A Song of Ice & Shadow

Luckily, when Cassian was done with Nesta, it was already lunchtime. By the time he finished, however, Y/n was nowhere to be found. He went to her room and knocked a couple of times.

"Tell you're not still sleeping?" he called out. When she didn't answer, he sighed before pounding harder on the door.

She eventually opened it, still in her nightgown and robe, her eyes half- closed and her hair disheveled. "What?" she asked groggily.

"You cannot be serious right now. Tell me you did not just wake up."

"What do you want, asshole?" she muttered, rubbing her eyes.

"We have a training lesson, and I'm sure you haven't eaten anything yet."

"I'm not hungry, and I told you I'm not training in that hellhole."

Cassian exhaled sharply, clearly running out of patience. "I don't have time for this. Meet me upstairs in ten minutes. If you're not ready, I'll take you in your sleeping attire. Your choice, Y/n."

"I hate you," she snapped before slamming the door in his face.

True to her defiant nature, Y/n ignored Cassian's instructions and dressed in the practical gown she had worn the first time she stepped foot in the Illyrian camps. Her long braid reached the middle of her back, swinging slightly as she moved. When Cassian saw her, he raised a brow.

"Interesting choice," he remarked, smirking. But she didn't bother responding, brushing past him without a word.

When they arrived in Windhaven, Devlon snickered as he caught sight of her.

"Are you going to bring all our High Lady's sisters here?" he taunted. "Or are you hoping this one won't turn out to be a failure like the other one?"

Cassian opened his mouth to retort, but Y/n stepped forward first, her expression could have sliced through stone. "Delan, was it? I suggest you keep your remarks to yourself  if you like having a tongue." She took a step forward, but Cassian's arm shot out to halt her.

Devlon sneered, undeterred. "Is that supposed to scare me?"

"How you choose to perceive my words is your business," she said evenly, her voice low and calm. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

Before Devlon could retort, Cassian interjected, his tone a quiet warning. "I'd remind you that she's the one who severed the King of Hybern's head from his body... Let's go, Y/n." He placed a firm hand on her shoulder, steering her toward the empty training area.

"I had that handled," she muttered as they walked, brushing his hand off her shoulder.

"I know," Cassian replied with a shrug. "But I didn't want to see bloodshed yet. Besides, if you want to defeat him, you need to train."

A few Illyrian males lingered nearby, watching them curiously as Cassian began his usual training routine. Y/n, however, ignored him entirely, sitting on the nearest rock.

Cassian frowned, pausing mid-motion. "Are you just going to sit there and watch like your sister?"

"Are you ever going to stop mentioning her whenever you're talking to me? I'm beginning to think you're obsessed with her," Y/n replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

She wavered dismissively at the Illyrians who were staring at her. "There won't be a show today, boys. You can scatter now." They glared at her but eventually walked away, muttering among themselves.

She closed her eyes, intending to block out the world, and almost fell asleep before Casian's voice dragged her back. "Don't think I've given up on you. Same time tomorrow. And eat something before training."