Chapter 78: A Growing Connection Lucas’s POV

Soft patterns were formed on the wooden floor by the morning sunshine that came in through the cabin window. I saw Anna lace up her boots while leaning against the doorframe. As usual, her attitude was reserved, but I could see how her hands trembled a little when she thought I wasn't looking. She moved with calm purpose.

I broke the quiet by saying, "We should eat something before we go."

Anna's face wrinkled as she looked up at me. "I'm all right."

With my arms crossed, I kept a steady gaze. "You cannot train if you are not eating."

She stood and brushed her hands against her faded trousers, huffing but without protesting. She whispered, "I'll pick up something on the way."

It was a small victory, but not much. I went to the kitchen, picked up a few apples from the table, and tossed one to her. Despite not looking me in the eyes, she caught it with faster reflexes than I had expected.

I just said, "Eat."

We slipped into an uncomfortable silence as she leaned against the wall and chewed into the apple without saying a word.

Her voice was low as she questioned suddenly, "Why are you doing this?"

Startled by the question, I turned to face her. "What are you talking about?"

"This," she said, pointing at us. "Helping me, teaching me, acting as though you are concerned."

I let out a slow breath and looked into her eyes. "Because, Anna, I do care. You may or may not believe it. That would be up to you"

She simply took another bite of the apple and turned her head away without answering.

After a time, I grabbed my jacket and said, "Come on. We need to get to work."

The tension between us was still there, but it seemed to have lessened as she followed me out the door. I couldn't help but notice that, for the first time, we were starting to go in the same direction as we stepped out into the clear morning air.

I said, "Get up," in a stern but sympathetic way.

Anna sat on the ground and rubbed her elbow where she had just fallen, glaring at me. "I simply did."

I folded my arms across my chest in answer, saying, "And you'll do it again. Getting knocked down and learning how to get back up is the goal of training."

She narrowed her eyes, and I saw the anger ignite in them. She was definitely stubborn, but there was something noble about the way she persisted.

She pushed herself to her feet and questioned, "Why do I need this again? It's not like I'll be fighting rogues in the near future."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're unaware of that. Furthermore, self-defense is more than just fighting. It all comes down to control, understanding, and confidence. There are three things you could do better."

She made a small line with her lips, and I prepared myself for the response I knew was unavoidable.

"Dominance?" Her tone was serious as she repeated. "You tend to discuss control, given how you—"

"Stop," I interrupted, my tone harsh. "The past is not relevant here. Making sure you can defend yourself in the future is the goal."

For a short time, I noticed a glimmer of vulnerability beneath the layers of hatred and suspicion as her eyes wavered. "All right," she whispered. "What should I do now?"

I moved in closer and motioned for her to stand up. "Shoulder-width apart, knees bowed a little. Raise your hands to protect your face."

Her posture was rigid and unsure, yet she copied my actions. I gently repositioned her hands, guiding them into place. Her skin felt warm to the touch, and I had to force myself to focus.

"Better," I replied, taking a step back. "Now punch."

Anna paused and gave me a doubtful look. "At what?"

I said, pointing to my hands as targets, "At me. Let's see what you have, come on."

Her blow landed feebly against my hand, but she cooperated despite rolling her eyes.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow. "Is that the best you can do? A strong wind could blow more forcefully than that."

Her eyes sharpened once more, and she swung harder this time. The punch had strength, but it was still ill-coordinated.

I nodded and answered, "Better. However, remember your form. To protect your face, hold up your other hand. You do not wish to show yourself."

“Like this?” she asked, shifting her position.

With a tiny smile pulling at my lips, I answered, "Exactly. Try again now."

For the next hour, we continued on in this manner, her blows becoming more assured and accurate with each try. She picked things up quickly, and even though she occasionally grumbled under her breath, I could see she was having fun.

She hit me hard in the hand, and I remarked, "You're not half bad."

She raised a brow and repeated, "Not half bad? I believe I'm better than that."

"All right," I grinned. "Let's investigate that hypothesis."

I rushed swiftly and snatching her wrist in a pretend attack before she could react. Her eyes opened in surprise, but she didn't freeze.

She fought my hold and yelled, "What are you doing?"

I answered, "Teaching you how to get out of this. Think for a moment. What is the first move you take?"

She paused, looking quickly at my hand.

I said, "Use your strength. Take advantage of the fact that you're smaller than me. Find leverage, change your weight, and drop the hold."

Anna followed my directions, bending her body and releasing her arm as her face hardened with resolve.

“Look at that,” I said, letting her go and taking a step back. "You've got it."

She was breathing heavily as she looked at me, and for a few seconds, I thought she would grin. Rather, she said, "You know that you're insufferable?"

I shrugged and laughed. "I've been informed."

As we stood there in the unpleasant but elongated silence, the tension between us appeared to lessen. Her eyes suddenly had a tenderness to them, a glimmer of something that wasn't quite trust but also wasn't quite hostility.

After a minute, she noted in a softer voice, "You didn't have to do this."

"What?" I asked.

She pointed to the area between us and said, "Teach me. You weren't required to help."

With a serious tone, I looked her in the eye. "Indeed, I did. Because I pledged to protect you, and part of that includes ensuring that you are capable of self-defense."

Her face was unreadable as her lips opened as though she wanted to speak, but then closed again.

I spoke softly but strongly, "Anna, you don't have to do it alone anymore. You're not by yourself."

I could see the unrest in her eyes, and the words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I could see that she wanted to believe me, but it wasn't that easy to get rid of the scars from her past.

Her voice was almost audible above a whisper as she revealed, "I'm not sure if I can trust you."

"I understand," I replied, taking a step forward. "I'm here anyway."

She gave me a serious look at that point, and for a split second, I thought I saw a ray of hope.

Her voice was a mixture of caution and a gentler tone as she warned, "Don't make promises you can't keep."

I looked at her and said, "I won't. This time, no."

We had a charged air between us, and even though neither of us was ready to admit it, I could feel the tie drawing us closer.

At last, she stepped back and broke the trance, saying, "Okay. Let's continue. I haven't finished yet."

I nodded and grinned. "All right. Since we have only just begun."