Chapter 201 New Beginnings

• True to his word, Darius dragged me away from academy business for three full days. We went north, to a cabin that had belonged to his family before the council wars. Remote enough that no messengers could find us, close enough that we could return quickly if emergency struck.
• The first day I spent mostly sleeping. Twenty-four straight hours of unconsciousness while my body recovered from weeks of constant stress. Darius kept watch, the bond humming softly between us even in sleep.
• When I finally woke, he had food ready. Nothing fancy, just roasted meat and bread. But it tasted better than any feast.