The village was quiet now, the dark shimmer of the rift gone, the Riftbeast corpses strewn across the ground, slowly dissolving into nothingness. Jonas’s heart was still pounding, the adrenaline from the battle fading but leaving a strange, heady mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. He followed Grimm through the now-peaceful village, his eyes tracing the curve of her powerful form as she walked ahead.

Grimm wasn’t like any woman Jonas had ever met. She radiated an intensity that both intimidated and fascinated him, a combination of raw strength and unshakable confidence. Every movement she made was deliberate, commanding attention without even trying. Her skin, a deep emerald green, seemed to glow faintly in the dimming light, glistening with the sheen of sweat from the fight. Her broad shoulders and muscular arms rippled with power, the taut muscles beneath her leather armor flexing as she carried her massive war axe with ease.

But it wasn’t just her strength that drew Jonas’s eyes. There was an undeniable sensuality to the way she moved—her hips swaying slightly as she walked, her long braids falling over her back in a cascade of dark, glossy hair. Her leather armor hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her powerful thighs and firm waist. Even the scars that traced her arms and shoulders only added to her allure, telling stories of battles fought and survived. She was a warrior through and through, but there was something deeply, fiercely feminine about her that made Jonas’s pulse quicken.

Grimm glanced over her shoulder, catching him staring. A slow, knowing smile spread across her face, her tusks glinting in the soft light. "Something on your mind, kid?"

Jonas quickly averted his eyes, feeling his cheeks flush. "Uh… no. Just… thinking about the fight."

"Right," she drawled, her voice low and amused. She slowed her pace, falling in step beside him, her presence looming large and magnetic. "You did well back there, Jonas. Better than I expected."

Jonas cleared his throat, trying to focus on anything other than the heat radiating from her body so close to his. "Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without your training."

Grimm chuckled softly, her voice sending a shiver down his spine. "Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got a fire in you. I like that." She looked at him, her sharp eyes glinting with something that made Jonas’s breath catch. "Not many can handle their first Riftspawn battle and come out on top. You’ve earned your stripes today."

Her words made him swell with pride, but there was something more to her tone, something that hinted at more than just admiration. Jonas couldn’t deny the attraction anymore. He had felt it growing since the moment they met, but now, with the battle behind them, the tension between them seemed to crackle in the air like electricity.

As they walked toward the largest building in the village—a small, sturdy-looking tavern—Grimm’s hand brushed against his arm, a casual touch that sent a jolt of warmth through him. She seemed to notice, her grin widening.

"Come on," she said, her voice husky. "Let’s get you a drink. You’ve earned that too."

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They entered the tavern, the wooden interior dimly lit by flickering lanterns. The place was mostly empty, save for a few villagers huddled together in the corner, whispering in the aftermath of the Riftspawn attack. The bartender, a burly older man with a graying beard, gave them a nod of thanks as they approached the counter.

"Two ales," Grimm ordered, her voice commanding but relaxed. She leaned against the bar, her body language open and unguarded, her gaze still lingering on Jonas. The bartender quickly slid two mugs of frothy ale in front of them, and Grimm lifted hers in a casual toast. "To surviving your first real battle."

Jonas lifted his mug, his fingers brushing against hers briefly as he did. "To surviving."

They clinked their mugs together, and Jonas took a deep swig of the ale, feeling the cool liquid wash down his throat. It was stronger than he expected, but after the battle, it was exactly what he needed. The warmth of the drink spread through him, easing some of the tension in his muscles.

Grimm, however, didn’t take a sip right away. She watched him over the rim of her mug, her sharp eyes never leaving his face. There was a heat in her gaze now, something far more than the camaraderie of battle. Her lips curled into a slow, almost predatory smile as she finally brought the mug to her lips, taking a long, deliberate drink.

"You’ve got potential, Jonas," she said, setting the mug down and leaning in slightly. Her voice had dropped to a lower, more intimate tone. "You’re stronger than you think. And if you keep pushing yourself, you’ll get even stronger."

Jonas swallowed hard, his heart racing again—but this time, it had nothing to do with the fight. "I’m trying," he said, his voice a little rougher than he intended. "I just… I don’t know what I’m doing half the time."

Grimm reached out and placed a hand on his arm, her touch firm but not rough. Her fingers, calloused from years of battle, were warm against his skin. "You’re learning fast. And you’re not alone in this. You’ve got me to help you. To push you."

There was a weight to her words, a subtle promise that made Jonas’s stomach twist in the best way. He looked at her, really looked at her, and found himself caught in the intensity of her gaze. The heat between them was palpable now, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Grimm’s eyes flickered down to his mouth for a brief second before meeting his gaze again, her smile widening just slightly. "You know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "there’s more to surviving here than just swinging a sword. It’s about strength of will. Strength of body. You’ve got both." Her eyes glinted, and she added, "And I like that."

Jonas’s breath caught. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. The way she spoke, the way she looked at him—it wasn’t just admiration anymore. It was desire. And it was mutual.

Grimm leaned in even closer, her lips just inches from his ear. Her breath was warm against his skin as she murmured, "You’ve got fire in you, Jonas. Don’t let it burn out." Her hand slid down his arm, her fingers brushing against his wrist in a way that made his skin tingle.

Jonas swallowed, his mind racing. He could feel the heat of her body so close to his, the intoxicating scent of sweat and battle still clinging to her skin. His pulse thundered in his ears, his thoughts a whirlwind of want and confusion.

But before he could respond, before he could make sense of the emotions swirling inside him, Grimm pulled back slightly, her grin softening. "Come on," she said, her voice playful again but still thick with unspoken tension. "We’ve got more training to do tomorrow. You’re not done yet."

Jonas nodded, still dazed, but a small part of him couldn’t help but wonder what more she meant. He drained the rest of his ale and followed her out of the tavern, the cool night air doing little to quell the heat between them.

As they walked back to their camp just outside the village, side by side, the unspoken tension lingered. Every brush of her arm against his sent a jolt through his body, every glance she shot him made his heart race. He knew something had shifted between them, something undeniable, and while the night was quiet, the fire between them was only growing stronger.