Sacrifice

Chapter 25 : Ties That Bind

The sharp clang of metal rings through the open air as the swords clash against each other, sending vibrations down your arm. Though winter still lingers, the air carries a subtle warmth, a gentle promise of spring's arrival in the coming weeks. Soft, pillowy mounds of snow blanket the ground, their crisp whiteness beginning to melt at the edges where the sunlight touches. The cold air still bites, refreshing against the heat rising from your skin, but the sun's warmth is stronger now, teasing the change of seasons. Heeseung stands in front of you, his sword locked against yours, his stance low and strong, pressing forward with a force that drives you back. Your feet slide in the snow, but you dig your heels in, determined not to give an inch.

"You're getting cocky, my love," Heeseung teases, his voice smooth and playful despite the exertion, his eyes glinting as he watches you struggle to hold your ground.

A smirk tugs at your lips as you push back against his strength. "I saw an opportunity, so I took it," you reply, shrugging nonchalantly even as your muscles strain under his weight.

Heeseung chuckles, the sound rich and warm. "Bold move. But you know what they say about overconfidence," he says, leaning in slightly, his eyes never leaving yours as he adds more pressure. You can feel the power behind his strikes, controlled yet unrelenting. He's testing you, but he's still holding back—just a little.

Training with the princes has been an intense but rewarding routine. Each day has brought new challenges as they push you to improve. Jungwon and Sunghoon take it upon themselves to ensure you're keeping up with their cardio regiment, dragging you out to the forest at almost dawn for punishing sprints and endurance training. Sunghoon's competitive nature often turns these into races, with Jungwon encouraging you to keep pace with the swiftest of vampires. You've fallen behind them more times than you can count, but with each run, the gap between you shrinks.

Once the cardio sessions are complete, Jay and Jake often await you with teasing smiles and knowing glances every other day, ready to lead you into strength training. They focus on your core, your arms, and your legs—ensuring every muscle is ready for whatever lies ahead. Jake's golden-retriever-like enthusiasm is infectious, while Jay's headstrong and caring approach keeps you grounded when the workouts get tough. They don't let up, and neither do you. The challenge feels good, the ache of sore muscles a sign that you're growing stronger.

On the days without strength training, Jungwon takes the time to hone your combat skills, focusing on your footwork, precision, and reflexes. His eyes sparkle with approval when you parry his attacks, his pride obvious when you manage to land a hit. And afterward, Riki puts you through his infamous obstacle courses. He seems to delight in making each one harder than the last, incorporating jumps, rolls, and stealthy maneuvers that force you to rely on agility rather than brute strength. He's always trying to catch you off guard, but ever since Jay introduced scent blockers, you've been able to bypass the princes much easier—well, most of the time. Sometimes, the princes' vampire senses still shine through and they surprise you mid-course with a warm back hug, sneaking up behind you when you're focused on getting to the end. But on those attempts when you do manage to complete the course undetected, the triumphant grin on your face is mirrored by Riki's impressed nod.

Then, after every exhausting session, Sunoo is always there waiting. He sits with you, helping you stretch out your worn, aching muscles. His hands are gentle as they guide you through each movement, and the two of you often find yourselves laughing about something trivial. He's a welcome comfort after the intensity of training, and sometimes, the stretching turns into soft kisses between giggles, your lips tingling as you claim the moment for yourselves. "You need to stretch all your muscles, including these," you'd tease before pecking his lips, and Sunoo would grin, always ready to oblige.