Amanda was changing. Her laughter, once quick and unguarded, had dulled into silence. Her eyes no longer sparked with defiance when Tessa sneered; they only hardened, walls building brick by brick. Instead of completely retreating into the shadows, Amanda trained harder. Cassian had started with simple sparring, teaching her stances and counters, but she pushed him for more. Where once she stumbled and giggled at her clumsiness while training, she now demanded another round, another drill, another bruising strike until her knuckles throbbed red."Again", she panted, fists up, sweat streaking down her temple.Cassian arched a brow, catching her next punch easily in his palm."Amanda, you’ve been at this for two hours. At this rate, you’re going to collapse", he told her, concern etched into his face."I said again", she repeated, her voice sharp enough to slice.For the first time, he didn’t joke back. He just let her punch, his chest tightening with something he couldn’t name.---Sta
Read more