Frostbound Trials

Elion walked from the Grand Hall to his mother's chamber, his footsteps a soft rhythm on the polished stone floors of the Vossmer estate.

The frost left behind from his sparring match with Kaelissa had long since melted, yet whispers clung to him like shadows, trailing his every step.

"Did you see that sparring match? He went head-to-head with Lady Kaelissa!"

"He's just a child, but he held his ground. Incredible…"

"Who's stronger, I wonder? Lady Kaelissa or the young master?"

"Forget that—what tournament will he even join? Surely not the Phoenix Heart—he's far beyond that."

Elion ignored the murmurs, his expression calm, though his sharp golden eyes flicked briefly toward a group of guards as they quickly straightened under his passing gaze.

He was used to being the center of attention by now, but the talk irritated him nonetheless.

They're always more interested in what I might do than what I'm already doing.