I lunged with the sword, turned and ducked before striking a fatal blow. 

With my chest heaving, I glanced at Arion who smirked at me.

"Good job."

My cheeks flushed and I put down the wooden sword, longing for Rubin. The feel of it was different.

"You've been getting better."

"As I should." I affirmed. He chuckled.

Running a hand through his russet hair, he picked up his own sword. "Do you think you can now handle a real sword?"

His question made me want to snicker but I held myself back.

If only he knew how I'd been practicing with Rubin for the past one week since I discovered it in that room, he might change his mind.

When I'd first held it, the scary feeling of familiarity overwhelmed me. But when I tried just the basic moves I realized my muscle memory was acting differently because it performed such high-skill swordplay that I was left wide eyed.

Since then, after my morning trainings with Arion where he worked me to the bone, I visited the room and practiced with Rubin. I realized it comforted me in a strange sense.

I'd also been feeling like I was being watched. Sometimes it made me shiver in delight but sometimes it made my hackles rise with the sinister feeling it evoked within me.

I exchanged my wooden sword with a real metal one, wiping the sweat from my brow as I saw Arion twirl his sword.

"Let's have a try and see how well you can hold your own in a sword fight, Angel."

He didn't give me much time to process and I barely got the sword up in time to stop his.

I could tell he was restraining his power and I mean, for good reason. But I also couldn't work the same way I did with Rubin. Partly because the sword's significance was different and partly because I myself knew how many questions it would raise if I showed such good skills in such a short time without having worked on them with my only mentor.

Arion charged again and I took a step back, blocking his sword that was going for my side.

This was not fatal but it was a test and I couldn't be vulnerable either way.

So as we parried, I looked for an opportunity. He kept pushing me back, his eyes fierce.

"Is this all you have?" He taunted, barely out of breath but I didn't give in. I was still looking for my opportunity.

And when I found it, I grabbed it by the neck.

I moved to the side so his next sword move went straight through empty air. Meanwhile I entangled our swords, twisting my wrist until my the tip of my weapon was through the loop guard of the Fae King's sword.

For a second neither of us moved and then I found myself with my chin raised by Arion's sword.

I was breathing hard, body flushed with adrenaline.

His grey eyes stared into mine and he smirked, "That was smart. But I'm still better."

Of course he was.

He lowered the sword and took the weapon from me as well. I guess he still wouldn't entrust me with it.

I might not have won but that was never the point.

I gulped down some water and saw a drop of sweat trickle down his neck. Arion was in his shirt but it was so hot that it was soaked through with the sweat and now sticking to his skin.

The fact that it was white left even less to the imagination and I tried as discreetly as possible to watch those tempting muscles flex with each movement.

My hair was sticking to the back of my neck though it was braided and my form fitting pants has become a second skin as well. I realized my shirt must be just as soaked through and being a light blue in color was no better than white.

It was confirmed when I felt his burning gaze over my body and lifted my eyes to his.

He, unlike me, shamelessly continued to look me up and down. I felt a blush creep in and let out a breath, rubbing the jadeite ring anxiously and longing to get out of this situation just as much as I liked it.

I licked my lips and when his stormy eyes finally collided with mine, he took a few slow steps towards me. I stood still, watching him as he closed the gap between our bodies so our chests pressed together.

My breath caught in the back of my throat.

Arion's hands found the curve of my waist and his thumbs rubbed slowly. Teasingly. The heat of his hands on my body, his body on mine....I could feel my muscles tighten at the sinking knowledge.

My heart pounded against my ribcage and Arion's heated eyes weren't helping as I shifted slightly. That only managed to brush me up against him more and my sensitive breasts truly liked the feeling of his hard muscles.

As he cornered me, my hands flew to the edge of the table in order to get a grip and balance myself as he loomed over me.

I had to raise my eyes slightly and arch my neck upwards in order to look him in the eye.

Arion chuckled as I gasped softly at his actions and then his knuckles were against my cheek, rubbing almost affectionately but I knew that couldn't be.

In his eyes there wasn't just lust or intensity but an encompassing malice woven in.

One of his knees wedged between my clenched legs and I whimpered, a need coursing through me. His touch made my blood sing and my skin sizzle.

