His vampire instincts flared—enhanced strength coiled in his limbs, ready to break free. But he didn't want to hurt her. He relaxed, letting her think she'd won. Then, in a flash, she swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Before he could recover, she pinned him, knees on his shoulders.
"Ha! I win again!" she crowed, her face hovering inches from his.
Kaelith's pulse quickened—not just from the fight, but from her closeness. Her heartbeat thrummed in his ears, the scent of her sweat and blood stirring his fangs. A primal hunger gnawed at him, his vampire nature straining against his control. He clenched his jaw, fighting it back.
"Lirien, get off," he said, voice tight.
She frowned, sensing the shift. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
"No, it's not that." He eased her aside and sat up, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "I just… need a moment."
She studied him, puzzled. "You're acting weird."
"I'm fine," he said, forcing a smile. "You just surprised me. You're stronger than I thought."
Her face brightened. "Told you! Maybe I should focus on fighting instead of magic."
He nodded, still rattled but impressed. "Yeah, maybe you should. You've got a natural talent for it."
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled. "You'll teach me?"
"Sure," he said, warming to the idea. "We'll start with basics—punches, blocks. But you have to be careful."
"I promise!" She leaped up, eager.
They began practicing—simple jabs and dodges. Lirien moved with a raw, instinctive grace, her strikes sharp and quick. Kaelith marveled at her potential, seeing a fire in her that reminded him of tales he'd read in his past life—stories of warriors who thrived in the heat of battle, their strength a perfect counter to a mage's finesse. She'd caught him off guard, something he hadn't anticipated, her hand-to-hand skill a challenge he'd need to adapt to.
But Kaelith's vampire nature added a layer of complexity. Teaching Lirien meant staying close—close enough to hear her pulse, to feel the warmth of her blood beneath her skin. Each block he parried, each time their arms brushed, tested his restraint. He kept his movements measured, careful not to reveal his full strength or speed, the hunger a constant whisper in the back of his mind.
As the twin suns dipped low, painting the clearing in golden hues, they sat to rest, laughter echoing through the trees. Lirien sprawled on the grass, catching her breath. "You're not bad, Kael. But I'm gonna get better than you."
He smirked. "We'll see. You've got a gift, though. I'll help you hone it."
She grinned, brash as ever. "Good. You'll need someone to watch your back when you're a great mage."
The words lingered, sparking a quiet hope in him. The weight from the night before felt lighter still, replaced by purpose. He'd set his family on a path to heal, and now, with Lirien, he was forging something new—a partnership that might one day shape their fates.
In this world of twin suns and hidden fangs, she could be his counter, his strength. And he, with his vampire's burden, would guide her while guarding his own secrets.
The twin suns hung low in the sky as Kaelith lingered in the training yard, the echoes of his sparring session with Lirien still humming in his muscles.
Her strength had caught him off guard—her fists quick, her resolve unshakable. He rubbed his shoulder where she'd landed a solid hit, a faint smile tugging at his lips. She was a force, raw and untamed, and he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride.
But beneath that pride stirred something else: the gnawing hunger of his vampire nature, roused by the heat of their fight. He'd kept it buried, locked behind a wall of focus, but it lingered like a shadow.
Footsteps crunched on the dirt behind him, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to see Talren approaching, a wooden practice sword in each hand. The man's broad shoulders were squared, his expression unreadable but softer than it had been in weeks. The rift between them—born of Talren's infidelity and the pain it had carved into their family—still yawned wide, but today, there was something different in the air. A tentative step forward, perhaps.