Lyra's POV
Alaric must have sensed the turmoil churning inside me. His brow furrowed as he studied my face, and I couldn't read whether he was concerned or irritated. "Have you ever experienced this sensation with anyone else?" he asked.
My mouth opened and snapped shut like a fish gasping for air. The words tangled on my tongue. "No," I finally managed, the syllable bursting out so quickly I winced at my own desperation.
His piercing gaze searched my face, clearly trying to determine if I was being truthful. Whatever conclusion he reached, he chose to move forward with our training session. He gestured toward the practice mat and dropped into a defensive position.
"This is the proper stance for combat," he demonstrated, bending his knees slightly while keeping his hands raised near his chest. "It provides the athletic foundation you need to move quickly toward your opponent or retreat when necessary."
