There was no hesitation, no time to rethink my decision. Confidence filled me. After all, I made it to the balcony of the fortress. I could make this.

I shoved off with all my strength and launched into the air. The ravine fell away as my front paws dug into the rocks on the other side. I hoisted myself up to the ledge, letting pride fill me as I stopped and hunted for Nikolai on the other side. He paced the edge of the ravine, sizing up the jump.

Always the cautious one. Come on. Or yield to me.

You wish.

I heard his chuckle as he took several paces...