The Curse Of The Midnight Rose

Ravenna stirred awake to the smell of roasting meat wafting through the crisp morning air. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the golden light streaming through the trees. She reached out instinctively but felt only empty space beside her. Damien was gone.

Memories of the previous night flooded her mind—the wolves, the fire, the way Damien had stood between her and danger, unyielding. A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she recalled his calm reassurance.

Pulling herself upright, she stretched her stiff limbs and followed the smell. She emerged from the tent to find Damien crouched by a small fire, carefully turning a skewer of roasted rabbit. His dark hair caught the sunlight, giving him an almost ethereal glow.

"Good morning," Damien said without looking up.

"Good morning," Ravenna replied, her voice soft and a bit groggy. Her stomach rumbled audibly, betraying her hunger.

Damien smirked, glancing up at her. "Hungry, I take it?"

Ravenna laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I suppose I am. That smells amazing."

He handed her a piece of roasted rabbit on a wooden skewer, his expression warm. "Eat up. You'll need your strength for today."

Ravenna took a bite, savoring the smoky, tender meat. It was a simple meal, but in that moment, it felt like a feast.

"Where did you even find this rabbit?" she asked between bites.

Damien chuckled. "While you were still asleep, I set a trap nearby. Lucky for us, it worked."

Ravenna nodded, impressed. "You're full of surprises."

They ate in companionable silence, the forest alive with birdsong and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. For a brief moment, it felt like they were just two people enjoying a normal morning, far removed from the dangers that surrounded them.

When the meal was finished, Damien leaned back against a tree, his gaze thoughtful. "We've covered a lot of ground since we started traveling together," he began, his voice tinged with a rare softness.

Ravenna tilted her head, curious. "What's on your mind?"

"You've changed," Damien said simply, his dark eyes meeting hers. "You're stronger now, more confident. I've seen it in the way you carry yourself, the way you face challenges."

Ravenna felt her cheeks warm under his scrutiny. "I've had a good teacher," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Damien's expression softened further. "Maybe. But strength like yours was already there. It just needed a reason to come out."

She looked away, a bit flustered by his words. "Well, I still have a lot to learn."

"And we'll keep learning," Damien assured her. "Starting with this."

He stood, brushing off his hands, and retrieved a pair of practice swords from his pack. Ravenna's eyes lit up at the sight.

"Another lesson?" she asked, already rising to her feet.

Damien nodded. "You're improving, but there's always room to grow. Let's see how much you remember from the first time."

They moved to a small clearing nearby, the sunlight filtering through the trees casting dappled shadows on the ground. Damien handed her one of the swords, its weight familiar in her hands.

"Ready?" he asked, his tone teasing but serious.

Ravenna grinned, taking a defensive stance. "Always."

They began to spar, the clash of their blades ringing out in the quiet forest. This time, Ravenna moved with more confidence, her strikes faster and more precise. Damien tested her relentlessly, pushing her to anticipate his moves and adapt.

"You're getting better," he said, dodging one of her swings with a smirk. "But don't get cocky."

Ravenna laughed, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll show you cocky."

She lunged, forcing Damien to parry quickly. Their movements became a dance, each step and swing flowing into the next. Despite the intensity, Ravenna found herself smiling.

Finally, Damien called for a break, lowering his sword and stepping back. Ravenna was breathing heavily, her hair damp with sweat, but her grin was triumphant.

"You're a quick learner," Damien said, his tone genuinely impressed.

Ravenna shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I have a good teacher, remember?"

Damien chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough. But don't let it go to your head. You've still got a long way to go."

As they walked back to the camp, the air between them felt lighter, more relaxed. For the first time in a long while, Ravenna felt a sense of peace—a fleeting moment of normalcy in a world that seemed determined to tear them apart.

But deep down, she knew it wouldn't last. Danger was always lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike. And when it did, she would be ready.