Lyralei's back hit the packed dirt so hard the air left her lungs in a rush.She lay there staring up at the open sky above the training ground, her spine screaming in protest and her shoulders aching from the impact. Three seconds. It had been less than three fucking seconds since she'd lunged at him and she was already flat on her back like some novice who'd never fought before in her life.What the actual hell?She blinked up at Joefrey standing above her, his pale eyes looking down at her with undisguised disdain. The expression on his face said everything his mouth didn't need to. Pathetic, weak and a waste of his time.She felt something hot surge in her chest. Not embarrassment, though that was definitely there. This was deeper. Envy, pure and simple. He was so strong it made her teeth ache with wanting that kind of power for herself.She pushed herself up on her elbows, then to her feet, and the movement sent fresh protests from her back and shoulders that she ignored completel
Read more