ft.
>
351 He Raised the Stakes Once More
351 He Raised the Stakes Once More
Meredith.
It has been three weeks since my siblings finally returned to Stormveil.
Three weeks since I had to practically plead with Draven to send them back because, for some oblivious reasons, he hadn’t wanted them
to leave.
The memory makes my stomach turn, not because I cared for Mabel or Gary, but because I needed them gone.
Having them in Duskmoor, under the same roof, was suffocating. I wanted them out of my sight, and begging was the simplest way to
make that happen.
A great deal had happened in these past three weeks.
Four groups of our people had returned safely to Stormveil. Draven ensured that, selecting the finest warriors to escort them and
leaving no detail unchecked.
And the Great Wall back home–the one that had felt like a dream more than a n, had finally beenpleted. Even from here, the
thought of it fills me with a strange pride, as if a part of me belongs to thatnd already.
My days had also fallen into a rhythm. Each morning, I ran. Sometimes with Draven at my side, sometimes with Dennis or Jeffery, and
sometimes alone when everyone else was upied.
The runs had grown easier, though my legs ached less, my breath evened out sooner, and my body responded in ways it never used to.
As evenings remained specifically forbat training, Dennis and Jeffery pushed me hard, sparring until sweat soaked through my
clothes, and my arms shook with exhaustion.
And when Draven arrangedbat duels between his warriors, I watched, learning from the things they do right, and especially from
the mistakes that end in quick defeats.
Every night, I felt myself growing stronger and sharper.
Everything has been moving smoothly, almost too smoothly, except for one thing. And that is the fact that Draven still refuses to duel
with me.
Not once in three weeks did he agree. Every time I asked, his answer remained the same: <i>not </i><i>now</i>.
I gritted my teeth just thinking about it now. I’ve trained with Dennis, with Jeffery, and I’ve pushed myself until my body screamed.
But if I am to stand beside Draven, if I am to truly learn, then I need to face him.
And his avoiding it feels like he is keeping something from me, holding back what I need most.
Today, I nned to bring it up again. Thankfully, he inquired me toe to his study, and that gives me the perfect chance.
My hands clench at my sides, my pace quickening with the frustration bubbling beneath my skin. If he says ‘no‘ again, I’m not sure I will
be able to hold my tongue this time.
14:38 C
<
351 He Raised the Stakes Once More
As I walked down the corridor already rehearsing the words in my head, I told myself that this time would be different, that I would <i>be </i>
able to convince him.
But just then, Valmora’s voice slithered into my mind, sharp enough to make my brow crease. “<i>You </i><i>are </i><i>no </i>match for <i>him</i>.”
“Are you not the one who has been urging me to push him for a duel? Why <i>are </i>you <i>saying </i>this now? Are <i>you </i><i>trying </i>to discourage <i>me</i><i>?</i><i>” </i>
“No,” she responded smoothly. “This is only a reminder, so you won’t lose <i>yourself </i>in <i>fury </i><i>when </i>he finally agrees to fight you<i>… </i>and you lose. Because Meredith, Draven won’t be treating you <i>like </i><i>his </i>mate on that training <i>ground</i>.”
I exhaled sharply through my nose, whispering under my breath, “Yes, yes. This is <i>the </i>tenth <i>time </i><i>you’ve </i>reminded me of <i>that </i>fact.”
“I couldn’t help it.”
Her tone was annoyingly self–satisfied. I shook my head and kept walking, my steps carrying me down the long corridor until I stood
before Draven’s study.
Then I knocked lightly on the door.
“Come in,” his voice rumbled from inside, steady andmanding as always.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. My eyes scanned the room, immediately settling on him–sitting in the sitting area, upright,
his presence effortlessly filling the space.
But Jeffery was there too, seated opposite him, their conversation interrupted by my arrival.
I paused mid–step, a flicker of disappointment tightening in my chest. ‘So I <i>wasn’t </i><i>the </i><i>only </i><i>one </i><i>he </i><i>had </i><i>summoned</i>.‘
With a soft inhale, I closed the door behind me and crossed toward them, my eyes briefly flicking to Draven before I shifted aside, choosing not to interrupt whatever discussion I had just walked into.
“You came at the right time,” Draven’s lips curved as he reached his hand out.
Jeffery whipped his head, inclining it respectfully. “Luna.”
I gave him a brief nod before slipping next to Draven on the same sofa. His warmth bled through the small space between us, but I
pushed past the distraction.
If I didn’t seize this moment now, he would drag me into whatever talk he and Jeffery were already buried in.
“I have something important to tell you,” I began-
But as soon as I started, a sharp knock on the door interrupted me off. Then it swung open.
I heard it close again a heartbeatter, then Dennis strolled in with thatzy confidence only he could wear.
He threw himself onto a single sofa, sprawling as though the room belonged to him.
Draven didn’t seem fazed. Instead, his golden gaze found mine again. “What is it you want to say?”
I drew in a breath, my heart steady but firm. “For this evening’s training… I want to duel with you.”
351 He Raised the Stakes Once More
His smile came easily, too easily. And with it, the familiar refusal. “Not now. This isn’t a good time”
My jaw tightened. “You’ve been saying that for weeks. Draven, I’ve trained with Dennis and with Jeffery. I’ve run until my lungs burned. I’ve bled on your training grounds. What else do you need to see?”
His eyes softened, but his voice remained steel. “Not now.”
I tilted forward, refusing to back down. “Then when?”
He uttered ‘not now‘ again, this time with a gentle but firm tone, but I pressed harder, reminding him that I wasn’t asking for kindness; I
was asking for the fight I deserved.
Finally, after hisst refusal, he sighed. His gaze sharpened, his voice measured. “If you want the opportunity to fight me, then first, you <fne668> Discover more novels at FιndNovel</fne668>
must kill a vampire.” 1
From the side, Dennis allowed out a low whistle.
I whipped my head toward him, scowling as annoyance bubbled in chest.
my
“You’ve raised the stakes again,” I muttered, staring back at Draven. “You’re moving the finish line every time I get close.”
Dennis grinned, loungingfortably as he said, “My brother is a hot cake.”
I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. “Don’t worsen my mood, Dennis.”
He only chuckled.
I turned back to Draven, who was watching me intently, unflinching. Then he lifted his hand, gesturing toward Dennis and Jeffery.
“These men have killed vampires on their own. If you can’t do the same because you’re afraid, then you are no match for me. You are not
worthy to fight me.”_1
<b>Comment </b>2
Leave the firstment for this chapter.
<b>Vote </b>
<b>16 </b>
<b>1 </b>
Fandom
Send <b>Gifts </b>
Show support to the author by leavingments when sending