Draven couldn't sleep.The cuts from Daniel's daggers had stopped bleeding, but they still throbbed. Small reminders of the public humiliation.He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, mind drifting back.Back to who he used to be.The estate was quiet. Middle of the night. Nothing but his own thoughts for company.And his thoughts were cruel.He remembered being seven years old. Standing in this same training ground where Daniel had just cut him apart. Holding a wooden sword that felt too heavy. Watching his brothers swing theirs with ease.Garrett had been fifteen then. Already better than most adults. Fire magic came to him like breathing.Marcus was thirteen. Lightning crackling at his fingertips. Natural talent that made instructors shake their heads in disbelief.Thomas was eleven. Moving earth before he could properly read.And Draven? Seven years old with shaking hands and no magic at all."Try again," their father had said. Cold. Disappointed already.Draven had tried. Reached

Draven barely made it back to his room before the shouting started.Voices echoed through the manor. Loud. Angry. Coming from the main hall.He moved toward the sound, still processing his grandfather's memories. Still reeling from the revelation about his father.But whatever was happening downstairs couldn't wait.He reached the balcony overlooking the main hall and stopped.Thomas and Marcus were facing each other in the center of the room. Both in fighting stances. Both furious."Take it back," Thomas growled."Why? It's true." Marcus's lightning crackled at his fingertips. "Your fortress failed. Three hundred soldiers dead because of your engineering.""That collapse wasn't my fault. The foundation—""The foundation was YOUR responsibility." Marcus stepped closer. "You built Ironwall in three days. Everyone praised you. But you cut corners. And men died."Thomas's earth magic surged. The floor trembled. "You know nothing about engineering.""I know dead soldiers. I know families

Draven lay in his room, staring at the ceiling. His body ached from Edmund's lightning strike. The burns on his chest throbbed with every breath. Elena had done what she could with bandages and salve, but some wounds needed time.And pride? Pride needed longer.The gathering continued without him. He could hear it through his window. Music. Laughter. Nobles celebrating while the disappointment nursed his injuries alone.Exactly as expected.A knock at the door."Come in."Elena entered with fresh bandages and a tray of food. She didn't say anything at first. Just set the tray down and started changing his dressings."You should eat," she said finally."Not hungry.""Eat anyway. You'll need strength for tomorrow.""What's tomorrow?"Elena paused. "You haven't heard? The General announced it an hour ago. Main Combat Exhibition. All his sons are required to participate."Draven closed his eyes. Of course. More chances to be humiliated publicly."The General," he repeated. "Father actuall

The main hall buzzed with anticipation.Draven stood in his corner, watching nobles and officers mingle before the exhibition. Garrett's arrival had shifted the energy of the entire gathering. People who'd ignored Draven yesterday now glanced at him with curiosity.The champion had acknowledged the disappointment.That changed things.Not much. But enough.Edmund was furious about it. Draven could see it in the way he moved. Sharp gestures. Forced smiles. He kept looking at Garrett like he wanted to challenge him right there.But he didn't.Because Edmund knew. They all knew. Garrett was on a different level."Interesting, isn't it?"Draven turned. Aldric Vane stood beside him, wine glass in hand. The instructor who'd noticed him holding back against Daniel."What is?""The dynamics." Aldric nodded toward the Ashworth brothers. "Edmund's been the dominant one since he arrived. Thomas defers to him despite being older in household ranking. Daniel stays in his lane. But now Garrett's he

The manor was quiet that evening.Too quiet.Draven walked the halls after dinner, restless. The formal meal had been tense. Father presiding in silence. Garrett eating calmly. Thomas staring at his plate. Daniel watching everyone.And Edmund?Edmund hadn't come.His absence spoke louder than words. The war hero. The lightning captain. Marcus Jr. Humiliated in front of nobles and officers. Defeated with a single touch.He was hiding. Licking his wounds.Draven understood the feeling.But Edmund's pride was different from his. Draven had learned to swallow humiliation. Had lived with it his whole life. Edmund had never tasted it before today.That made him dangerous.Draven found himself near the east wing. Edmund's quarters. He hadn't meant to come here. His feet had just carried him.Voices from inside. Muffled but angry."—think you can just hide forever?"Thomas.Draven pressed against the wall, listening."Get out of my room." Edmund's voice was cold. Controlled. More dangerous th