Chapter 8: Chapter 8

“Damon, what part of being nice to her don’t you understand? She just got out of the sick bed, how do you expect her to carry this sword?”

Megan shook her head in disgust at her brother’s rude attitude and took the sword from Belinda .

Belinda ’s eyes widened in shock as she saw Megan lift the sword without falling to the ground.

“How… how did you…” She stammered in awe.

“Why do you look so surprised? I have been training since I was five, Belinda . I’m used to the weight of all the swords here. But you? I bet you have ever lifted one.”

Megan gave Belinda her hand and helped her stand to her feet. “I’ll get you the small sword. Ignore Damon, he’s super annoying.” She whispered in Belinda ’s ear.

Belinda nodded and kept her head bowed. She waited for Megan to return with the smaller sword.

Damon moved closer to her and said; “Why do you even need to train? Do you want to be engaged in any fights in the future?” He asked, and she raised her head and looked at his face.

She gulped hard and shook her head. “I just want to know how to fight, so I can defend myself from enemies and bullies.”

Damon nodded and began to walk away.

“There are rules to sword fighting. One, Don’t get hit. Void, block, or choke your opponent and whatever, but don’t get hit.”

After speaking, he turned around to look at Belinda , and he caught her staring at him. She seemed to pay rapt attention to what he was saying.

“Two. Hit your target. Hitting your target is what you are trying to do. Three. Look damn good while doing it.” He added with a little smirk.

Belinda nodded eagerly and took the small sword Megan stretched to her. “This should be easier to carry.”

Belinda lifted the sword, though it was pretty heavy, it was nothing compared to the first one Damon gave her.

“It’s better, yeah?” Megan asked, and Belinda nodded.

“Yes, it is.”

“Good. Now that you have the smallest sword in the whole kingdom in your hand, let’s start. Follow me.” Damon ordered and turned to leave.

Belinda looked at Megan fearfully, and Megan gave her a reassured nod. “I’ll be going with you.”

Belinda and Megan walked behind Damon as he led them out of the training room, into a large field.

On the field, there were about seven targets used to practice arrow-shooting. There were also standing dry plants weaved and molded into the shape of a human body with a head.

Damon stood in front of one of these plants and pulled out his sword. Megan did the same and told Belinda to do that too.

“Now listen carefully, before you start to fight, you have to access your environment. The awareness of where you are can help you assess possible disadvantages and help you turn these disadvantages to advantages.” Damon uttered.

Megan looked at Belinda and realized how confused she was. “What Damon is trying to say is, be conscious of where you are. Obstacles that could prevent you from fighting well.”

“Oh.” Belinda murmured and bobbed. “Got it.”

“Secondly, grab the sword with both hands and lift it, facing your target. Make sure your grip is pretty tight. Your elbows should be bent and close to your body.”

Damon demonstrated as he taught, Belinda had her eyes on him and did exactly what she saw.

“You’re doing well, Belinda .” Megan said, and Belinda smiled excitedly.

‘Maybe Prince Damon isn’t the worst teacher after all.’

“Megan !” Someone called from inside the training room. It was Yolanda.

Megan looked at the window and saw Yolanda waving at her. She waved back excitedly and looked at Damon.

“I have to go now. Take good care of Belinda , and be nice!” She said, and turned to look at Belinda . “I’ll be in the training room if you need anything. Remember, I’m rooting for you.”

Belinda smiled and bounced her head. She stared at Megan as she ran to meet Yolanda.

“You can go and meet her if you want.” Damon uttered coldly, and Belinda quickly looked away from Megan and faced the target.

“I’m sorry.” She muttered.

“Let’s go on.”

*

“Yolanda, are you here to train?” Megan asked as she entered the training room and approached Yolanda.

“No, I’m here to see you.” She pulled Megan closer and planted a kiss on her lips. Megan ’s eyes widened and she looked around.

“Yolanda, we are outside. People are around. What if we get caught?” Megan asked and stepped away from her.

“I’m sorry, okay! I’ve been missing you so much these days. You hardly visit me like you used to.” Yolanda pouted and walked to the window again.

She folded her arms on it and rested her head, staring at Damon and Belinda as they trained.

“I’m sorry, Yolanda. It has ended already. Belinda is now back on her feet, she is taking lessons already, we’ll have more time to ourselves.”

“Just as you promised?”

“Yes, Yolanda, just as I promised. I’m sorry for not giving you the attention you crave for the past one week.” Megan apologized.

