The impact of Hawk’s statement wasn’t lost on me. It implied that training and leading the Mages was awful.
“Why is it so dreadful?”
“Because when I fail. One dies.”
I stared at him, jaw agape. My blue eyes blinking widely. I’d never considered what it must be like for Hawk to train us. Only how insufferable he was to endure the instruction of.
“Come.” He caught my shoulder to turn me. “It’s time we return to the Training Gardens.”
It was the last thing I wanted to do.
No, that’s inaccurate. I don’t want to be alone with Hawk again.
The only thing worse than enduring his cruelty was experiencing his vulnerability.
***
I heard Magus giving bold instructions even before we rounded the last turn, and they came into view.
Mages were back to practicing casting ar
