[Imperial Palace—Training Field]
As I left the training field, my boots crunching over the sun-baked dirt, I dragged my sleeve across my forehead to wipe away the sweat. My arms still ached, and my palms still tingled from the last clash of steel with Ravick.
I had barely stepped into the shaded corridor when a flurry of skirts and hurried footsteps came my way.
"Princess—!" Marella burst into view, breathless, cheeks flushed from running. She stopped just short of me, hands clutching the sides of her gown as if that might keep her from toppling over. "You… you must come quickly!"
I tilted my head, catching my breath from training. "What is it? Did the kitchens run out of honey cakes again?"
Her eyes darted nervously, the humor sailing right past her. "No, Your Highness. His Majesty has summoned you to the royal meeting room. Immediately."
That one word—immediately—had a way of making my pulse pick up. My brow furrowed. "Has something happened?"
