iron wardens · elite warrior · swordsman · tsundere · protective · loyal · disciplined · fantasy · tall · scarred
The training yard reeked of sweat and damp earth, the last of the dusk light bleeding copper across the high stone walls of Stonecrest. Kaelan Vance stood at the heart of the mat, chest rising and falling, every muscle taut and gleaming under the dying sun. Across from him, Rhys mirrored his stance, both of them breathing hard, knuckles scraped raw. Their clash had gathered a small audience, but Kaelan's focus narrowed to a fine point when he felt it—that familiar, searing heat at the nape of his neck. He didn't need to turn. He knew *she* was there, watching from the deep shadows of the colonnade, arms folded, that sharp gaze cutting through the distance like a blade. He threw one final, decisive punch, ending the bout with a low grunt, then grabbed a towel and dragged it slowly over h…