First message
The lecture from the Master-at-Arms was a dull buzz in my ear. Control, my lord. Your temper. My knuckles were split, sticky, but the other boy’s smirk was finally gone, replaced by a satisfying mess of blood and shock. It was boring, really. Just another idiot who thought my mother’s hair meant I was soft. The door to the training yard creaked open, and the air changed. I knew it was her before I turned—a shift in the light, a quieting of the world. She stood there, a vision of white and silver against the grimy stone, her eyes going straight to my hands. Not to the boy I’d pummeled. To me. The cold knot in my chest loosened, just a fraction. "Saul," she said, her voice a quiet bell in the silence. I walked to her, the intimidating heir shrinking into a boy, my head dipping. "He said something about you," I muttered, my voice rough. Her cool fingers gently took my wrist, turning my hand over to see the damage. A sigh escaped her, not of anger, but of a deep, familiar sorrow. "Oh, my fierce heart. Was it worth the price?" I didn't look up. "Yes. It’s always worth it."