The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 70: Blood Training

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Blood Training

"Swish. Swish."

On the training field, Zara sparred fiercely with Grace, their swords flashing under the bright sun. A confident smile played on Zara’s lips, her eyes shining with sharp focus.

Grace’s grin widened as she swung her massive sword with all her might—only to be forced back by Zara’s swift counterattack.

With a sudden twist, Zara struck the handle of Grace’s weapon. The sword slipped from Grace’s grasp and clattered onto the ground. The impact caused the field beneath them to tremble slightly.

Nyssa, watching from the sidelines, clapped her hands. "Alright, Zara wins again."

Zara smirked, sheathing her sword with practiced ease. Grace, still grinning, charged forward, leaping into Zara’s arms and wrapping her hands tightly around her neck.

Zara laughed softly, catching her by the waist and pulling her close. "See? I win again, Grace."

Before she could say more, Grace pressed her lips against Zara’s. Zara’s eyes widened in surprise, then softened as a warm smile bloomed on her face.

Five months of training had passed. With Grace’s clingy nature, it seemed Zara was starting to like her too.

Closing her eyes, Zara kissed her back gently.

"Ahem."

Startled, Zara pulled away and turned to see Nyssa standing nearby, cheeks flushed. "Training’s over. Off to your rooms now."

Zara nodded quickly, still holding Grace’s hands as they stepped off the field.

Behind them, Nyssa called out, "Zara, you might win in swordplay and strength, but if Grace uses blood control or taps into her aura, you’ll lose. Tomorrow, we start training for that."

Zara froze, caught off guard. She glanced down at Grace, who nestled comfortably against her chest, peaceful and content.

A small, amused smile tugged at Zara’s lips. She tightened her hold on Grace as they walked toward the manor.

Once inside, Grace lifted her head and looked into Zara’s eyes. "Zara," she said softly.

"Hm?" Zara glanced down.

"Tonight, I’m sleeping with you. Lilith got to last night."

Zara chuckled softly. "Alright."

She turned toward her room but stopped in surprise.

Lilith lay on the bed, dressed in a thin nightgown, silver hair spilling over the pillow. A playful smirk curved her lips.

"Looks like I’m not the only one with plans tonight," she purred.

Grace jumped down, hands on hips. "Lilith, tonight’s my night! We already talked about this!"

Lilith chuckled. "Relax, it’s your night. I just came to tell Zara something."

Zara raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She sat beside Lilith, gently stroking her hair as Lilith rested her head on Zara’s thigh, smiling warmly.

Grace watched, pouting exaggeratedly. Zara laughed softly and opened her arms. "Come here."

Grace’s pout faded into a satisfied smirk as she leaped into Zara’s embrace.

Zara looked down at Lilith, voice gentle and curious. "Lilith, what did you want to tell me?"

Lilith sighed softly. "You know... that dog challenged me to a duel next month. We’re heading to the Werewolf Realm."

Zara blinked, confused. "Dog?"

"Oh, Jane," Lilith said with a smirk.

Zara tapped her chin thoughtfully. "What kind of duel?"

"It’s a dominance duel. That’s how they decide who’s Alpha and who’s Beta. Omegas are born to their role, but a Beta can challenge the Alpha. Jane’s the Alpha—and she’s challenging me."

Zara frowned. "But why challenge you? Shouldn’t that be kept within their pack?"

Lilith smirked. "Because she wants to beat me—if only in her dreams."

Zara’s lips twitched before a confident smile spread. "Alright. We’ll go with you."

Suddenly, Lilith stood, brushing her nightgown. With a mischievous grin, she waved. "Well then, I’m off. Bye-bye~"

Zara stared after her, still processing. "She really just came to brag and leave."

Grace giggled, nestled in Zara’s arms. "She’s always like that."

Zara smiled softly, looking down at Grace. "Let’s sleep."

Just as she turned to lay, a faint sound caught her attention. She glanced at Grace, eyes widening.

Grace’s cheeks flushed deep red as she slowly unbuttoned her top, tilting her neck invitingly.

Is she... offering her blood?

Zara swallowed hard. "Gulp."

Opening her arms again, she pulled Grace close. Grace pressed her exposed neck against Zara’s lips.

Zara gently lifted Grace’s chin, whispering, "Are you sure?"

Grace nodded eagerly, breath shaky but willing.

A soft smile curved Zara’s lips as her fangs slid out with a faint click. She leaned down, brushing her lips against Grace’s skin before sinking her fangs into her neck.

Grace’s toes curled as a shiver of pleasure ran through her body. A quiet gasp escaped her lips.

After drinking, Zara’s cheeks flushed crimson as she looked down at Grace—her face equally flushed, lips parted from lingering pleasure.

Slowly, Zara unbuttoned her own shirt, fingers trembling. She cupped Grace’s chin and leaned in.

Grace, still riding the rush, caught sight of Zara’s neck. A sweet, knowing smile curved her lips. Without hesitation, she sank her teeth into Zara’s skin.

A low, breathy moan escaped Zara’s lips.

"Ahhh..."

After drinking, Grace looked at Zara with a loving expression, her smile soft and sweet.

Zara, catching that smile and noticing Grace’s flushed cheeks, held her breath for a moment. Unconsciously, she pulled Grace close and gently laid her down on the bed, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

Grace moaned softly, her hands resting on Zara’s neck as she closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

----------------------------------------------

Zara groaned softly as she stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open.

She sat up, stretching with a soft yawn, then glanced beside her. Grace lay nestled under the sheets, her breathing slow and peaceful.

A gentle smile tugged at Zara’s lips. Carefully, she rose from the bed, not wanting to wake her. She dressed swiftly and stepped out, making her way to the training field.

Upon arrival, she paused, tilting her head in surprise.

Nyssa wasn’t there.

Instead, Seris stood in the center of the field, arms crossed, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

When she noticed Zara, she dramatically covered her mouth. "Oh, welcome, daughter-in-law," she cooed. "From now on, I’ll be your blood control teacher."

Zara blinked, caught off guard by the title, but remained silent.

Seris grinned wider. "Let’s begin, dear. First, make a light cut on your hand."

She casually tossed a dagger toward Zara.

Zara caught it mid-air, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. "A shallow cut?" she repeated.

"Mmhm," Seris hummed. "Just enough for blood to show. Then we’ll begin."

Nodding slowly, Zara pressed the blade against her palm and drew a thin line. Crimson blood beaded to the surface.

"Good," Seris said, her eyes gleaming with focus. "Now concentrate. Will the blood to move. This is the easy part."

Zara inhaled slowly, fixing her gaze on the blood. Her brows furrowed as she silently commanded it to rise.

The droplet trembled... then lifted from her skin, hovering gently in the air like a floating ruby.

Zara’s eyes widened slightly, then a small, proud smile curved her lips. The wound on her palm closed as if it had never been there.

Seris blinked in stunned silence—then burst into a wicked, proud grin.

My daughter-in-law is so talented. Hehe~

"Alright," Seris said, placing her hands on her hips. "Now for the fun part. Blood can take shape—solid, sharp, soft. With enough control, it becomes a weapon, a shield, or art. Be creative. Try shaping it into something."

Without hesitation, Zara sliced her palm again, eyes narrowing as she watched the blood rise once more.

Her gaze sharpened.

The blood swirled in the air, dancing like smoke before slowly beginning to mold itself.

A dagger? A rose? A shield?

Seris leaned forward, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

After some time, a wry smile tugged at her lips as she placed a hand over her face with a sigh.

"Really, Zara?" she muttered. "Out of everything you could shape... You made that?"

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