His lips hovered over mine but then he planted a kiss on my cheek, his slight stubble rubbing over my cheek in the process.

"You're such a fucking temptress."

His mumble was throaty and my hands that were clenching the edge of the table behind me shook slightly.

Arion's russet hair ticked my cheek as he kissed my jawline and trailed lower, softly biting on my sweet spot like he already knew where it was. I yelped, my nerves alive and my chest rose and feel.

He groaned, sucking on my tender skin and it reminded me of Damien. But then Arion's lips were on my throat, kissing softly and it was all I could focus on. I let go of the table to finally touch that russet looking hair of his.

"Fuck." He sounded just as breathless and his voice was tight.

There was a coarse feel to it but gods it felt wonderful and his lips traveled lower, his telekinetic powers opening a button of my shirt. My back arched and a breathless sound of pleasure left me.

We both froze.

The reality of the situation came crashing down. We both let ourselves go a bit too far.

Slowly, Arion retracted himself and gulped. I shook slightly, the need within me still not buried and I closed my eyes for a moment.

When I opened them, he was at a safe distance but his grey eyes were intently looking at me, pulling me into their swirling storms.

"If I lose control one of these days, you'll be to blame, Angel."

•○•

I was so confused.

I slashed with such force that all the air felt like it had whoosed out of the room. Rubin couldn't quell that burn inside me though.

The soreness of my muscles was amplified by the fact that I had had my cycle end just two days ago and it had been painful with cramps.

Problems of being human.

Seraphima being the kind soul she was had let me rest and provided me with the needed comfort and supplies. She had treated me so much like a friend that I couldn't help but feel my affection for her reaching a new level.

But now all my nerves were alive and my thoughts were jumbled.

I put down my sword, eyeing the ruby and took out my bejeweled dagger.

Then I proceeded to throw it hard into the wooden wall made solely for the purpose of target practice.

I gasped for breath and my muscles burned with exhaustion. My belly was taunt and my legs slender. But it had come at a cost I was willing to pay. I grabbed a sheath belt with ten knives in it and buckled it on.

On the count of three, I rapidly fired them to land around my dagger in a perfect circle.

And when I exhaled, my next inhale was not in my own body but the one in the vision.

Everything was blurry. More so like it was before I was involved in all of this after Lucien found me.

I gulped internally and saw lines around me drawn in white. I understood it was a five-pointed star.

I looked up at the first point to see dark eyes trained on me and a regal gown, a grace and depth I felt familiar.

The second point of the star had someone I felt like I should know but didn't.

The third gave me strong enough feelings of affection and a connection that the scene cleared for a moment and I saw the second and third star women give me smiles. I couldn't discern the emotions though.

The fourth end of the star had someone I couldn't feel anything for. No recognition or familiarity.

The fifth though, made me feel mixed emotions.

Then chanting started.

Even though internally I, Cara, was scared and a tad bit panicked....the person who I was looking through seemed to be in complete control of herself and the situation like she was prepared for it. She was calm.

But only on the outside.

Inside, I could feel the tempest raging within her. The emotions clouding her, the pain and love encompassing her beating heart.

Until it wasn't.

I blinked, releasing a long and shaky breath.

I realized my heart was beating faster than you could say beating. And my emotions were all over the place. I felt shaky and I wanted comfort.

Just then, Sera's voice infiltrated my thoughts. "Oh, so you're here!"

I whipped around to look at her and she smiled at me before her smile dropped a bit.

"You look a little pale, Cara. Are you alright?"

I nodded, chuckling nervously. "I'm fine, thanks for asking Sera. Just tired, I suppose."

This was the first time she came here but she knew I used to come to this place. Not like I was keeping secrets from her. I technically couldn't.

She nodded. "Take it all easy please. We don't want you to be overwhelmed."

Her words made me frown but before I could say anything, she turned back round.

"Meet me in the greeting room in an hour. I want you to meet Minister Isla. She returned."

"Oh. Uh, alright. I'll do so. Thanks."

I turned away and went to get my dagger out and back inside my thigh sheath.

I saw Sera stare at me for a moment, her eyes full of sadness and understanding. "Don't push yourself."

I hesitated slightly before I nodded and gave her a small smile.

