The heartbreaker perfect match

Training demon soldiers was like pulling teeth. These weaklings couldn't keep up with me, and it was starting to piss me off. I barked orders at them, my voice echoing through the training grounds. "You call that a swing? My grandmother hits harder than that!" One soldier, trembling like a leaf, barely managed to lift his sword. Pathetic.

I circled them, eyes narrowed, watching their every move. "Come on, put your back into it! You think the enemy's gonna go easy on you because you're tired? Think again!" My frustration grew as they stumbled through the drills, their incompetence making my blood boil. "For fuck's sake, even a human toddler could do better!"

One of them, a scrawny demon with horns barely grown in, tripped and fell flat on his face. I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "Get up, you useless sack of bones! If you can't even stand on your own two feet, you're no use to me or this army!" I stomped over, grabbing him by the collar and hauling him up. "If you want to survive, you better start acting like it."

After another grueling hour of trying to drill some semblance of skill into these idiots, I couldn't take it anymore. "Alright, enough! You're all a bunch of fucking disappointments. Training's over. Get out of my sight before I decide to turn you into ash myself!" They scrambled away, relief evident on their faces. Weaklings.

I needed a shower to wash off the stink of their failure. As the hot water cascaded over me, I glanced at the clock. Damn, it was already 2 PM. I'd wasted too much time on those idiots. Since I was near Leora's castle, I figured I'd pay a visit. Seeing Aeliana could be... interesting.

Dressed in fresh clothes, I made my way to the castle. Just as I arrived at the entrance, I spotted Aeliana and Nathaniel. They were standing in a small courtyard filled with the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle morning breeze.

Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone path beneath their feet. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from nearby gardens.

They were smiling, laughing even. Aeliana's laughter was light and musical, a sound that seemed to blend perfectly with the serene surroundings.

Nathaniel's deep, hearty chuckle echoed in response, creating a moment that felt almost surreal in its simplicity. My steps slowed as I approached, my eyes narrowing as I watched Nathaniel lean in and kiss Aeliana on the cheek.

The kiss was brief and seemingly innocent, yet it sent a shockwave through me. A strange, unwelcome feeling twisted in my chest, a sensation I couldn't quite identify but couldn't ignore either. What the fuck was that?

Trying to ignore the irritation bubbling inside me, I teleported into the hall. Anger surged, and before I knew it, my fist collided with a statue, sending it crashing to the ground. The shattering of stone echoed through the hall, and for a moment, the violent release felt good. But it didn't last. I couldn't calm down, couldn't name the emotion gnawing at me.

Suddenly, a hard thump landed on my shoulder. I spun around to see my grandmother, Zephara, staring at me with a bemused expression. "Hey, mini me," she greeted, her tone light but her eyes scrutinizing.

Before I could respond, she teleported us to a secluded area, away from prying eyes. Her face turned serious. "Breaking statues now? Really, Ciara?"

I shrugged, trying to play it off. "It was an ugly statue anyway."

Zephara crossed her arms, unimpressed. "What's really going on?"

I hesitated, not wanting to admit anything. "Just frustrated. Training a bunch of useless soldiers."

Her eyes bored into me, seeing right through my bullshit. "It's not about the soldiers, is it?"

I glared at the ground, refusing to meet her gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She sighed, stepping closer. "I saw the way you were looking at Aeliana."

I stiffened, my jaw clenching. "What about it?"

Zephara's gaze softened. "You're jealous."

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Jealous? Me? That's a laugh. I don't do jealousy. Or love, for that matter. It's all bullshit."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "So, what? You're just angry because you can't have her for one night?"

I didn't answer, the silence hanging heavy between us. Finally, I snapped, "Yeah, maybe I am. Maybe if I had her once, I'd get bored and move on. That's what I do."

Zephara shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "You keep telling yourself that, Ciara. But I think there's more to it."

I glared at her, my anger flaring again. "You don't know shit. I've had plenty of one-nighters. It's all the same. Love is for idiots."

She didn't flinch, her gaze steady. "And yet, here you are, breaking statues and getting worked up over a woman you claim to not care about."

I growled in frustration, my fists clenching at my sides. "I don't care about her! I just... I just don't like seeing her with that asshole Nathaniel."

Zephara tilted her head, studying me. "Because you think he's not good enough for her?"

"Exactly," I snapped. "He's a fucking player. She deserves better."

"Like you?" she asked softly.

I opened my mouth to retort, but no words came out. My mind raced, struggling to find a comeback. Finally, I forced out, "I don't do relationships. She deserves someone who can give her that."

Zephara's eyes softened even more. "And maybe, deep down, you wish you could be that person."

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "You don't get it. I'm not cut out for that. I'm not good for her or anyone else."

She placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch gentle. "Ciara, you're stronger than you think. You just have to let yourself believe it."

I shook her hand off, stepping back. "This conversation is over. I'm done here."

Before she could say anything else, I teleported back to my castle, leaving her words and my turbulent emotions behind. I didn't want to admit anything, not even to myself. Love was a weakness, and I refused to be weak.