Yolanda smiled and bounced her head. She looked at Megan and said; “I know you care so much for her, because of all that she’s been through. But, I’m very happy you’re back to me for good. I almost thought she would snatch you away from me.”

“What? C’mon Yolanda, Belinda isn’t gay.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“No, but…”

“You can’t just guess her sexuality, Megan . The way she looks at you, she’s always so happy when she’s around you, her eyes sparkles when you look into her eyes. I see everything, Megan .”

Belinda sighed and reached for Yolanda’s hands, she took them in hers and gave them a light squeeze.

“It is like that with her because she sees me as her savior. She sees me as an elder sister and someone she can always look up to. It isn’t what you’re thinking.”

Yolanda exhaled and took her hands from Megan . She folded her arms and shrugged.

“I trust you, but I don’t trust her. What if she likes you? She came in for just a week and she could make you stop giving me attention.” She pouted.

Megan chuckled and shook her head.

“Stop being jealous, Yolanda. We have been together for three years, why will some I met a week ago steal me from you? I love you, Yolanda and I want to be with you, only you.”

Yolanda smiled widely and nodded. She looked at Megan and moved closer to her. She moved her mouth to her ear and whispered; “Do you know what I want to do now?”

Megan ’s eyelids fell and rose weakly as she felt Yolanda’s breath on her ear.

“I want to rip this cloth from your body and eat you out till you scream my name.” Yolanda bit her earlobe and a slight moan escaped Megan ’s mouth.

Yolanda moved her face away from Megan ’s and looked at each other with lust and desire.

“I want you now.” Megan murmured, staring at Yolanda’s lips.

“Good. Meet me in my chamber soon.” Yolanda winked at her after speaking and headed out of the training room.

Megan bit her lower lip and looked at Damon and Belinda through the window. She looked away and hurriedly followed behind Yolanda.

*

“Your grip on the sword is not tight, Belinda , that is why you can strike the target as hard as you can. Tighten your grip.” Damon uttered.

“I’m trying, Prince Damon. My palms are throbbing.” Belinda ’s voice quivered as she spoke. Tears heated her eyes and they began to roll down her cheeks.

She felt she was too weak to ever face anyone. She was scared she would disappoint King Talos because she has never summoned the courage to fight anyone back before.

‘I can’t do it. I’m weak and will never get better at this. What was I thinking?’

Damon saw her sobbing, and he clenched his jaw. ‘Why is she crying? Was I too hard on her? It’s her first time doing this, Damon, be nicer.’

Damon let out a sigh and dropped his sword. He moved closer to her and stood behind her. Belinda cleaned and shut her eyes

“I’m sorry. I cannot…”

She forgot the remaining words to complete her sentence when she felt Damon embrace her from behind. He placed his head on her right shoulder, and moved his hand to hers from behind.

“Lift the sword, I’ll assist you in holding it.” He uttered.

His voice overwhelmed her because of how close he was to her. Her lungs forgot to pump out her for some minutes after his strong hands touched hers.

She could perceive his hair cream, she could feel his well-built torso muscles on her back. She kind of felt protected in his arms.

“Lift the sword, Belinda . Stop zoning out.” He added, and Belinda shook her head back to reality. She blinked severally and raised the sword, just like Damon asked her to.

He held her thin hands against the sword and tightened her grip on it with his help.

“Now, we will take a step forward… together.” He said to her and she nodded.

“One, two, three… move.” He ordered and they both moved forward without difficulties.

“You see? You just need to follow my lead, and you’ll be fine.” He looked at her face as he spoke, his mouth was so close to her cheek that she thought he was going to end up kissing her.

‘Belinda , focus! Don’t be stupid!’ She yelled in her head, and nodded as a response to Damon’s statement.

“Now, we are going to strike.” He let go of her hand and reached for her right thigh, he slowly moved her right leg backward, helping her maintain the right position for attack.

As Belinda felt Damon’s touch on her thighs, her feet weakened and cold shivers ran down her spine.

“Don’t forget to keep your grip tight. On my count, you aim for the neck. One… two… three… strike!” He ordered, and Belinda threw the sword at the neck of the target without hesitation.

To her great surprise, the sword easily went through the neck and the head fell off.

“Wow.” She uttered in shock.

“I told you. It’s not that hard.” Damon answered with a smirk, and she nodded, keeping her head bowed in shyness.