Rising

Chapter 16

the morning came with pain, a sharp pain that made my head spin, the sturbborn ache that sat in my bones and refused to leave.

For a moment I thought if this was a way my body was begging me to stop.

I immediately pushed the thought away.

I swung my legs off the bed, I tried standing but my legs shook , but they did not give in I stood waiting for the dizziness to pass, my fingers digging into the edge of the table.

I remember my old pack, how they mocked me and called me weak,how they said pain will break me.

"But no ," i wispered to myself. " That wouldn't be my identity.

I straightened.

Pain will not break me, not anymore.

I ran my hands through my hair, turning my head hurt.

By the time I reached the training ground, the sun was already high, the worrriors were already there, laughing, sparring, moving line this place belongs to them." Indeed it was theirs"

The moment I stepped into the sand, some of them noticed. I heared some whispering, but didn't let that bother me

Roshan was already there, he stood tall, he stood near the weapon rack, arms crossed watching two worriors spar. His presence alone made the air feel heavier, when he turned, his eyes found mine immediately.

Those eyes of his didn't soften.

They did not harden either.

They simply took me in from my stiff steps to the way I rolled my shoulders, like I was bracing for impact.

" Warm up, he said."

Just that.

He didn't say a word, he just walked past me.

I rolled my eyes and moved the edge ground, each stretch pulled fire into my muscle, but deep down I kept going . Around me the worriors moved easily and confidently.

I did not.

My body shook as I lifted the sword for drills , the weight felt heavier today like the blade had doubled over night . I adjusted my grip remembering Roshan's word from yesterday.

Balance before strength.

I swung.

The blade dipped to low .

A snort came from behind me.

Eat rushed to my face , but I didn't turn.

Again," Roshan said sharply.

I breathed in and out, adjusted my feets.

This time the blade cut the air cleaner.

Not prefect.....But better

Roshan walked towards me then, I felt it before I saw it, His presence settling behind me like a shadow, my back went straight without me thinking about it.

" Your grip is too tight", he said .

I swallowed, " if I loosen it" I will loose control .

"No, "he replied calmly, "you will again it".

I hesitated for a moment.

Then his hands came over mine.

The contact was brief, Controlled . His fingers did not wrap fully around my hand , just enough to guide. But my body reacted Like he has struck a spark inside me.

Heat rushed up my arm, settling low in my stomach.my breath caught before I could stop it.

He noticed

I knew he did, Becauae his hand stilled for a fraction of a second.

Then he adjusted my grip properly and stepped away immediately.

"Again,'he said , his Voice flat.

I stood there staring at my hands, like they had betrayed me. I hated that reaction , hated that my body responded when my mind knew better.

I swung again.

Better.

I repeated It over and over again. Every correction was verbal now , no more touching. the distance he left felt deliberate, like a wall he didn't want to cross.

And somehow that hurt.

A worrior stepped closer, "Why bother ?". He said loudly, she's still going to fall.

Before I could say a word, Damon voice cut through the air.

She hasn't, he said.

Silence followed immediately.

The worrior scoffed and walked away.

I didn't look at Roshan, I was afraid if I did i will see something in his eyes I wasn't ready to see.

i moved into sparring drills.

I was paired with someone taller, stronger, faster. I was indeed a little scared but I didn't let that frightened me.

The first strike knocked me off balance, i hit the ground so hard , air leaving my lungs in a sharp rush.

Laughter followed.

I pushed myself up, again I was knocked down.

Again I stood.

By the forth time , my hands trembled to badly that I could hardly lift the blade, sweat dripping into my eyes that made my vision blur.

Enough, someone muttered. She's done.

Roshan did not stop the drill.

I lifted my sword, the worrior came at me this time , careless and confident.

I stepside clumsily avoiding the blow, but something clicked in that moment , I remembered Roshan word earlier words, balance, breath.

I shifted my weight.

My blade met his, not strong enough to overpower him, but enough to redirect.

The clash rang loud, so loud that the worriors froze, surprised at the outcome.

So was I.

Roshan eyes turned towards me.

The drill ended moment later , but something has change. The laughter was gone, the whispers quieter.

My legs gave out as soon as I walked away, I moved towards the edge of the ground, Lowering myself to the sand.

Roshan Approached me , but he stopped at a short distance away.

You held your ground, He said.

Not praise, just acknowledment.

I looked at him, my chest rising and falling fast," I'm still lost ".

You didn't yield, he replied.

That mattered more.

He turned away then, addressing the others, Leaving me sitting there with my thought tangled.and heart unsteady.

As the training ended, I watched him at the corner of my eye, He did not look back at me, not once.

I told myself, that was good.

Still the distance was safety.

As I walked back towards my room, my body ached alot and my mind became restless.i couldn't forget the brief moment of his warmeth over my hand , or how quickly he had pulled away , like he was afraide of what might happen if he didn't.

And for the first time , I wondered if the danger wasn't what I felt for him .

But what he felt too.