Finn’s POVThe training ground was too quiet when I arrived.The sun was low, painting the sky in soft gold and red. Most warriors had finished their drills and returned to their duties. The air smelled of sweat, dirt, and steel.Then I saw Sophie.She stood at the center of the training ground, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back, a wooden staff in her hands. Her stance was sharp, and strong.I stopped walking.She hadn’t trained this late in weeks.I leaned against a post, arms crossed, watching her move. She attacked an invisible enemy, spun, blocked, struck again. Her breathing was steady, controlled.She was either angry or worried.I pushed away from the post and stepped onto the sand. “You know,” I called, “if you keep swinging like that, the ground might surrender.”She stopped and turned.Her eyes met mine, and something flickered there, surprise, relief, and something warmer.“Finn,” she said, smiling. “Were you spying on me?”“Observing,” I corrected. “Very important differ
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