Averan wiped a large paw across his back, blood came freely when he looked back on it. The sight of it filled him with fury and he had to focus intently to keep his Chimera from lashing out. Opposite him Alisha readied herself once more. Averan had happily agreed to train with her, he’d done it often enough with Sandorn to know how and what best to do for effective training.

He had taken it easy so far and clearly paid the price for it. That was the second time now that she’d caught him, first with a claw this time with a horn. She was more like Sandorn in her fighting style, relying on speed and agility than force.

She smiled at him, but Averan didn’t smile back. She was clearly enjoying the training, a little too much. Averan decided he needed to show just a little of what he was truly capable of. As he too readied himself he subconsciously reminded himself to still hold back a little. Part of him didn’t want to though, a worryingly large part. He fought against it.

Alisha charged, this time Averan didn’t wait but came forward with her.

She tried to distract him with her tail but Averan didn’t even flinch this time around, catching her tail in his own and pushing it forcefully to the side. She stumbled just a step surprised at its power, Averan took advantage, first using his horns to occupy her defence before unleashing two strikes with his paw. She half-blocked one, just managing to keep it off her face. The second she didn’t even see.

Averan’s paw slammed into her knocking her sideways with surprising ease. He hadn’t meant to put so much force in it. As she fell Averan continued his charge and would have gored her right then and there. He halted at the last moment however, pulling back he dug his claws into the ground. His claws went deep as he fought to keep himself from pressing the attack. Alisha was still dazed as she turned to face him.

Averan felt pangs of pain flow through him as he struggled to keep control but finally, his breath calmed and his mind soon followed.

Averan felt a wave of relief wash over him as he transformed back. He was done training. He wasn’t sure it was a good idea doing so without Sandorn.

The struggle to maintain control was something he’d always faced, mostly with relative ease. Once in Battle, however, it was the Beast more often than not who dictated. Averan knew he needed to rectify that, for himself, and more importantly for those around him.

Alisha transformed back on seeing Averan. She took a knee but looked up to him smiling.

“Well, I’ll admit that I hadn’t expected that. You hit hard. Very hard. But I guess that’s what I need if I want to improve right?”

Averan smiled, trying not to show his apprehension, “Yeah sorry about that last strike. I push a bit too hard at times. Sandorn is always warning me about it.”

“Oh no,” Alisha waved away his worries, “I understand what it’s like, I know you were just trying to help me get better. I enjoyed it. Well…..most of it, that last part was a bit rough for me.” She laughed as she slowly got to her feet.

“I would not like to be the one facing you when you are in true fight mode. That, that would be scary.”

“You okay? I didn’t mean to connect quite so hard.”

“Oh I’m fine honestly. The chimerean blood clears up any knocks quite fast, pretty useful for training I guess. It is a pity that we have lost that part of our culture, now we so rarely use our Beasts to their full potential.”

There’s a reason for that, Averan thought silently, he’d never been much into reading, but when Sandorn pointed out a book on mastering the Chimera he’d found himself engrossed by it. There was a whole chapter dedicated to those who had lost control and given in to the Beast completely. Once they did that there was no going back. They were basically wild beasts, unable to continue living amongst people. Most were killed, those few who somehow survived were released outside the city to roam high up in the Argrian mountains native to the Chimera. Averan did not fancy becoming one of them.

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“I guess without war there is little need for us to utilise their full potential. Sad as it may be.”

“I guess, but watching you and your Brother fighting really made me realise just how much of a difference it makes. Sure everyone still transforms, but not ever for fighting. It is kind of refreshing in a way. The power it gives you.”

“Refreshing? That is one way of putting it.”

Alisha laughed, “Well, we’ll have to train again soon. And thank you Averan, for the training I mean. I enjoyed it. Though I can see by your face you did not.”

“Oh no, it’s not that.” Averan lied, “I’m just thinking about something Sandorn said that’s all.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, yes.” Averan shook his head and straightened himself. “Here let me help you up.”

Averan offered his hand to Alisha and she took it. He hauled her up and put an arm around her waist.

She really does have an amazing body…. Ahhhh Dammit how am I thinking about that now when I’ve almost tried to kill her. Shit. SHit.

“You okay?” Alisha placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Oh me yeah, yeah I’m fine. Just, just a little distracted today that’s all. Come on, I’ll see you back to your chambers.”

“To my….ah yes to my chambers. Let’s go.”

Averan guided her through the palace. Dranar had departed now long ago to his meeting with Sandorn and Liniseh, Sandorn himself had spent almost the entire day roaming the underground passages with Grolo. Averan wasn’t sure how wise that was, but his Brother seemed to take a lot of enjoyment out of it. He supposed they’d be awhile yet, which meant he could spend another hour at least with Alisha.

The palace, changed as it was into a glorified Council chamber had plenty of room for all of them. Dranar, Alisha’s aunt and cousins had taken up quarters in the Western Wing, and Sandorn and Averan had taken up the Eastern, the oldest part of the Palace and the first home of the Aureates in Gorias. Alisha had chosen for herself smaller chambers neighboring the Western Wing, because of this they were left quite alone once in her rooms.

Averan helped her over to the bed, though by this stage Alisha was already moving far easier. Her breathing had thankfully returned to normal. She settled down onto the bed,

“Nice rooms these, perhaps I should have picked them.”

“As Prince you did have pretty much first choice. You could have had this bed easy enough.”

Averan shrugged looking up at the ceiling before turning his gaze on Alisha.

“As Prince, I suppose I could still have them, if I wished I mean.”

“And what would happen to me?” Alisha looked at him sideways, a faint smile on her lips.

“As Prince, I suppose I could order you to remain with the bed. If I wished of course.”

“If I wished you mean. Even a Prince can only do so much.”

Averan sat down beside her.

“How much?”

Alisha clicked her teeth and shook her head lightly but her eyes never left his.

Averan placed one hand on Alisha’s knee and the other he moved across her cheek before drawing her in close to him.

When they kissed Averan forgot everything, he knew it was cliche. A kiss to end all kisses. But it was. He forgot about the Palace, the New Order, fighting, chimeras, the plotting, all of it disappeared in that moment. It was only him, and Alisha.

Gods, she is lovely.

Their first kiss was soft, tender. The second similar. The third however was stronger, a kiss that left him wanting more. Averan led Alisha back onto the bed. As his hands moved across her body and her across his he knew. Alisha had him as much as he had her. Only one thought came to him now.

We will need more than an hour.