Astrid blinked, slightly confused by his sudden intense blush and his refusal to look at her, but she attributed it to his embarrassment over his defeat to the First Demon King.
'My sister filled me in… What a bad week it has been for Jace.'
Jace took a deep breath, forcing the images out of his head.
He needed to focus on the goal… He needed to get stronger!
"Actually," Jace continued, his voice gaining a fraction of its old determined strength.
He looked up, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the space just to the left of her shoulder.
"I was wondering... if you have the time today. Could you help me get in on some training? I need to get back into fighting shape. I can't afford to waste any more time sitting around."
Astrid's face lit up completely. The concern she held for his mental state evaporated into thin air.
"Of course," Astrid promised as her voice filled up with pure relief and pride.
