Music recommendation: Mirror Mirror (instrumental) by Music Legends on Spotify.
Lyra stirred in her sleep, twisting and turning, dream turned to nightmare. Sweat glistened on her skin, and her troubled expression deepened. She mumbled in refusal until she jolted awake, gasping for air. She was met with piercing red eyes so close to her face that she went white as a sheet.
"Agck…oof!"
"…"
She fell out of bed, her racing heart threatening to burst out of her chest. She blinked only to realize she wasn't dreaming, and Leo sat on the side of the bed. His judgmental gaze held a mixture of shock and amusement.
"Uggh! Leo, you nearly scared me to death!" Lyra grumbled, flustered by the abrupt wake-up call.
"You didn't wake up when I called for you." He extended his hand to help her up. "Bad dream?"
"Yes…you could say that…" Lyra trailed. She was surprised by his prying.
She didn't feel comfortable explaining her nightmares even she didn't understand—He would think she was deranged. She took her hand out of his and brought it to her chest.
Changing the subject, she looked at him and saw he wore a simple white tunic with pants. Leo knew what she was going to say next. He pointed to a set of training clothes for her and spoke,
"Get dress. I'll see you at the training grounds."
Heading for the door, Leo paused. He glanced at her beaming expression; he wanted to inform her of their departure but decided to hold off. He exited the room, closing the door.
Lyra dressed in a simple tunic and pants that fit her figure perfectly. Tying her hair in a ponytail, she threw on her boots and raced out the door. Walking down the corridor, maids were busy on their menial tasks. She asked one of them for directions to the training grounds. She nodded in understanding and jogged over to her destination.
When she arrived at the vast arena outside the mansion, other shifters practiced their swordsmanship among their peers. However, the rest of the men and women there formed a crowd.
Lyra was curious as the spectators praised and cheered to the center of the ring they had formed. She squeezed through tight formations and saw a blur of two men locked in hand-to-hand combat. Her eyes went wide as saucers when she recognized the two opponents.
Her mouth gaped as Leo and Viktor, both shirtless, sparred as they threw punches and kicks while the other swiftly countered and defended. The clash of their strength and agility was mesmerizing, and the crowd erupted in cheers with every skillful move.
Leo and Viktor looked evenly matched, but Leo barely broke a sweat while Viktor's sweat glistened his firm muscles as they rippled through every strike. She found herself captivated by the intensity of the match. Leo's movements were precise and controlled. On the other hand, Viktor's strength was showcased in every powerful strike.
Leo's crimson eyes met hers briefly, and a mysterious smile played on his lips. It was a fleeting moment, but Lyra caught it.
The match reached its climax as both fighters circled each other. The tension in the air was palpable, and the crowd fell into hushed silence. It was a standoff, a moment frozen in time.
"Still think I've gone soft?" Viktor asked, his breathing labored.
Leo chuckled and teased, "You call this a challenge when I see it as a warm-up."
Viktor's eyes glowed as he gnashed his teeth. Overcome by his wolf, he lunged at Leo with a roar. Leo expertly took Viktor's arm with quick reflexes, twisting it behind his back before pinning him to the ground. The crowd was stunned.
"You still let your emotions control you, boy," Leo stated before he released him.
Viktor grimaced with a slight nod and acknowledged Leo's skill. The onlookers erupted in cheers, breaking Lyra from her daze. Leo, though stoic, seemed satisfied with the outcome.
As the crowd dispersed, Lyra approached the two men with a smile plastered on her face. She couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for both fighters.
Leo received a towel from the squire that was offered to him and Viktor. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, his eyes followed her approach.
"That was incredible. Viktor, you were amazing!" Lyra complimented, while Viktor beamed at her arrival.
"You flatter me, Lyra," Viktor smiled. "Though I still don't hold a candle to Leo." He laughed as he wiped the remaining sweat from his brow. The candle was an understatement, knowing Leo was holding back.
Her eyes met Leo's as if she sensed his narrowing gaze—was he jealous? She looked away as she realized they were both still shirtless. The sweat that glistened on their flawless muscles made them tantalize to the eye.
Clearing her throat, she spoke, "So…Viktor, do you have an opponent I can spar with?"
Viktor nodded, but before he could respond, Leo chimed in, "I'll be your opponent."
Lyra was surprised by his response. She hadn't expected to spar with someone of his caliber. She refuted, shaking her head.
"There's no need…You must be tired from the match."
Leo shrugged, "Nonsense…Unless you change your mind about training? Gender shouldn't be an issue."
