Chapter 20: Seeds of Vengeance
Alaric stayed for a week.
Seven days that changed everything.
The first morning, he appeared in the training clearing before dawn. Already dressed for combat. Two practice swords in hand.
"Let's see what Mira's taught you," he said.
They sparred.
Alaric was better than Mira. Faster. Stronger. More ruthless.
He didn't hold back the way Mira did. Didn't give Selene room to breathe or recover.
He pushed her. Hard.
Within minutes, Selene was on the defensive. Barely blocking. Struggling to keep up.
A strike got through her guard. Caught her ribs. Knocked the air from her lungs.
She hit the ground gasping.
"Dead," Alaric said. Standing over her. Not offering to help her up. "In a real fight, you'd be dead."
Selene forced herself to stand. Raised her blade.
"Again."
He smiled. Fierce and approving.
"Good. Again."
They trained until Selene could barely lift her arms. Until her legs shook. Until she collapsed from exhaustion.
