Chapter 26

Darius grasped hard on the grip of his pariser. He swung his pariser up, aiming for his instructor’s head. The instructor quickly bent down and surprisingly thrust his pariser towards Darius’s torso. Darius swiftly shifted sideways, steering clear of his instructor’s tricky move. Without hesitation, Darius, grabbed his instructor’s arm, twisted it and pinned him down.

The instructor punched the side of Darius’s head with his free hand. Darius then took his pariser and aimed the tip beneath the instructor’s chin. With the instructors pariser lost from his hands, he had no trick up is sleeves. Darius was particularly good that evening because of his inner rage.

“Calm down Darius,” said Darius’s fencing instructor, Amalric. With those words, Darius immediately stood and helped Amalric up too. Darius then began to take off his gloves and his fencing jacket.

“ Forgive me. I am not myself this evening,” said Darius as he started to toy around with his pariser.

“Anger and wrath seems to be surrounding you,” replied Amalric as he packed his fencing attire into his bag.

“ Can you offer me some advise as to how am I suppose to get rid of all this fury?” asked Darius, trying really hard to no disrespect his instructor with his vindictive remarks.

“ I am not good with giving guidance. But let me tell you one thing, stay away from the Valerian. I do not want you to hurt anybody especially yourself,” he said as he stood by the door. Darius smirked at Amalric’s words. He was thinking of practicing on the Valerian when Amalric left. It has been a long time since he held that magnificent sword.

“Thank you anyway but you of all people should know how stubborn I am,’ replied Darius as he place back the pariser with the others.

“ Take care of yourself Darius,” he said seriously to him. Amalric knew that Darius always had a hard time controlling his emotions. He was the best swordsman when he is emotional but at the same time it was very dangerous. With one last look, Amalric left.

Darius walked to wooden embroider case at the end of the empty hall. Inside the glass casing lay proudly was the Valerian sword that has been passed down in his family for generations. The pommel of the sword was made from pure gold and above the cross-guard was his family crest. It shined and glowed like it just had been made that very evening.

“Are you going to pick it up?” said a seductive voice. Darius turned around and his sight fell on a pair of daring ocean eyes. Harlow’s head was cocked to one side and her lips were shaped into a combination of a pout and smirk. A beguiling habit that she does when she’s eagerly waiting for an answer and would not stop until she gets it.

“As much as I want to, I keep thinking of the last time I did pick it up. It was an unwise action that brought forth the unintentional spilling of blood,” he replied, but his obstinacy still wild inside his mind.

“There were a lot of stories about that notorious day, the epic battle between a Cuza and an Everard. As unwise as it may be, there was no doubt that it was satisfying for you. You do not regret slicing Jesse’s collarbone, do you?” asked Harlow as she walked towards him.

“Honestly, I do not regret it,” he said finally and continued to stare at the sword.

“Then there is no harm in picking it up right now,” she said, drawing closer to him.

“If I do pick it up, what am I going to do with it?” he asked as he looked into those burning eyes. Harlow gave a tantalizing smirk and leaned in closer to him. She placed her hands on his shoulder and brought her lips closer to his ear.

“Just pick it up,” she whispered and with her free hand she grabbed hold of the sword that was mounted on the wall, right above them. She swung it around and pointed the tip right between Darius’s eyes in lightening speed.

Darius kept a straight face and did not seemed shocked at all. Darius pushed the sword aside and face the glass casing. He waved his hand beneath the casing and the glass top instantly turned black. Moving green wave frequencies were displayed on the black top. Darius said his name and the green frequencies turned blue and in a few second the black top pulled back, revealing the magnificent sword.

He picked it up and traced his fingers on the fuller of the sword. Embedded on the fuller of the sword were round cut sapphires and rubies. Darius lifted the sword in front of his face and examined it with pride. It has been a long time since he held it.

As the beauty of the sword momentarily distracted him, Harlow took a swing at him above the head. But Darius being the quick person that he is obstructed the sword with his very own. Harlow stepped back and crouched down a little for balance, ready to attack again.

Swiftly she then struck her sword to the side but Darius parried it off. She turned around and thrust her sword on the other side. Darius blocked the sword thrust from the bottom and gave a step back. They both went on with their dangerous combat, their swords precisely parrying each other’s move.

In a strong moment, Darius kicked Harlow’s left foot, making her body unstable. But before she hit the ground, Darius caught her with his free hand. Harlow immediately swung her arms around Darius’s shoulder, to keep her from falling on her back. Darius was panting for breath from the fighting that he did not strike back.

With her arms firmly around him, Harlow could not resist. She leaned in and planted her lips to his. Darius stood still for a few seconds but eventually gave in. He missed the intensity and lust of being kissed. He put aside everything around him. He was just happy to be distracted, to have no worry in the world for once. He forgot everything and everyone that moment and embraced it as much as he can.

Harlow dropped her sword and brought him closer. Their lips moved with each other that made Harlow feel all the sorrow inside of Darius. From that instant, she was determined to heal him.