SWORDPLAY AND SECRETS

**Alivia POV**

I found myself standing alone in the woods, surrounded by the tall trees that swayed in the gentle breeze. My heart started pounding as a sense of unease crept over me. Suddenly, I heard a rustling in the bushes nearby, and I knew I was not alone. Emerging from the darkness was the figure of a man, his face shrouded in a black mask. I couldn't see his features, but I could feel his piercing green eyes staring into my soul. I tried to move away, but my feet felt rooted to the spot. The stranger stepped closer, and I break out into a cold sweat his gloved hand reaching out to touch my cheek. I shuddered at his touch but couldn't pull away. I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out. The stranger leaned in closer, his breath hot against my skin.

I jolted awake, my heart racing as I struggled to catch my breath. The sensation of the stranger's touch lingered on my cheek, making me shudder. I looked around my room, trying to shake off the dream, but the feeling of unease persisted.

The sound of metal clanging broke me out of my thoughts, fearing the worst I rushed out of bed. Shoving my feet into shoes my and raced outside. to find Adam, his muscles tensed and arms flexing as he parried and lunged with a sword. Lucian, slender and with a graceful presence, held his walking stick in one hand and a sharp blade in the other, dancing around Adam in practiced steps. Despite Lucian's gentle voice, his face hard with concentration and his posture tense with determination. There was an unmistakable air of authority about him that could only be earned through years of military experience. His skill-full moves and razor-sharp reflexes indicated at years of military experience at a high ranking.

Adam and Lucian eyed each other warily, each taking up a defensive stance. Adam's soft smile was matched by the twinkle in Lucian's eye, but the tension between them was palpable. I watched in awe as they continued their dance, their swords clashing and ringing through the air. It was clear that they were evenly matched, each anticipating the other's moves with lightning-fast reflexes. I couldn't help but wonder what had led them to this moment, and what kind of past experiences had forged them into such skilled fighters. As the intensity of their movements increased, I held my breath, not wanting to miss a single moment of their thrilling duel.

“Tired already, old man?” Adam taunted as he stepped forward.

Lucian lunged, sword drawn and ready to strike. “Who are you calling old man?” he roared.

Adam scrambled, barely managing to block his grandfather's attack with his own sword. In retaliation, Adam launched a spinning sword attack.

“Don’t do that,” Lucian chuckled as he swept Adam's legs with his cane and Adam fell backwards with a loud thud. A groan escaped his lips as Lucian pointed his sword at him.

“Have you become so rusty that you have forgotten rule number one?” Lucian asked, cocking his white eyebrow. “Never turn your back to the enemy!” he emphasized as he held out his hand and pulled Adam off the ground. My laughter cut through the tension and both Adam and Lucian turned to me.

“Is something funny” Adam asks, pinning me with a death stare.

“No not at all” I said, trying to hold in my laughter

“Spit it out,” he demanded.

Adam's gaze was so intense I almost felt like I was burning under the intensity of it. His eyes narrowed and his eyebrows drew closer together as if he was trying to read my soul. I tried my best not to show any sign of weakness as he stepped closer and closer until I could feel his breath fanning across my face, and I felt my heart rate increase. I swallowed nervously, searching his face for any sign of anger, but instead saw a hint of amusement. His lips curled into a faint smirk, and I was surprised to hear a low chuckle come from him.

“Is that a challenge now?” he asked in a low voice, his lips barely moving. His eyes sparkled with mischief, and I felt my cheeks flush in response.

Taking a deep breath, I held his gaze, not wanting to back down. “Maybe,” I replied with a smirk,

“Are you sure you can take me on without having to hide behind doors?” His voice was low and rumbling, and his breath tickled my ear as he spoke. My face burned with embarrassment as he stepped back and awaited my response.

My eyes widened as his slight; amused tone sent a shock of adrenaline through my body. My hand shot out and grabbed the hilt of the sword from his hand. I reached his body in a single, powerful step and rotated the sword swiftly, aligning it dangerously close to his face. A silent battle of will ensues as he stares at me with a combination of surprise and amusement. I grit my teeth and maintain my position, ready to fight despite the flicker of warmth that spreads through my chest. He lifts his hands in surrender and releases a soft chuckle.

My heart jumps in my chest as we lock gazes, and a soft chuckle escapes his lips. An unrecognizable emotion stirred within me. But I stood still, determined to show no mercy, until his grandfather's voice shattered the silence. I blink rapidly, feeling my grip on the sword weaken as fear sets in - if it had been one of step-monsters’ generals, I would have been doomed.

“Young lady, where did you learn that fighting technique?” he inquired with furrowed brows, as if he was trying to decipher a puzzle.

I wanted to tell him about the many afternoons spent training with my father, but I bit my tongue, not wanting them to learn of my true identity and compromising both theirs and my safety in the process.

“My master taught me” I replied, a half-truth in the literal sense. My father was my master, considering everything I had learned was from his teachings.

“And where is your master now?” He asked sceptically, his eyebrows knotted together as if he was not buying my story.

A lump formed in my throat as I uttered the words “He's no longer in this world,” sadness beginning to swell inside of me.

“Mmm," he murmured rubbing his chin as his gaze met mine.

“Why do you ask?” My curiosity got the better of me as I awaited his response.

He slowly replied, “Your stance and technique, they're almost identical to the King's.” His eyes studied my face intently.

My jaw dropped in shock. “You know the King??”

A smile quirked onto his lips “Who do you think taught him?” With that he spun on his heel and walked away towards the main house
When the words left his lips, my eyes widened in shock. I had heard tales from my father of the man who trained him, who had been a formidable warrior, General Lucian Mason- the head of my grandfather’s army. The man who had fought and won hundreds of battles before my father became king, only to be injured and soon after left the kingdom. The legend said he had started his own pack, and now here he was, in this place.