised you in your vi

he needed to know what this man wanted

?" Octavius asked, hi

andfather. I'l

nted to follow, but Marcus shook his head.

us faced Theodore. "Who are you

utious. I work for someone in the imperial court. Someone w

at do y

round that you might be the lost prince of Aurelius Ki

ide, his mind worked quickly. Den

Marcus said calmly. "But I'm j

age ten. You can sense energy levels that trained warriors can't detect. Y

everywhere. I j

the Tiber River. You appeared by a river three years ago at age seven. The prince's name was Marcus. You

rd his sword. "Are you a

distance between them. "I'm not your enemy, boy. In fact, if

pla

not investigators. The only reason I'm here talking instead of a knife app

your e

proof before taking action. Someone powerful en

ing. "Let's say, hypothetically, I was this lost prince. Why would I trust an

opportunists. But not everyone. Some of us remember your father, Alexander. He was a g

d nothing t

re. Anyone who opposed him died." Theodore's voice dropped. "But if the true heir were

long moment. "I need t

h of. Cassian already suspects. It's

ome. I'm not af

er. He's become a fourth-class warrior in ten years, and he ha

ake my

tudents? If Cassian decides you're a threat, he won't just come f

t considered that. Cassian was ru

sn't just about your revenge anymore. The moment you r

you want

your strength. When you do, my employer will make contact.

lp me a

ved with that shame for ten years." He turned to leave, then paused. "One more thing. The golden light that saved you in the river? T

ving Marcus alone w

eone protected him? But who? His

crept into Marcus's certainty. What if

a greedy smile on his face. This information was worth eve

and Marcus didn't ev