SIX: THE LESSON OF BLOOD
914 Words
Princess Ember learned that before the sun rose.The mountain did not forgive hesitation.
This is the third day of her consciousness here in the world of mortals.
“Get up!" Bright’s voice cut through the dark like a blade.
He didn't surprise her a day ago. Her body protested as she pushed herself upright, muscles tight, her side was still aching, her skin raw from cold and fire-like but she forced herself to stand anyway.
Good for her, because pain meant she was still here.
Still fighting and alive.
Bright watch her closely. But his gaze was different today, something sharper and less guarded. He didn't mind what she was intended to do now or say anything to him.
“Today you learn to fight.”
Princess Ember stilled. A flicker of irritation sparked under her exhaustion. "I already know how.”
He shook his head once, determined what he needed to do with her.
“No,” he said. “You know how to command people to fight for you.”
The words landed clean. And entirely accurate.
Princess Ember’s jaw tightened.
“Out here, no one’s coming to save you.” Bright continued.
The distance between them disappeared too quickly.
His presence filled the space so heavily and unavoidable.
His eyes locked onto hers. "So you either learn... or die..."
He move swiftly, without any warning or preparation. In an instant, his hand grasped her throat, not with force or aggression, but with a deliberate and unwavering grip. It was a display of control, marked by an unsettling certainty.
For a brief moment, Princess Ember was stunned by a shock. Then, her instincts took over. Her hand shot up, seizing his wrist and twisting it with all her strength, yet it remained immovable. It felt as if she were attempting to shift something deeply entrenched in the ground. Her breath caught in her throat, and a wave of frustration surged within her.
“Too slow,” Bright murmured.
It felt like she was just a puzzle waiting to be figured out. Her knee drove upward.
Bright shifted just enough to block it effortlessly. "You predict."
Rage surged within herintense, immediate, and all too familiar. She pushed against him with every ounce of her strength. This time, he actually let her.
Bright stepped back, releasing her just as suddenly as he’d grabbed her. The loss of contact threw her off balance. Princess Ember stumbled but managed to catch herself just in time. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, her breath coming in uneven gasps, and her heart was racing like it might burst from her chest.
“I am not prey,” she snapped.
The words slipped out with a sharper edge than he meant. It was more than just anger; it felt like defiance, like a firm refusal. His face remained unchanged, not a hint of softness in his expression.
“Then stop moving like it.”
Before she had a chance to reply, he lunged once more. This time, she felt prepared. Or at least, she thought she was. She ducked. Pivoted. Tried to anticipate, but he was already ahead of her. Always ahead.
Bright cornered her once more, pressing her back against the cave wall. The impact was gentle enough not to cause pain, but it stole the breath from her lungs. His arm hovered beside her head, a barrier that both confined and protected her, yet it was a clear reminder of his strength. Her breath hitched, not solely from the force of the encounter, but from the intensity of their closeness.
Too close that she could feel the heat of him. The steadiness of his breathing, compared to hers.
“You hesitate,” he said quietly.
“I don’t..”
“You think first.” His voice dropped slightly but more focused.
His eyes darted momentarily to her lips, a fleeting glance that could easily be dismissed. Yet, it lingered, revealing a deeper interest before returning to meet her gaze.
“That gets you killed.”
The words should have anchored her, should have intensified her concentration. Yet, an unsettling presence had crept into the space between them. It was something more profound than mere training or tension. It stirred her pulse, making it erratic and unfamiliar, introducing a sense of danger that felt entirely different. She despised that she recognized it, loathed that a part of her remained drawn to it instead of retreating.
“Then teach me,” she said.
The words emerged softer, yet they carried a sharper edge. It was a challenge, a clear boundary established. If he intended to push her, she was resolute in her stance. Bright’s jaw clenched, and a flicker of something passed through his eyes—not anger, nor a desire for control, but rather a sense of restraint.
“Careful what you ask for, princess.”
The nickname should have irritated her, but it didn’t, at least not in the same way it once had. This time, it carried a different weight, one that felt more like a caution than a jest, hinting at unspoken truths lingering between them. Princess Ember held her ground, refusing to look away or attempt to escape, even as he effectively trapped her in his presence.
“Or what?” she pressed.
His arm tensed slightly next to her head, neither constricting her further nor pulling away. His voice lowered, taking on a rougher edge that sent a shiver down her spine.
- Writer
