Chapter 394: The Second Lesson
Evaline:
The next evening arrived sooner than I expected.
I had just finished feeding Lioren and was putting him down for a nap when a light knock sounded at my door. One of the household servants stood there, her hands clasped politely in front of her.
"My Lady," she said softly, "Alpha River asked me to inform you that it’s time for your second lesson."
My second lesson.
The words sent a small ripple through me - a mixture of nerves and excitement. Yesterday’s "first class" with Kieran had been more emotional than physical. But physical training... with River? That was a whole different story.
"I’ll be there shortly. Let Madam Elira stay with Young master." I told her, and she bowed before quietly leaving.
I glanced back at Lioren. He was fast asleep, his little hand curled near his cheek, his breathing steady. I brushed a kiss over his forehead before slipping out of the room.
As I made my way downstairs, I spotted River waiting near the back door that led to the open courtyard. The sun had dipped low in the sky, leaving streaks of deep gold and soft violet scattered across the horizon.
River stood in the middle of it, dressed in dark training clothes that clung to the lines of his body. His hair was styled perfectly, yet a few strands were falling across his face. There was no softness in his expression this evening... only calm determination.
When his eyes met mine, I forgot to breathe for a second.
"You are not dressed for the oaccsion," he said, not unkindly, but with the cool authority that reminded me why everyone in our world feared and respected him.
"I didn’t realize I had to change. I’ll be right back."
I literally ran back inside the house without waiting for his response. When I returned to my room, Madam Elira was already there, working on a dream catcher she seemed to be making for Lioren.
I quickly headed inside my walk-in closet and grabbed a pair of gym outfit. Once I had changed and put on my shoes, I headed downstairs with my heart beating wildly in my chest.
When I walked out of the door, I found him standing there just like I left him not long ago. "How about now?" I asked.
He turned to face me and his gaze softened just slightly. "That’s good enough. But next time, don’t get us late like today. You’ll need every minute of this session."
I frowned lightly. "How bad can it be?"
He smiled. It was a faint, dangerous curve of lips that made my stomach twist. "You’ll find out."
He gestured for me to follow and I did. We took the trail into the woods behind the house, stepping deeper into the mountains that looked extra creepy at this hour.
All of a sudden, he picked up his speed... though just a little. He was now jogging. "Keep up. You need to warm up first."
I did as told, picking my speed as I jogged by his side. The air was cool against my skin, but anticipation burned low in my chest.
We continued like that for about ten minutes before we reached what seemed like a small clearing. Once there, he asked me to stretch my muscles and I did. Rolling my shoulders, stretching my arms, and inhaling deeply.
Then, I watched as River started circling around me slowly, assessing. His every step was measured, deliberate. "You have good reflexes, Evaline. That much I know. But your body-" He stopped behind me. "-still moves like you are afraid of breaking something."
"I just gave birth a month ago," I muttered.
"I know," he said softly, "and that’s why we’ll go only as far as you can handle. But don’t expect me to go easy on you because of that."
Before I could reply, he stepped forward, so close that I felt the warmth of his breath near my ear. "You asked for this training, Evaline. Now prove you are ready for it."
The words sent a shiver through me - not of fear, but challenge. Still, what I wanted most was to ask exactly when did I made such a ridiculous demand. But I knew his words meant something else.
"Fine," I said, turning to face him. "Show me."
He nodded once, stepping back. "First lesson - balance and control."
He struck without warning.
I barely dodged his arm as he reached for me, his movement fast and precise. My heart leaped in my chest as I stumbled back, but he didn’t pause. He lunged again, this time sweeping his leg to knock me off my feet.
I twisted just in time, my hands brushing the ground before I regained my footing.
"Good," he said, his eyes gleaming. "But your stance is weak. Keep your center lower."
He came at me again - faster. I barely had time to block his arm, the impact vibrating up my forearm. He grabbed my wrist, twisted, and suddenly my back was against his chest, his arm locked around me.
"Too slow," he whispered near my ear.
I growled low in my throat and kicked back, hitting his shin. He loosened his hold for half a second... enough for me to slip free.
I turned sharply, facing him again, chest heaving.
He smiled faintly. "Better."
We circled each other, the world narrowing to just the sound of our breathing and the faint crunch of gravel under our feet. He feinted left, I moved right... but he was faster. His hand shot out, gripping my forearm, and before I could react, he pulled me forward, using my own momentum to bring me down.
I gasped as I hit the ground, but before I could recover, he crouched beside me, his eyes dark with focus.
"This is what happens when you lose focus for even a second," he said. "Your opponent doesn’t give you time to think."
I glared up at him. "You are enjoying this, aren’t you?"
He gave a small smirk. "Maybe a little."
With a groan, I pushed myself up, brushing the dust from my clothes. "Then don’t hold back. I can handle more."
Something shifted in his expression - pride, and maybe something else. "Alright, little star," he murmured. "Let’s see what you have got."
The next round was harder. He didn’t give me a moment to breathe - his strikes came faster, his movements sharper. Every time I thought I could predict him, he changed rhythm, forcing me to adapt. I started to understand what he was trying to teach me - to trust my instincts, not just my eyes.
At one point, I managed to catch his wrist mid-swing, using his force to pivot behind him. My hand came up to his neck... not hard, but enough to show I could have hit him.
"Impressive," he said, his voice low.
"You are not the only one who learns fast," I replied.
For a second, we both froze - our eyes locking, our breaths mingling in the cool evening air. The moment stretched taut, something unspoken flickering between us.
Then he moved.
With one swift motion, he spun, grabbed my waist, and in a blink, I was flat on my back again... this time with him above me, one hand pinning my wrist to the ground.
I stared up at him, my pulse hammering, every nerve in my body alive.
"Lesson two," he said, his voice rougher now. "Never assume the fight is over just because you think you have won."
I tried to glare, but the intensity in his eyes made it impossible. There was no mockery in his expression... only heat, focus, and something that made my breath catch.
Then, as if realizing how close we were, he exhaled and stood, offering me a hand. "Enough for today."
But before I could take it, the faint sound of something... or someone... echoed from the far end of the clearing.
Both of us froze.
River’s eyes narrowed as his head turned toward the sound. And becase of my newly enhanced senses, I heard it too. It was a faint metallic click, sharp and distinct, followed by the whisper of footsteps.
The air shifted.
"Stay behind me," he murmured, his voice suddenly low and dangerous.
"What is it?" I whispered, my heart starting to race again - this time not from the training.
He didn’t answer. He took a slow step forward, his stance immediately changing... the predator replacing the teacher.
The wind picked up, carrying with it the faint scent of something foreign. My instincts screamed that we weren’t alone.
Then, out of the shadows from behind the trees, something moved.
A blur... fast, deliberate, wrong.
River was already in front of me before I could blink, his hand raised, his voice low and commanding. "Get back, Evaline."
The last thing I saw before he blocked my view was a pair of glowing red eyes watching us from the dark.
And then... everything happened at once.