Sleeping With The Devil (sequel to Two Faced Love)

Part 16

"So, I take it that it took you some convincing to be doing this," Eric said as you followed right behind him as he walked through the palace.

You smiled to yourself as you followed behind him, thinking about what had occurred the previous day after you got back from your short exploration of the nearby town.

"Well, it wasn't me that had to do the convincing. Paul mentioned that I should do this to kill time and so I could learn how to protect myself. And I agreed to it. Because it does make sense," you replied.

"That's good. That he wants you to be able to protect yourself. Never know what could happen," he said as he opened a door out to where you hadn't been to before.

Walking out of the palace you saw greenery just like was in the gardens but this wasn't the gardens. You saw the stables off the side where the horses were kept. And the soldiers up on the towers, small swords strapped to their sides. Bows in their hands and arrows inside carriers that were on their backs.

You stumbled against Eric making you jump back as you collided with his back.

"Didn't realize you were moving still did you?" he asked rhetorically as you drew your eyes from the archers.

"They are there for the palace's protection. This is where the soldiers train when needed. They do it often to make sure they are still in fighting shape," Eric said as he gestured to the area that was right in front of the both of you. Which included an area of dirt that looked fairly warned down.

"Let me guess that's the specific spot?"

"Usually, when there is an audience. But there won't be one," Eric said as he stopped in front of the fenced off area.

"Really? Because I think there would be people that would want to see a half human/demon that is soon to be their queen get their ass beat by their king's second-in-command. I mean like if I heard about that through the grap-vine I would wanna stop by to see that," you said with a frown on your face.

"There won't be anyone. Strict orders," Eric explained as he squeezed your shoulder.

"You'll be fine," he said as your frown started to lift, as he opened his mouth again. "In time of course. He told me about his time with you on earth. You're brave but your fighting skills need work, not like some other skills," he said as you lifted your elbow quickly and jabbed him into his side making him double over at the unexpected jab.

"Alright, shouldn't have said that I had a feeling that was a possible response. But proves that you have reflexes that we can work with. A baseline," he said as he was noticeably grimacing for a second as the pain passed.

"So what are we going to do first? Hand to hand combat or with swords and whatnot?" you asked as a fist coming at you that you dodged quickly was your only answer.

***

Moving from hand-to-hand combat after you got a punch from Eric. You were now parrying or at least attempting to with the sword that you held in your hand. Deflecting Eric's moves at the last second because you could barely anticipate the direction in which he was going to strike due to how fast he moved.

Which made you think of the previous evening, where you didn't think you would've complained about how fast Paul had moved at all.

You were lost in thought as you relaxed one of your hands that was gripped on the sword.

Eric took note in that slight move and disarmed you, the sword going flying across the practice area, leaving you without any weapon.

"Distracted?" he asked with a head tilt and a smile which made you think he could read your thoughts and could see what you had been thinking about.