Page 41 of A Sunwoven Ascent

“I can do it,” Cillian said, lifting his head.

“I am not questioning your resolve,” Kaldrek replied. “I am questioning the risk. You are not ready.”

“I will learn control. I only lost focus for a moment.”

“No,” Kaldrek said firmly. “I will not allow you to destroy yourself.”

“Bring Alaric here tonight,” Selene said, her voice cutting through the tension with quiet authority. “Cillian will remain with me today. We will work in intervals, and I will assess his condition before any new attempt is made.”

Cillian nodded at once. “I will stay. Thank you.”

Tension worked through Kaldrek’s face as he considered. “If he is too weak, he will not touch Alaric.”

“You have my word,” Selene said evenly. “I will be honest with you.”

No more was said. Kaldrek departed, leaving Cillian alone across the table from the witch, candlelight flickering around them.

Chapter 20

The training grounds rang with the low thunder of bodies in motion. Boots struck packed earth, claws scraped stone, and the loud thud of impact echoed through the clearing as Ravena’s pack worked through drills beneath the open sky. Morning mist still clung to the edges of the forest, the air cool enough to sting the lungs, but not enough to temper the heat building among the wolves as they sparred.

Evelyne wiped sweat from her brow with the back of her wrist and adjusted her stance just as Heidara lunged. She barely managed to deflect the strike, steel ringing against steel as Heidara twisted with quick feral grace. There was a recklessness to her today that hadn’t been there before. Every blow carried more than training intent. It carried fury.

“You’re distracted,” Heidara muttered as Evelyne recovered, circling.

“I could say the same of you,” Evelyne teased, even as she braced for the next attack. “Though you usually hide it better.”

Heidara’s features drew tight. “I’m still angry with my brother,” she said, striking again. “Furious, actually. I don’t know whether to scream at him or shake him until sense rattles loose.”

Evelyne parried, then stepped back. “And yet?”

“And yet,” Heidara admitted, breath quick, “I am beginning to understand why he lied.” Her eyes flicked briefly toward the far edge of the clearing, where Alaric was conspicuously absent. “Understanding does not mean forgiving.”

“No,” Evelyne agreed softly. “It rarely does.”

They moved again.

Across the clearing, a few more of Ravena’s pack had joined the session, including Beau. Evelyne noticed him immediately, if only because he made certain everyone did. He stood tall, broad-shouldered, his expression infuriatingly self-satisfied as his gaze lingered far too long on Heidara. He hadn’t stopped watching her since he arrived. Not when she struck. Not when she moved. Not even when she very pointedly refused to look his way.

“He’s staring again,” Evelyne murmured.

“I know,” Heidara snapped. “If he stares any harder, I may bite him.”

“That would be unfortunate,” Evelyne said dryly. “For him.”

Beau sauntered closer at last, clearly emboldened by the noise and motion of training. “You’re sloppy today,” he called. “Letting your temper guide your strikes.”

Heidara turned on him, eyes flaring. “Care to step in and demonstrate perfection, Beau?”

That frustratingly handsome smile curved his mouth. He was the sort of man who knew precisely how he looked and wielded it like a weapon. “I would, actually.” He glanced at Evelyne. “If you don’t mind.”

Evelyne looked to Heidara, who seemed more than capable of handling herself, and stepped back. “Good luck,” she said lightly.

Beau laughed. “You have so little faith in your friend?”

“Oh,” Evelyne replied, her eyes flashing back to Heidara’s wicked grin, “I wasn’t speaking to her.”

Heidara and Beau squared off while Kaldrek continued demonstrating techniques to the rest of the pack, wolves paired and rotating through drills. For once, Evelyne’s attention was not on the alpha.