LOGINIvara's POVThe shock on Xlynor’s face was clear for a split second, but it did nothing to wipe away that infuriating smirk.“Goddamnit, McKenna.” He touched his jaw, more out of reflex than pain. “Are you out of your mind? I said you could hit me—I didn't mean it literally, and I didn't think you'd go for it either.”I looked at him, then at my stinging palm. Why did it have to hurt every time I hit him?And then I glanced at him again. Why the hell was that stupid smirk still there? Was the hit not hard enough? Didn't I put enough force into it? Why wasn't he mad? That was not the reaction I wanted at all. I'd been holding that hit in reserve for hours, and it hadn't even made a dent?I rose onto my tiptoes — which did not close as much of the height gap as I needed it to — and looked up at his face from as close as I could manage. “What? You want to go run your mouth now? You said you'd take the hit. Don't tell me you're reconsidering.”He poked me in the center of my forehead, har
Ivara's POVZane stopped and turned to Xlynor. “In the car? I told you she was in the car?”Xlynor glanced at the door, then back at Zane. “Which car? You didn’t specify which.”I sat there, completely confused. Why did it matter which one? And what exactly did he need me for?Zane's brow creased. He looked equally confused. “She's in my car. I was just about to drop her and Nyx home.”Xlynor didn't pause for even a second as his fingers curled around the handle, and he pulled the door open. His eyes locked on me and I gave him the most unimpressed look I could manage.“Get out.”I blinked. “What? Me?”He didn't repeat himself. Just gestured with two fingers, the universal “come here” gesture, and turned to Zane. “You didn't mention you were taking her home.”“I assumed you were headed to the meeting,” Zane said. “I figured I'd drop them and come over, after.”“I don't care what you assumed, ask me before you decide. She's not going home yet. She's coming with me,” Xlynor snapped.“Bu
Ivara's POVZane pulled me away before my thoughts could even process fully. One moment I was standing there, and the next he had me by the arm in a firm grip, literally dragging me out of the arena.As soon as the doors closed behind us, he let out a long, exasperated breath and turned to look at me with an expression of genuine concern. “What was that?”“What was what?” I mumbled.He shook his head. “You’ve got such a temper and a sharp mouth, and you don’t even know when to tame it or use it responsibly. How could you be so disrespectful?” he groaned.“What do you mean? I was literally on my best behavior.” I rolled my eyes.“Oh come on. The confrontation, the evidence, and everything else was remarkable. Impressive even. But the insults… Ivy, no!”“But they started it first,” I shot back.Zane paused, stared at me, then facepalmed.“What? Am I going to go in a cell? What’s my punishment?” I mumbled with uncertainty.“There’s no punishment, and you’re not going in a cell either.” H
Ivara's POVI stepped away from Nathan, my gaze still holding his. I'd barely turned when he spoke again.“You're not going to ruin everything and think you're just going to leave?”I wasn't going to indulge him anymore, so I just ignored him, but I didn't expect the hard shove that came next.The shove hit me between the shoulder blades hard enough that I stumbled forward, one hand flying out to keep my balance. My heel caught the floor wrong and for a second the room tilted. I'd barely avoided falling.The irritation and anger I’d been bottling up for hours erupted all at once.One second I was trying to steady myself, and the next my body moved on pure instinct. I spun around, my leg whipping upward in a fluid arc I didn’t even know I was capable of.The heel of my boot connected with his jaw with a sickening crack that echoed through the entire arena.Nathan’s head whipped violently to the side. His jaw twisted at a grotesque angle, and something white flew from his mouth, skippin
Ivara's POVI turned and stared straight at Xlynor through the glass. He was still sitting but was looking right back at me—calm, nonchalant, like none of this mattered.Everyone behind the glass seemed perfectly composed, as if none of this mattered to them. Down here, though, every single person was staring at me expectantly, most of them expected me to kneel. I could see it in their eyes and posture.I scoffed, stepped forward, and stopped right in front of Eros.Eros, to his credit, recalibrated quickly. “You don't have to kneel. Just apologize.”I didn't spare him a glance. I scoffed again, reached sideways and snatched a file off the nearest trainer's desk — not mine, because I wasn't giving anyone the satisfaction of watching me pick up the thing I'd shoved away — and flipped it open.“I think there’s this other option which I prefer, Delta Eros.” I finally looked at Eros, my face blank. “And if you’ll excuse me, Your Lordship— if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to actually see one
Ivara's POVI bit my bottom lip, trying not to meet any of their gazes.Eros stepped forward and said very calmly. “If I was certain, you were pointing at Nathan, right?”I looked up and whispered. “Who is Nathan?”Eros moved in front of the recruit I’d accused. “This is Nathan. You called him a cheater just now.”I scoffed inwardly. That darned heightened hearing.I shrugged. “Yes, I did.”Eros almost smiled. “Nathan placed in the top three today, Ivara. He was watched closely before we made our decision. Calling him a cheater in front of the room is — it's a strong claim.”I scrunched my nose up. Claim? He was a sly cheater.“I'm not accusing him falsely or trying to be disrespectful. You can ask him, he knows exactly what I'm talking about.” I pointed at Nathan.I expected him to admit it and walk away like the recruit Nyx had called out, but the stupid Nathan met my eyes boldly and spoke, jaws tight.“I don’t want to be rude, but I worked hard for this spot. You’re undermining my
Ivara's POVI wasn't looking ahead as my gaze was fixed on Elodie—when I ran straight into a wall.No. Not a wall, a man.“Ah—”The impact jolted me backward, and my breath hitched in my throat. Strong hands caught my arms before I could go further.And for one terrifying second, my heart stopped.
Ivara’s POVI stood near the polished wall, my heart fluttering like a trapped bird as I layered my scent with different perfumes, over and over again.Yeah, I decided to trust Elodie. She seemed genuine. Besides, did I have any other choice? I had already left the castle.I watched as the other da
Ivara's POVThe carriage wheels rattled softly over the cobbled path, the sound oddly soothing against the chaos still spinning in my chest.Elodie said no cars were allowed during the festival week—it was a traditional celebration, and everything was rooted in the old ways.I clutched the edge of
Ivara's POVMy heart hammered against my ribs like it wanted to punch its way out.Xlynor had really locked me in. He’d caged me like some fragile bird he could keep for himself.I spun away from the glass, and crossed to the door. “Open!” I snapped, dragging the card across the sensor for what fel







