Cursed By Fate

chapter 30

Chapter 30

The morning sun streamed through Aria's window, casting warm rays across her face and pulling her from sleep. The little chick, now nestled comfortably beside her, chirped softly, rousing her further.

“Good morning,” Aria murmured, stretching and smiling at the tiny creature. She felt a sense of comfort in its presence, a reminder of the unexpected bond they had formed.

As she got out of bed and dressed in her guard attire, her mind wandered back to Ryker. The teasing, the playful banter—it all felt surreal. The memory of his eyes, electric and intense, sparked a flutter of excitement within her. Focus, Aria, she chastised herself, shaking her head as she tied her hair back. You’re a guard. Stay sharp.

After breakfast, she headed to the training grounds, ready to sharpen her skills. The sun had risen higher in the sky, casting a bright glow on the academy as she moved with purpose. As she arrived, the air buzzed with the sounds of clashing swords and the shouts of trainees pushing their limits.

“Aria!” A familiar voice called out, breaking her concentration. It was Finn, one of her fellow guards, who was already in the middle of his training session. “Ready for a challenge today?”

“Always,” she replied, a confident smirk crossing her lips. She loved the thrill of sparring, the adrenaline of competition, and the chance to push her abilities.

As they began to duel, Aria felt the weight of the previous night lift from her shoulders. She focused on her movements, each strike and parry honing her skills. With every clash of their blades, her confidence grew, and she could feel the excitement coursing through her veins.

In the midst of their spar, she couldn’t help but think of Ryker watching from the sidelines. What if he sees me? The thought sent a surge of determination through her. She needed to prove herself worthy of her position as his guard.

Just as she landed a swift blow to Finn’s side, she caught a glimpse of Ryker standing at the edge of the training area, arms crossed, a smirk on his face. His electric-yellow eyes glinted with amusement as he watched her. The sight sent warmth flooding her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

“Impressive,” he called out, his voice cutting through the sounds of the training ground. “I didn’t know you had it in you, Aria.”

Finn stepped back, catching his breath. “You’ve got an audience now,” he teased, giving her a knowing grin. “Better impress him!”

Aria rolled her eyes, but her heart raced at Ryker’s praise. “Don’t get too comfortable, Finn. I’m not done yet,” she challenged, her competitive spirit flaring up.

As she continued sparring, she felt a renewed energy flowing through her, pushing her to excel. Every strike was infused with the desire to impress Ryker, to show him that she was not just a guard but a fierce warrior in her own right.

After a rigorous training session, they finally took a break, and Aria wiped the sweat from her brow, glancing toward Ryker, who had approached with a more serious demeanor.

“Your skills are improving,” he acknowledged, his voice low and thoughtful. “But don’t let your focus slip. There are still dangers lurking outside these walls.”

Aria nodded, her heart pounding at his close proximity. “I know. That’s why I train hard. I want to be ready for anything.”

Ryker’s expression shifted, his usual teasing glint giving way to a more intense focus. “You need to understand the stakes, Aria. If you’re going to be by my side, you have to be prepared for anything. It won’t just be rogue beasts. There are threats that you can’t even imagine.”