[Contains mature talks and stories, so, I'm rating it +18]
Elara's pov
The laughter with Luke and Mai was a much needed distraction, but as the clock ticked toward afternoon, the knot in my stomach returned.
When I reached the lower training ground, Killian was already there. He was wrapping his knuckles, his back to me.
"You're late," he said. He didn't look up.
"I'm exactly on time, Killian."
"Then you're behind. Start with five laps around the perimeter. High knees."
I bit my lip and ran my laps, when I finished, I stood before him, panting and wiping sweat from my eyes. "Killian... I... I'm sorry about yesterday. If I said something... I didn't mean to make you... uncomfortable."
"Stance," he barked, ignoring my apology entirely.
I moved into position, but I was shaking. When he lunged, I was too slow. He swept my legs out, and I hit the dirt hard.
The gravel dug into my palms.
"Again," he said. No hand reached out to help me up.