Lyra smiled at the invitation—no way she would lose this opportunity. She shook her head, strolled to him, and stared squarely into his red eyes.
"Fine…Challenge accepted," Her voice held a hint of confidence and determination. Leo smirked at her; his calculating eyes held amusement in them. Viktor merely shook his head, disapproving of his friend's choice in training. Viktor was still sore from their match, and Leo looked relatively relaxed. He hoped he would be gentle with the poor woman.
Viktor stepped back, giving the couple space. Lyra was confused when Leo strolled a few paces away from her, his hands leisurely placed on his hips. Was he not going to take her seriously? Should she request a weapon? Her blood boiled by the cocky attitude he showed.
Lyra glanced at Viktor and asked, "Should I get a sparring weapon?"
"Melee weapons won't do you any good, Lyra," Viktor said, shaking his head. "Measure of skill and strength comes from our fists."
"But I'm only human," Lyra argued.
Leo shrugged, "That didn't stop you before, did it?" he tilted his head. Lyra scoffed and poised, holding her fists leveled to her face and one to her chest.
The next moment, she lunged at Leo at a surprising speed, throwing a punch aimed at his smug face. However, all she contacted was air as he swiftly dodged with ease. She countered with a kick, only for him to arch back. Her attacks were merely an inch away from hitting him.
Lyra grew more frustrated by his evasion, only to widen in shock when his eyes flickered. It was his turn to attack, and the air shifted, and she barely saw his afterimage as a fist came close to her abdomen. She arched back and barely dodged his blow, feeling the force it carried. She jumped back to distance herself. However, he kept advancing. His movements were fluid and graceful, and it seemed he was dancing around her. Despite his casual demeanor, Lyra sensed he was holding back.
As the spar continued, she attempted to land a few blows, but Leo avoided or blocked them effortlessly. Her breathing became ragged as her movement was impatient and sluggish. Her energy depleting the longer this sparring continued.
When she saw an opening, she lunged at Leo with all her might, only for Leo to clutch her wrist and twist it behind her back. However, what Leo didn't expect when she slid her legs away from his hold and her free elbow connected to his jaw—Finally landing a blow on him.
Thanks to her small victory, Lyra swiftly took his arm and flipped him on his back, locking him in an armbar. A smile graced her lips as she could already smell victory. She was about to call him to end this farce, but the next thing that happened left her speechless.
Leo flipped his body in motion as he got out of the hold with precision and now straddled her on the ground. His breath labored as he stared down at her. He never expected her to have experience in combat at a level most seasoned warriors would have. He held a genuine smile as he looked at her with approval.
Letting out deep breaths, she should've known she was bound to lose, but she still smiled at the small victory of landing a strike on him. The rise and fall of her racing heart only skipped a beat when she heard clapping coming from Viktor.
"Should I clear the arena to let you both have some privacy?" Viktor called out, riling the few spectators to laugh.
Suddenly realizing their proximity, Lyra blushed profusely and broke away from Leo's gaze. She bit her lip as Leo stood up and rubbed his jaw where she struck.
Viktor chuckled, "Now that was entertaining!" he teased. He approached them and offered a hand to Lyra.
Up on her feet, she darted her eyes away in embarrassment. Viktor continued to jab at his friend, "She had you on the ropes for a second there, Leo." he squinted at Leo.
Leo shrugged, "I let her land that blow."
Viktor and Lyra furrowed their brows—not buying it. Liar. Viktor grinned at her and praised her, "He's just too prideful to acknowledge your skills."
"I wouldn't say I'm that great… I learned a lot from my grandfather," holding her hands up in being modest. Recalling the memories of harsh training and studying, she missed him dearly. Her smile seemed distant as she stared out.
"Great or not…you should give yourself some credit," Viktor patted her shoulder, she staggered by the force. "Not many people can counter his moves, especially firsthand," he added.
Lyra gawked at him before she glanced at Leo, who stretched his head from side to side. Was she capable of taking on people of his caliber? Nonsense! She shook her head. Her grandfather would be rolling in his grave if he saw the unbecoming of his granddaughter.
Leo heard their conversation and scoffed under his breath. He couldn't refute Viktor's words; it surprised him as she could hold her own even if he were holding back. It made him nervous rather than impressed. Has his strength weakened, or was her ominous power awakening? He was deep in thought when he noticed someone patting his arm. He looked back to see Lyra staring at him in concern.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"No…Continue without me. Something came up," Without looking back, Leo left. Lyra was left dejected with the cold answer from her opponent. Her shoulders slumped as her eyes cast at his retreating figure.
