Forgotten Heir: Realm Doors Book One

Chapter Thirteen

Part Two: Becoming

Months passed and though their physical wounds healed, the mental ones would take longer. Yet even physically, they hadn't healed perfectly. Scars were almost unheard of among the elahdril and vampire kind. It shouldn't happen, but Kalidir suspected both Cara and Ric's wounds were just so numerous their bodies couldn't heal as effectively as normal. Luckily the scars were both few and faint, although Cara resented that her stomach and chest were littered with white lines left from my more severe wounds.

There was progress in other areas too. Ric stopped taking E.B. and started feeding regularly, albeit begrudgingly. He still fought the addiction, but his improvements was noticeable. He began training with Cara too, something he'd never done before. He sparred with her, a sword clutched in his experienced hand as they whirled around each other under Kalidir's scrutinizing gaze.

She enjoyed sparring with Ric, it allowed her to forget everything but the vibrating sword in her hand, his focussed expression, and each move of his strong body. When not training, Cara often found herself siting in ponderous shame, contemplating her existence and her failures, but that was impossible when she practised with Ric, the vampire who held her heart and the man brought her peace and focus and maybe even a little hope, and the warrior who was experienced enough to ensure he left her no time to dwell.

Raising his sword, he blocked Cara's downward strike. She twisted away, seeking another opening, but he stepped easily out of reach. When he spun closer again, his sword arced towards her, but she ducked and rolled, moving out of Ric's path before his blade caught her. A flicker of a smile touched his lips, a silent congratulation which warmed her heart as she dodged another blow. She came in closer to him, her blade skimming his shoulder, dragging a slight growl from his throat as he moved to prevent a further injury.

First blood! Finally, she'd drawn first blood rather than bleeding it.

Ric's eyes blazed silver, his fangs extending. He didn't enjoy being first to bleed, yet his mind brushed hers all the same, whispering, "Well done," straight into her consciousness.

She inclined her head slightly in acknowledgement before he forced her to leap away again. She hadn't moved fast enough, though, and his sword clipped her arm, her previous victory is short lived. She grunted and move further away, eyeing Ric cautiously as she swung for him. He blocked, the force behind his blade as it struck hers catching by surprise. It sent her my sword spinning out of her hands.

"Yield?" he asked expectantly.

"Nope," she replied.

Ric grinned and arced his sword towards her again. She ducked under his swing, grabbing his wrist and elbow as she stepped around his side, letting the momentum of his own thrust spin him around her body to land painfully at my feet. His sword spun off in the opposite direction to her, and suddenly they were on an even playing field.
Stunned at managing to get the move to work, Cara slowed, distracted, and Ric used my moment of surprise to kick her legs out from under her before she could pin him. He caught her off guard and forced her to roll backwards to avoid being pinned herself. Then they were both on there feet again, circling each other warily, hands raised in defensive positions.

She lunged but feinted sideways as he raised his hands, hoping to get around him. He twisted too, instinctively responding to her actions. He grabbed her arm, sending her off balance, but he hadn't the time to re-centre himself. Cara collided with him and they both tumbled to the concrete floor, her landing hard on top of him.

Ric moves underneath her, heaving himself up so the switched positions. Once on top of her, with his hands pressing her wrists solidly against the floor and he asked again, "Do you yield?"