Lucas’s POV
The training ground was empty except for the two of us. No curious warriors, no brothers watching over her shoulder, it was just me and her.
Good. That was how I liked it.
Ava stood in the center, her hair tied back, her eyes burning even though sweat already clung to her skin. She looked tired, probably sore but she didn’t complain. She hadn’t once since we started this little arrangement.
That stubbornness… it did something to me.
“Ready to fall again?” I asked, stretching my shoulders as I circled her.
Her lips pressed tight. “Not today.”
I grinned. “We’ll see.”
Before she could breathe, I lunged. My hand shot out to grab her arm but she twisted fast, ducking under and rolling away. Not bad. Yesterday, she would’ve stumbled and eaten dirt.
She came back up in a crou
