Chapter 165

The woods looked darker than the last time we were here. So did the path we followed as we headed for Aelius’ cave—or the caves of Bloodstone Haven.

Days had passed, and after surviving a week of Commandor Jorn’s training, it was now time to survive Aelius’s.

And in a few days, I would have to survive Lyperia.

As promised, Kylan had joined me. He walked a few steps ahead of me, and even that wasn’t enough to save me from myself.

“Ow!” I yelped, almost tripping over a fallen branch. Luckily, I had managed to catch myself just in time before I hit the ground. Nothing new for me.

Kylan looked over his shoulder, chuckling. “Do you need a break?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Or do you need another piggyback—”

“No, I’m good!” I said, waving him off. He was having way too much fun with this.

A laugh escaped his lips. Frustrated, I quickened my pace and bumped against his shoulder to push him aside. Then I took the lead at the front.

“I