FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent

Night Manor, Mane Country

CHAVIAS

Hours later, Chavias managed to find his way back to Night Manor. Sabine still sat in the parlor, embroidering a pillowcase by the light of a long narrow window. The sunlight silhouetting her silver dress.

So, form-fitting it looks as though it were stitched on the woman. He noted, pleased.

She was so lost in thought she didn’t seem to notice his arrival. So, he took the time to lurk, as she’d dubbed it. Wondering what she did do when she’d no idea someone watched.

Is your careful reserve always in place? Do you cure or rant?

As though sensing his presence she stiffened abruptly, staring forward out the window.

In a smooth step, he moved to the other side of the doorway to see what she studied so intently. I see nothing.

Closing his eyes, he entered her thoughts and found them uncharacteristically open. She was eying the brown and red leaves on the ground, excited. Like a child.

Without much thought, she spun so fast he barely had time to submerge himself in the shadows of the stairwell. She ran by him. Skirts flying and smiling madly.

What’s making her so happy?

Nearly breathless she ran for the door.

Where’s she going? I told her not to go outside! Irritation made his slashing black brows draw together.

Closing her eyes and drawing a deep breath, she summoned a hearty wind which blew open the front door and tossed her hair back. Lifting her chin, she greeted it with a childish laugh as she let the wind caress its fine fingers along her cheek. Slowing for only a few steps, she narrowed her eyes in one direction and the wind obeyed. Coming from there as she walked out onto the house’s stone steps. Laughing more loudly as she twirled a finger to make leaves land in her hair and swirl around her in a mass. Sticking to her dress as she lifted her skirts to jump the last two steps with the agility of a deer. She ran headlong across the garden.

Despite that I’d told her not to go out there.

Reaching the spot bordered by two skeletal fall trees, she moved her hands as though making a clay mold. The wind fluttered leaves in from both directions until she steepled her fingers. Then the leaves formed a pile before her.

Laughing with abandon she leapt into it, letting blonde hair catch them as she spun and rolled. Climbing to her knees she tossed leaves over her head.

She’s always so composed. I’ve not seen her like this since my first glimpse of her. Dancing in the snow. He remembered.

Right now, she looks like a woodland nymph laughing like that.

As she danced her circles, she moved her fingers in graceful dancing movements. Making the gale swell around her, lifting her skirts around her hips. Eventually her body followed. Lifting as though hanging from strings hanging from the treetops.

Chavias gasped, fearful she’d fall.

Relax Man. He told himself. She’s probably done this a thousand times.

It was apparent she was entirely in control of the wind’s movements. As she twisted her wrists faster, she spun in that wind. Leaves from her hair were tossed free and launched outward. Her musical laughter soared hauntingly over Mane Country’s needle trees.

Peering around the wall he felt his own laughter burbling up at the sight of her joyful play. Finally stepping out enough to lean against it, he gritted his teeth in a wicked grin to contain his chuckling.

She’s irresistible. He, who prided himself on his severity, was sorely tempted to join her. At length he could no longer fight his laughter. It poured from his dark soul, coursing through his body in slivers of happiness and light.

When did I last feel so free as watching her now?

Only a few days in Night Manor and she’s me laughing like a tutelage boy. I wouldn’t have thought it possible for anyone to bring laughter back into my life. He’d come out here to see why she disobeyed him. But the sight of her playing like a child amidst the leaves had banished his annoyance.

She’s free. Out here. In the leaves and trees.

Far from the woman carefully crafting every word from her lips.

Looking at her floating between the trees, swinging on the wind, he was unable to resist any longer. He applauded her. Still shaking his head and laughing.

She plummeted back to the ground.

Oh shit. He unfolded and moved to run to her, but she reached out and braced herself on the wind.

Landing lightly back on her feet. As she touched the ground her back stiffened and she cleared her throat. Face tightening in that usual severe look.

“You’re back.” She squeaked. Clearing her throat. “I hadn’t expected you so soon.”

She looks calm. But he heard the faint panicked rhythm of her heart. Her breath catching as tried to breathe normally.

As though she hadn’t just been playing like a mad woman.

“Why do you breathe so heavily?” He gestured. “Because I startled you…Or because you like the look of me?” He waggled black brows at her invitingly.

Her lips quirked in a half smile. Crossing her arms and cocking a hip at him.

No denial? He was somewhat surprised. His black hair hung around his face today from being wet in the dampness outside. A couple warrior braids hanging down each side of his face. Eyes so dark they appeared slate gray stared down his nose at her. When he laughed, white teeth were stark against tanned skin. His chiseled jaw was softened by unusually full lips peering from the dusk of whiskers surrounding his mouth.

Her eyes moved over his face assessingly.

More attracted to me then I might’ve guessed. He recognized.

Perhaps still a stallion, afterall. He rolled his shoulders. Knowing it emphasized the overwhelming width and breadth of them.