After the emotional moment that happened, the evening air was cool and crisp as the two girls made their way across the campus toward the canteen. The sun had dipped below the treeline, painting the sky in deep shades of purple and amber. Lanterns flickered to life along the stone pathways, casting warm pools of light that danced across the gravel.
Iva's body still ached from Marik's class, but the pain had dulled to a manageable throb. Her split lip had healed completely, leaving only a faint tenderness that reminded her of the day's victory. Beside her, Lori walked with her hands shoved into the pockets of her jacket, her red hair catching the lantern light like spun copper.
Students milled around them, heading in the same direction. The murmur of conversation, the occasional burst of
