FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent

They’re using elven magic when you’re not looking. He gave Bronwynn a sideways look which she met as confirmation.

“It smells delicious.” He defended.

“Looks it too.” Nora grumbled.

Soon they all sat down to an excellent meal of baked chicken and new potatoes with an array of seasonings Nora couldn’t identify.

Deragan heard her thoughts. Watching her face carefully. Elf seasonings from roots found deep underground.

She needs to rest some and to relax.

As they’d eaten, fresh flowers had been put in pretty vases in every room.

Making it suddenly look and smell as Rosewynn had back in the 1800’s. It was like a punch to Deragan’s gut.

But seeing the wonder on Nora’s face settled his pain.

She’s sensing it too.

Staring at the ceiling for hours didn’t keep the nightmares from seeping in the moment Nora closed her eyes.

Deragan could sense her frustration from down the hall. She’s not sleeping well. The memories are coming faster.

And he knew they could be brutal.

But tonight was different. She thought she was dreaming when she blinked her eyes open and saw Radix standing near her window. His fur trimmed gray cloak billowing in the wind blowing in the window. His thin lips twisted into a menacing sneer.

She wanted to flee but couldn’t move.

That’s no nightmare! Deragan leapt from his bed and ran down the hall.

Radix closed in on her. Black eyes glittering in the dark.

She opened her mouth to scream.

He lifted a mottled old man and made a clenching motion.

Only a helpless squeak seeped from her as her throat caved in as though someone strangled her. Though no one touched her.

Her heart was thrumming in Deragan’s ears. Labored and terrified. He crashed through the door and slid between them. Facing Radix as he circled to stand near the side of her bed. You don’t get her. Not this time.

Nora was suddenly staring at a broad back and wide shoulders. Shrouded in dark clothes. Shining black hair she didn’t recognize, waved down the back of his head. He emanated rage.

A pulse thrummed through the room as a sudden wind blew her hair back. Leaning around this newest intruder, she saw he held out a hand to ward off Radix.

“You’ll not have her.”

“If I will not,” Radix said raspingly. Turning his head almost like a bird. “then you shall not.” Hissing through jagged teeth he was forced to back up under Deragan’s onslaught of pulsing magic. Radix’s feet skid the floor as he leaned forward in an effort to stop sliding. Shaking his head like an enraged animal, he approached again.

Deragan stepped back, forcing her back a step. As he leaned forward and pushed all his strength into his power. Pressing at Radix.

“How are you so much stronger than the rest?” Radix sneered in annoyance.

Nora bumped into the edge of her bed as Deragan moved backward. Shielding her.

With one hand still out before him, Deragan offered her the other, near his lower back.

Impulsively taking it, she wrapped her fingers with his.

Immediate warmth joined their skin where they touched. Dark blue eyes glowed in the dark as he peered over his shoulder at her, luminescing in the pitch darkness. White light exploded from between their palms to twine up the sinews of his arm.

Brightening the darkness so vividly she had to shield her eyes as she struggled to see his features.

He simultaneously looked away just as the brightness would’ve illuminated his face. The glow traveled through his shoulders and chest to erupt from the hand he held in-front of him.

Radix huddled in a far corner. Covering his face with his arms as he shrieked before disappearing.

The room suddenly empty save the stranger holding her hand.

The light doused as quickly as it’d come.

Squinting she tried to adjust her eyes to the dark. When she could finally see his outline, she found him a hairsbreadth from her, staring down at her. His face darkened by the night shadows.

His hand hovered near her hair as though he’d touch her. The intoxicating scent of a coming rain and sandalwood filled her nostrils and she drew in the scent she’d missed the last few months.

But instead of touching her he retracted his hand. Hearing the rasp of his clothes she watched him lower to place lips to forehead, hesitating before withdrawing.

I’ve missed you for an eternity.

And he felt her aching to wrap her arms around him. Though she didn’t.

It’s horrible anguish for us both. I know. He stood and she knew she’d missed her opportunity.

She swiped away tears.

He slowly shook his head and backed away. Each step, left her more alone.

She wanted to cry out for him to stay. Opening her mouth she almost did.

I can’t hear it. I’ll weaken. He was gone as quickly as he’d come.

Reaching out with pleading words, she helplessly searched the darkness. Finding the room as empty as her aching heart.

Her brothers surged through the doorway. Eying the slab of wood which now hung from one hinge.

“Bad nightmare?” Airon asked sympathetically.

“That was no nightmare.” Nora breathed.

“What happened?” Marcus asked.

“What was it?” William interjected.

Knowing the demon from her nightmares had invaded her chamber tonight, Nora was at a loss of words. Her mouth moving but nothing came out.

“He was here…”

“Worthington?” William snapped.

“No…”

Radix.

And she now knew he was as real as the breath in her lungs.

She’s right.