Page 51 of Born of Blood and Thorns

"Where are Alastair and Lore off to?" I asked but already knew the answer. They were most likely training at this time of day, honing skills they had once needed in battle. Or at least Lore had. Alastair, from what I could gather, had been a hunter.

I finished my meal, and Alysha gave me a sly wink as I headed out the door. Billy's grumbles filled the space as I left. I was sure some of the grumbles were meant for me since I missed our morning perimeter check.

I moved toward the training ground, already hearing what I knew I would: the sound of clanking steel against steel. As I turned the corner of the castle, I saw them there. Both had their shirts off and were sweating heavily. It was Lore where my eyes traveled to, and I couldn't look away. I thought about what we shared late in the day yesterday and this morning, and I felt my face heat as it spread through my body. I no longer sought a way to escape or kill him.

If I had to spend centuries stuck with him in a curse, I would endure it for him. I knew we didn't have the luxury of that. Something was changing, and it wasn't for the good. I watched from a distance for a bit, watching as his muscles rippled and caught the sun, how his body moved with fluid, graceful steps. How he was a weapon himself. The way he moved so naturally. I envied that ability.

It was Alastair who gave my presence away. "Look who's come to gawk at us," he teased, a sparkle of humor glimmering in his eyes. "Do you think she likes my muscles?" His lips stretched in a big grin as Lore slammed his sword into his with more force, causing Alastair to fall backward. Lore stood over him, sword poised at his neck.

"Yield," Lore growled with deadly intent as if their fight had been real.

Alastair's eyes flared momentarily as he stared up at him, quickly throwing up his hands. "I yield."

I marched over, grabbing a sword from those propped and ready for use. The months of training with them both had made me an adequate fighter. I was not even close to being as good as them, but I was better than I had been when I’d started.

Lore turned toward me, preparing to begin training with me, but I shook my head, pointing at Alastair. "I'll fight him."

Alastair smirked. "Told you it was my muscles she was staring at."

I rolled my eyes at him and got into position to fight. The clang of steel on steel echoed through the yard as we practiced until sweat dripped off our brows and down my back. Lore was quiet and seemed lost, deep in thought, and plagued by worries.

I wanted to ask him what was wrong, to reach out and take some of the burden from his shoulders. I knew it would be like all the other times. He would push me away, and I'd have to chase him down again. Instead, after my arms grew weary, I excused myself from training, ready to do some light reading and hoping I found some answers this time.

So I escaped into the library I now felt I could claim as my own.

The stillness of the castle grated on me as I restlessly paced its empty halls. After a month of being here, I'd searched every inch of this place. There was nothing here. Yet, as I lit the candle and began my search, my mind kept returning to the chilling prophecy I had uncovered months before.

"When crimson blood stains the silver moon, the end shall come. Only the sacrifice of the cursed fated love will renew..."

I shuddered, the cryptic words echoing through me. Lore was convinced the curse was unbreakable, our fate doomed. If that was the sacrifice required—the life of his true love in exchange for the kingdom's freedom. We were doomed before we had even started because if one thing was sure, a half-vampire like me was not his fated love.

What if it was wrong? I refused to accept just one fate, one finality, when there could be a better ending.

I sank down amid the shelves, wrestling with the terrible proposition. Could I willingly lay down my life, even for Lore? Unbidden images of our passion flashed through my mind. I recalled the silken warmth of his skin pressed to mine, the exhilaration of our bodies joined in sweet harmony.

Yes, I realized with dawning certainty. I could sacrifice everything for one more stolen moment in Lore's arms. Without him, life held no meaning. That realization made me drop the book in my hands, and horror washed over me. Somewhere along the way, I'd begun to love Lore.

The creak of a floorboard startled me from my brooding. I hastily composed myself before facing Lore, hiding the turbulence within. His eyes pierced mine, azure orbs reflecting the same hidden burden.

At once, I knew with resounding clarity that our fate had been sealed long before this night. I would gladly embrace the fire and ash to save him, even if it meant defying the bitter prophecy written in my blood. Lore was my destiny, and I was his.

Though I had vowed once to take Lore's life, now the thought of losing him ripped my heart to shreds. How had this callous dragon shifter breached my defenses? I knew, with resounding clarity, that I would give my life if it spared him endless torment. When had his fate become so entwined with my happiness? Our story could only end in tragedy, yet how could I turn my back on my sworn enemy when he desperately needed me?

I would find a way back to him, I silently swore. Let the moon goddess rage—she could not keep us apart.

The die had been cast. When the time came, I would offer my life to free Lore's kingdom. For him, any price was worth paying. Tonight, I would reclaim my fate.

The air was thick with tension as Lore and I checked our weapons for the third time. We both felt it—the sky darkened as something wicked approached, and tonight's blood-red moon rose.

Lore had gathered swords, axes, and bows in grim preparation. His mouth was set in a tight line, his eyes steeled for the coming battle. He refused to tell me why he was sure an attack would come that night. I could see the concern etched in the corded muscles of his back as he stared out the narrow window.

Something had shifted these last months, and an unspoken understanding was passing between us. Enmity had turned to friendship and something more. An undercurrent of heat was now charging our every interaction. My feelings ran more profound than mere attraction. Lore remained stoic, keeping himself barricaded away despite the pull between us.

Even with the tension in the air, his nearness pulled my thoughts back to the moment we were in each other's arms. How it felt to be one with him and lose myself in his touch, and the feel of him as he moved within me.

It felt right, like some piece of myself I never knew had been missing had finally found where it was meant to be.

As if he had heard my thoughts, Lore flicked his eyes to mine, our gazes locking together and holding as if our hearts were calling out to each other through the windows of our souls. For a brief second, his eyes flashed crimson as if his dragon was also answering the call. He tore his gaze away, and I felt a coldness creep in.

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