Leon's POV
The third round.
Whatever happened here would decide everything.
This time, it felt different.
Not just in the obvious way, but in the subtle way your instincts start whispering to you before something big happens. The kind of feeling that makes the back of your neck prickle even when nothing's technically wrong.
Veronica stood across from me, looking… fine.
Too fine, in fact.
She didn't look like someone who had been battered and bruised not long ago. The healers had done their job perfectly. There was no visible scars on her and there was no slight hitch in her breathing either. If I hadn't seen her injuries with my own eyes, I would've assumed she'd spent the last few hours sipping tea and enjoying a peaceful nap.
Castle healers really were built different.