"Don't mind him, Lyra," Viktor took her hand and continued, "Come, let's train with the others." In Viktor's opinion, physical training was the best approach to breaking her out of her disappointed state of mind. Viktor understood Leo's grief, but could the man be any more honest about his approach to women?
The training session continued as Lyra practiced with Viktor and even participated in some group exercises with the other shifters. Despite the occasional teasing from Viktor about her encounter with Leo, Lyra gradually felt more at ease among the group. Among Viktor's pack, they were welcoming and understanding. Their connection to their primal animalistic side gave strength, while their human traits balance the mind. She sparred with another wolf shifter and was able to hold her own until Viktor called the match, declaring Lyra the winner. For a human, she gained respect among the shifters. Some were jealous but didn't hold a grudge against the woman. Being an esteemed guest of the alpha had its perks.
By the end of the day, she was dead tired. She lay flat on the ground, staring at the red sky with a tinge of orange and violet clouds, out of breath she could barely move. Viktor left as he was called on business, leaving her alone. At least she thought she was alone.
Her limbs stretched flat as she panted, her muscles ached, and she couldn't lift a finger. She closed her eyes as she basked in the calm breeze. It reminded her of home after a long day working with her grandfather and relaxing under a tree near her cottage. A stray tear slipped to the side of her eyes of the fleeting thought. Her heart panged at the fond memory that will forever stay buried beneath her grief. There was no home to return to. She wondered what would happen after she was brought to Eden—What then?
"What are you still doing here?" he noticed he misty eyes shimmered by the reflective of the light casting down. her drenched tunic hugged her frame as her chest rose and fell from exhaustion.
Lyra broke from her emotional thoughts to see Leo staring from the top of her head. He was dressed in a fresh white tunic and pants. She tried to turn her body only to wince at the ache of her muscles. She couldn't move an inch.
Reluctantly, she pleaded, "I…I can't move."
Leo sighed, and in the next moment, he knelt and picked her body up bridal style as if she weighed nothing. Her heart skipped a beat. She was held in his arms. She expected a snarky remark, but he said nothing as they returned to the mansion. His aloofness was present, but she didn't feel uneasy this time. She merely blushed, hiding her shy face in his firm chest.
After long pass as Leo walked down the corridor, with a bit of courage, Lyra asked, "Leo…Why do I need to go to Eden?"
She continued, "I understand I should follow you; I just need to understand that if I go there, what then?"
Pausing in his step, he knew she would ask sooner or later—it was only a matter of time. He decided to wait to answer until they were alone in their bed chamber. His pace resumed, and once they entered the room, he kicked the door shut, startling her.
"The council of Angels had ordered me to bring you there," he spoke, his muscles tensed as he closed his eyes in resignation. There was only one question to ask. He knew it was coming.
"Why?"
"…Because," He looked away. Taking a deep breath, he placed her gently on the sofa and sat beside her.
"Is the reason for taking me there regarding the prophecy the demons sought?" Lyra asked. Her chest felt tight, uttering the words. Troy's haunting words echoed in her heart as she stared at Leo.
Leo darted back to her as he hardened his gaze, making Lyra apprehensive. Instead of responding, he asked, "What do you remember to the best of your knowledge at Rasar Fortress?"
She fluttered her lashes as she remembered the traumatic experience. She bit her lip, trying to steel her resolve, and balled her hands into fists. In order to move forward, she would have to face her dark past, which wasn't too long ago.
She recounted the events to Leo, leading to her losing consciousness from Troy's devious act. However, she failed to mention the foreboding figure in her cell. She felt it was irrelevant and assumed it was a psychotic break she experienced.
Leo listened attentively and held a serious expression, his fists tightening. His arrival was uncanny, which puzzled him over the whole situation. He was correct that Lyra had no recollection of encountering him back at the fortress, and he would keep that information to himself for now.
After a moment of silence between them, Leo spoke, "The Council will help you in keeping you safe. The demons won't reach Eden, and you can start your life there."
Lyra met his gaze, searching for sincerity. "And what about you? Why are you involved in all this?" A new chapter in life sounds promising, and she would finally put the trauma of her past behind her. However, she couldn't understand how Leo played in all of this. His presence was beginning to grow on her the more they traveled together.
He held a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I have my reasons for being a part of this journey, and I promise to reveal them when the time is right. Trust me, Lyra, I'm not your enemy."
Trust was a treacherous bridge to cross, but Lyra had no reason to doubt him. His voice held conviction in them. She nodded and held a determined look, "I'll trust you, Leo, but trust goes both ways." She could only feel that their small conversation led them to understand one another.