We walked toward the training arena, the midday sun casting sharp shadows along the stone path. I had already instructed Ishviq to clear the grounds in advance—for her punishment, of course.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I sensed her following behind me, fuming in silence. She wanted answers, no doubt, and I had no intention of giving them just yet. Not because I didn’t trust her, but because I wanted to see her reactions—raw and unrehearsed.