She was no longer breaking down walls to get to me. I'd carved a door in the walls for her willingly.

I was taking a risk but I couldn't help it.

Just couldn't.

After about half an hour had passed, I stopped and rested before deciding to leave for the greeting room.

I adored this training room. It had a different feeling to it and all the weapons I could want to practice with. So far I'd only used knives, a few daggers, one katana and of course, Rubin.

And they were all in exceptionally pristine condition.

I took a minute to even my breathing and then left the room. It hadn't even been five steps for me before that scent of Lady Katherine's perfume filled my senses and I scowled.

What I saw next though, had me clench my teeth and bite the inside of my cheek subtly as I bowed my head.

Lady Katherine's arm was intertwined with King Arion's and he was smirking at her.

Well that is, until his eyes fell on me.

The tension in the air was palpable and thick enough that even my sword would perhaps fail at cutting through it.

Lady Katherine jovially smiled as they passed me and I kept my head down. Not like it made me unaware of Arion's sharp gaze.

Time and again....just after we would share something intimate I'd see him in compromising situations with the wench.

Once more, it felt like needles were sewing in and out of my heart, my head aching before the small questionable emotions diminished.

This feeling again, twisting my heart as if something wrong was happening.

I don't know where this anger is stemming from either because King Arion is know as a man of many tastes. A charmer who's bed is warmed by many on a regular basis. But for some reason now it doesn't settle well with me.

I heard him speak to me as I willed myself to remain emotionless. "Where were you?"

"The training room, Your Majesty." My reply was curt and I know he picked up on it.

"Let's leave, My Grace."

My Grace? More like My Ass.

Yet he didn't act on her not addressing him in the proper sense.

And why should he?

"We were just there as well. I didn't see you." Arion's eyes had to be narrowed, I could tell from the tone of his voice.

I internally scoffed. "The other one, Your Majesty."

"There's only one in this whole Palace, don't lie." Katherine's shrill voice - or perhaps it just sounded that way to me - was smug.

I looked up for the first time and she rose a brow when I stared her in the eye. "My apologies. I must be mistaken."

"Yes but then where were you?" Arion was impatient.

I bowed my head. "Forgive me, Your Majesty but the Princess has called on me. If you have questions about my whereabouts, she can confirm them."

With that, I kept my head lowered, eyes avoiding him as I walked past feeling the heat of his body and grinding my teeth.

I was not a slave anymore but a Handmaiden and it gave me different powers.

I heard them start walking again and the clicks of their shoes soon faded.

When I turned the corner, I stopped and rested my back on the wall, breathing harshly.

So nobody knows of the other training room?

I can tell for sure, Katherine wasn't lying. At least considering her knowledge of the Palace she lived in for who knows how many years.

However, Arion hadn't contradicted her claim either.

And it was easier for me to accept the truth now that it would've been six months ago.

I'd nicely managed to avoid an interrogation or accusation while gathering the fact that not everybody knew of the training room including the Fae King.

But Seraphima did. And So did I.

I was quite sure no one else did except Leon too obviously.

Sera hadn't batted an eye when she came to find me and saw me in the room just like when in the past she had clearly seen me having those visions and zoning out but had taken it in stride with no comments of suspicion or such.

Yet I trusted Seraphima now. And my doubts of the room being far too special were confirmed.

But right now, there was someone I needed to meet and it looked like it would be another pivotal point of my life.

So eradicating all thoughts of Arion and Katherine and the mystery training room and the strange as hell vision and far too many other things, I headed to meet this Lady turned Minister Isla.

I was not prepared.

•○•

AN~

Thank you so much for helping me cross 3.05K votes, guys! And we have almost reached 17K views! Yay! Thanks!

The votes and comments make my day so please don't stop or forget! ^^

And so....what do we think of Arion and Cara's heated moment?

Or the fact that the training room is somehow invisible?

And what do you think about that five star pointed vision? Plus there is the meeting with Minister Isla...hmm? Hehe. And how she feels when Katherine and Arion are together or as such?

Hope you enjoyed the chapter so please keep reading and vote and comment! I am halfway done with chapter 44 and only chapter 45 and Epilogue are now left. Mwahaha. Expect another update in a week. Hehe.

Stay safe then and till next time!

~Skyler