Page 30 of Fated to the Damned

The clash of our blades echoes as we dance across the ring. A crowd gathers to observe the elder warrior schooling the youth.

I offer advice between blows. "Mind your footwork...close that opening on your left...patience is key in battle..." Theron nods, adjusting his technique.

But eagerness makes him sloppy. I knock him back again and again, exploiting weaknesses in his form that leave him open. The boy has fire, but much to learn.

Sweat drips down my bare chest, tracing over the dips along my muscles. I lose myself in the dance of combat, moving on instinct. Even in the temple, I was trained. We are all meant to be warriors, and when I do practice, my entire body hums with excitement.

This is what I was born to do.

With a final burst of speed, I sweep Theron's legs and press my blade to his throat. He taps out respectfully. I help him stand and clasp his shoulder.

"You have promise. But remember - a warrior's mind is as great a weapon as the steel in his hand."

Theron pounds a fist to his chest. "Impressive." He assesses me with a new gaze. “I think I could learn a thing or two from you.”

I nod approvingly as we leave the ring, several vrakken clapping one of us on the shoulder and murmuring words of encouragement as we pass by. This is another reason I come out here. It has bridged the gap between many vrakken and the temple to see me out here. I’m bringing honor to the First by using her gifts and showing others that I don’t have to live in the temple to praise my goddess.

As I exit the ring, winding down from the invigorating spar, I notice a familiar figure watching from the crowd.

Jessa stands off to the side, cheeks flushed. Our eyes meet for a heartbeat and I see undisguised longing in her gaze as she takes in my sweat-slicked, bare chest.

For a moment, I consider going to her, that one look enough to push me to my breaking point, before I clench my hands in frustration and stay rooted in place.

No matter how clearly we might desire each other, I cannot allow anything deeper to develop between us. As a vrakken, I must not muddle my blood with a human. We are growing weaker with each generation, and I have to put a stop to it.

Even if it’s the furthest thing from my mind these days.

Donning my shirt roughly, I stride off in the opposite direction from where Jessa departed. Being near her threatens the stoic control I rely on.

Physical passion fades in time, but my commitment to doing my sworn duty will remain steadfast. I must keep my distance from Jessa, for both our sakes.

Akeldama only knows what would happen if I let down that wall for even a second.

I’m afraid that I would never recover.

17

JESSA

“Temple boy’s got some moves!”

I’m jostled as I push through the crowd. The vrakken could be heard halfway through the courtyard as soon as Nikolai stepped into the training ring.

“Those wings will give him a real advantage.”

I shouldn’t be over here. I know that. He’s kept distance between us, and after our last searing kiss – a memory that lingers with me at all times – I decided that it was best to let him. It’s clear he intends on keeping us apart, and I don’t know if I could have taken the rejection any more.

It hasn’t stopped me from wanting him though…

Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment. That’s why I’m standing here in this crowd so I can drink in the sight of him shirtless and coated in sweat. Holy First, he’s hot. Otherworldly. My entire body feels like it is lit on fire as I stare at him, the way his muscles contract as he lunges forward, and those massive wings.

I want him. I want him more than I should.

Maybe that’s what pulled me to the temple at first. I was curious about the creatures I had ended up with, yes, but also, it was my way of being with Nikolai. But then, I learned of Akeldama and the First, and I became just as devoted to their god and goddess as I am to the man who won’t look me in the eye.

I’ve had to stand weeks of watching his sermons, admiring his devotion and carefully coiled strength without ever being too close to him. He’s let me work in the temple, but he shoved me with Lev, who is nice enough.

But he’s not Nikolai.

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