Chapter 29. Control Everything Ends with Lust Word
Lilian woke the next morning with her thoughts still tangled from everything she had seen and read in the archives.
The proof had been overwhelming and undeniable, all of it pointing to the same inescapable conclusion. She needed three mates to survive.
The truth sat heavy in her chest, frightening and strangely comforting at the same time. At least now she understood that her attraction to all three princes wasn't some moral failing or confusion. It was part of what she was.
She was still lost in thought when a sharp knock on her door made her flinch.
"Training in ten minutes," Lucien's voice called through the wood, sounding far too energetic for whatever the early hour it was. "And eat something first. You're gonna need the fuel."
"Why are they like this?" Lilian groaned, burying her face in her pillow. After the emotional intensity of yesterday, of the confessions, the archives, and everything, she had hoped for at least one morning to sleep in and think.
Apparently, that wasn't happening. The vampire princes had other plans for her.
The vibe between them also had shifted, the polite masks had finally slipped. After talking for hours late into the night, the formal "Your Highness" energy was dead.
They were roasting each other like old friends, their language getting messy, unfiltered, and honest for the first time.
She dragged herself out of bed and found a tray waiting outside her door, filled with fresh fruit, yogurt, and a blood bag that was still slightly warm. Mrs. Hemsworth's work, no doubt. The older woman had an uncanny ability to anticipate needs before they were voiced.
Lilian ate quickly, then changed into the training clothes that had been laid out.
Another fitted black leggings, a sports bra, and a tank top that showed more skin than she was entirely comfortable with.
But Dante had explained that loose clothing was dangerous during combat training as it would be too easy for an opponent to grab in a fight.
When she arrived at the training room, Lucien was already there, stretching in a way that made his muscles flex distractingly under his tight shirt.
"Morning, gorgeous," he said with a grin that was pure trouble. "Ready to get your ass kicked?"
"Good morning to you too," Lilian muttered, trying not to stare at the way his training pants hung low on his hips. "Where are the others?"
"Handling estate business. Council stuff." Lucien straightened, rolling his shoulders. "Which means you're stuck with me today. Lucky you."
"Lucky me," Lilian echoed dryly, though she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"We're working on combat today," Lucien said, moving to the center of the padded training mat. "Real combat, not the theoretical bullshit Dante likes to lecture about. You need to know how to actually fight, not just think about fighting."
"I already know some self-defense," Lilian protested. "I took classes in college."
Lucien's laugh was sharp and genuine. "Human self-defense? Against drunk frat boys and creepy guys in parking lots?" He shook his head. "Sweetheart, that's not going to help you against a vampire who's been fighting for centuries. You need to learn our way. Fast, brutal, and efficient."
He was right, and Lilian knew it. The attack that had turned her had proven just how helpless she had been against a real predator.
"Okay," she said, squaring her shoulders. "Teach me."
"That's my girl." Lucien's grin widened. "First lesson. Vampires are fast. Faster than any human can track. So you can't rely on seeing attacks coming. You need to feel them."
"Feel them how?"
"Come here," he ordered, gesturing for her to stand in front of him.
Lilian moved into position, acutely aware of how close they were standing. Close enough that she could smell him. Sharp, wild, and distinctly Lucien.
"Close your eyes," he instructed.
"What? Why?"
"Because I said so. Close your eyes, Lilian."
She hesitated, then complied, letting her eyes closed. Immediately, her other senses sharpened, and she could hear the sound of Lucien's breathing, the heat radiating from his body despite the coolness of his vampire skin, sensed the subtle movement of air as he shifted.
"Good," Lucien said, his voice coming from slightly to her right now. "Now, I'm going to attack you. Your job is to dodge or block without opening your eyes. Trust your instincts, not your sight."
"That seems like a good way to get punched in the face."
"I'll pull my strikes. Mostly." She could hear the smirk in his voice. "Now stop talking and focus."
Lilian tensed, every muscle coiled and ready. She heard Lucien move, there was a whisper of fabric, a shift in the air, and dodged left on pure instinct.
"Not bad," Lucien said from behind her now. "But you're too slow. Again."
This time she didn't hear him move at all. She just felt something, a change in pressure, a disturbance in the air, and threw herself to the right. Something brushed past her shoulder, close enough that she felt the breeze.
"Better," Lucien approved. "You're starting to feel it instead of thinking about it. That's what you need in a real fight. Instinct over thought."
They continued like this again and again.
Lucien attacking from different angles, different speeds, and Lilian trying desperately to sense and dodge.
She wasn't always successful as she took several hits to her arms and shoulders, but she was getting better.
"Okay, open your eyes," Lucien finally said.
Lilian opened them and found him standing directly in front of her, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. His green eyes were bright, focused, and approving.
"You're a natural," he said. "Most newborns take weeks to develop that kind of sensing ability. You picked it up in minutes."
"Divine hybrid perks, I guess?" Lilian guessed, slightly breathless from the exertion.
"Probably." Lucien's hand came up to brush a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail back from her face. The gesture was casual, almost unconscious, but intimate enough to steal her breath. "Now we work on offense. Knowing how to dodge is good, but you also need to know how to fight back."
He stepped back, creating space between them again. "Attack me. Use everything you've got. Don't hold back."
"I'll hurt you," Lilian protested.
Lucien laughed, and it was the cockiest thing she had ever heard. "No, you won't. Not even close. But I appreciate the confidence." He spread his arms wide, leaving himself completely open. "Come on, gorgeous. Hit me with your best shot."
The challenge in his voice, the cocky grin on his face, the way he was deliberately provoking her. It all combined to spike Lilian's competitive nature.
Fine. If he wanted to be knocked on his ass, she would be happy to oblige.
She lunged forward, using her enhanced vampire speed to close the distance in a blink, aiming a punch at his solar plexus, a move from her old self-defense classes.
Lucien dodged easily, stepping to the side and letting her momentum carry her past him. "Predictable. Too much telegraphing. I could see that coming from a mile away."
Lilian spun and tried again, this time with a kick aimed at his knee. He blocked with his shin, barely seeming to register the impact.
"Better. Lower attacks are harder to see coming. But you're still thinking too much. Stop planning your moves and just react."
They went back and forth like this. Lilian attacking, Lucien effortlessly evading or blocking while offering commentary that was equal parts helpful and infuriating. She could feel sweat beginning to soak through her tank top, her muscles burning from the exertion.
"You're getting frustrated," Lucien observed, catching her wrist mid-punch and holding it. "Good. Anger makes you faster, more aggressive. But you need to control it, not let it control you."
He was still holding her wrist, his fingers cool against her overheated skin. They were standing close again, both breathing harder than necessary despite not needing air.