The first rays of dawn broke through the dense canopy, casting golden light over the camp. Ravenna stirred, her body cocooned in the blanket Damien had wrapped around her the previous night. Her mind was hazy, and as she opened her eyes, memories of the prior evening came rushing back—the shadow beast, the glowing flower, and Damien's unwavering determination to protect her.
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she also remembered the way he had cradled her afterward, reassuring her she was safe. It was something she didn't think she could easily forget.
She stretched, glancing around. The fire from the previous night had died down, but the soft crackling of a new fire caught her attention. Damien was crouched near the edge of the camp, turning a spit over the flames. The scent of roasting meat wafted through the air, and her stomach growled loudly, betraying her.
Damien chuckled without looking up. "Good morning to you, too."
Ravenna rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up, her face hot with embarrassment. "Good morning. I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"You used a lot of energy last night," he replied, slicing a piece of the meat and placing it on a small wooden plate. "Here. You need to eat."
She accepted the plate with a small smile, her fingers brushing against his briefly. "Thanks."
As she bit into the tender meat, the flavors exploded on her tongue, and she couldn't help but sigh in satisfaction. "This is amazing. Did you catch it this morning?"
Damien nodded, sitting across from her. "I figured we could both use a decent meal after what happened."
Ravenna hesitated, her gaze dropping to the plate in her hands. "About last night… thank you, Damien. For everything. I don't know what I would've done without you."
He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he gave her a small smile. "You're stronger than you think, Ravenna. But you don't have to face everything alone."
Her chest tightened at his words, and she looked up to find his eyes on her, warm and steady. For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them.
"I'll try to remember that," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Damien gave her a nod, then stood, brushing off his hands. "Finish your meal. We have some time before we continue, and I thought we could go over some techniques again."
Ravenna grinned, grateful for the change in topic. "You mean you're giving me another lesson? Didn't I impress you enough last time?"
He smirked, grabbing his sword from where it rested against a tree. "You're getting better, but you still have a lot to learn."
After finishing her breakfast, Ravenna joined Damien in the clearing. He handed her a practice sword, his demeanor shifting into that of a teacher.
"All right," he began, circling her slowly. "Show me what you remember from last time."
Ravenna adjusted her grip on the sword, her feet moving into the stance he had taught her. She swung the blade in a fluid arc, her movements more confident than they had been during their first lesson.
"Not bad," Damien said, his voice laced with approval. "But your footing needs work. If you're not balanced, you'll be easy to knock down."
He stepped behind her, his hands gently adjusting her stance. His touch was firm but careful, and Ravenna found herself acutely aware of how close he was.
"Like this," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
She nodded, focusing on his instructions despite the fluttering in her chest. With his guidance, she practiced a series of strikes and blocks, each movement becoming smoother and more precise.
"You're a quick learner," Damien said after a while, stepping back to watch her. "But remember, it's not just about strength. Strategy and precision are just as important."
Ravenna smirked, her confidence growing. "So, does that mean I'm ready to take you on?"
Damien raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Is that a challenge?"
"Maybe it is," she replied, gripping her sword tightly.
He chuckled, raising his own blade. "All right, then. Let's see what you've got."
They sparred, the clang of their swords ringing through the clearing. Ravenna put everything she had into each strike, determined to prove herself. Damien was faster and more experienced, but she managed to keep up, her determination fueling her.
Finally, she saw an opening and lunged, her blade aimed at his side. But Damien sidestepped at the last second, catching her wrist and disarming her in one swift motion.
"Not bad," he said, his voice low as he held her gaze. "But you still have a lot to learn."
Ravenna panted, a mixture of frustration and admiration bubbling within her. "You're impossible."
Damien grinned, releasing her wrist and stepping back. "And you're stubborn. That's not a bad thing, though."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. As much as she hated losing, she had to admit she was learning a lot from him.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of training and laughter, the tension from the previous night easing. For the first time in a while, Ravenna felt a sense of normalcy, however fleeting it might be.
But deep down, she knew their journey was far from over. And with each passing day, her bond with Damien grew stronger, weaving a connection that neither of them fully understood yet.