FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent

How true that is!

She was breathing heavily as she began backing up. Retreating from him. “The peasant.” She demanded as a reminder of what she’d come here for.

His shoulders straightened. When he answered her his voice had changed from softly beckoning to cold and certain. “She was a NightVille peasant woman. Her name was Alice, the only child of an elderly couple. One of your precious Lords lit her afire to persuade her to give the whereabouts of the rebels. She refused and thus was allowed to burn alive. Her pleas and screams ignored by the villain tormenting her. She died with great dignity. Maintaining more courage and loyalty then most men can lay claim to. Because she was silent to protect her loved ones.” He finished with derision. He was as disgusted as she.

Likely more so. Since I felt what she’d felt when I touched her.

“Why did you not save her?” Riaura couldn’t help asking.

“I couldn’t. Sometimes I’m too late.”

She scoffed. “How could you be too late?” She shouted.

His eyes narrowed briefly before he turned and walked away from her. “You’ve come a long way from the girl I knew.” Not a compliment.

“It was an unnecessary death!” She changed the subject to the one she was cleaning to.

As ammo against me.

“No lord of mine would dare such impertinence!” She clicked her tongue. “How can you look as if you’re as repulsed as me and still not tell me whose doing it?”

Because you’re a trusting fool who trusts him more than I.

“That, love,” He tossed over his shoulder. “is because sometimes you are not as clever as you think you are. You’re not always right in the company you choose to keep.”

“Would that be you then?” She rushed after him. Catching his arm and spinning him around. “Tell me who.”

His face was expressionless, and he made no move to speak. He merely stared at her unblinkingly. I’ll not tell her anything more tonight. I’m tired. I haven’t slept in far too long.

“You share pieces of my life and all my secrets...yet hold yours so close to you.” She objected, voice heightening.

His only answer was his full lips spreading into that hated smirk.

“All I know about you is your name and the grains of wisdom you gave me over the years. Tell me who you are!”

Clearly this bothers her more than the suffering of a peasant. That disgusted him.

“I’d as likely show you everything as you are like to give me your cold heart.”

She shook her head. “You only want Nightway.”

“Of course.” He said dully. Having watched the play of emotions across her face.

“What are you, Alazareth?”

“Something you couldn’t begin to understand. But if you’d listen to me, trust me, what we could do together would be limitless.”

As our happiness could be. If she’d just let go of these idiotic notions Danbury has planted in her head!

She turned away. “You’re less than naught to me, Alazar. Don’t deceive yourself.”

Lies she tells herself. He shook his head.

“You’re a blind woman!” He snagged her lower back and pulled her roughly against him. Spinning her to plant her against the tree behind him.

She squeaked.

Finally realizing she’s cornered and can’t talk her way out of this one. He let her go to put a palm to each side of her. Caging her in like the dark predator she seemed so keen to remember he was.

Thunder rumbled above. Lightening slashed the midnight sky like flying daggers. Illuminating his hard features. His simple white tunic, rolled at the sleeves, glowed in the sudden brightness. Cinched by the leather belt at his waist. He was unreadable as he leaned forward to pin her in.

Her palms pressed the rigid bark of the tree next to her hips. Slipping into the crevices.

Wishing she could fade into them, likely.

His voice came out in a warning hiss. “I’ll allow you to bide your time, love. Make your decision quick, however. I’ve been patient long enough. And refuse to continue.” He straightened, allowing her space but not stepping away.

“Are you threatening me or telling me you’ll finally give up?”

He was silent, a muscle in his jaw ticking. Careful what you ask for.

You may regret that.

“What’s wrong, Alazareth? Nothing to say for once?” She taunted.

“Never silenced.” His lips tightened. “I’d once thought you deserved better than the evil cripple. Now I’m not so sure you aren’t his perfect match. In every way.”

“You’ve never even met, Charles!”

Doesn’t matter.

“I know what he is.”

“You’re the affront.” She said venomously.

I am? He’d never been so tempted to slap her. Wondering if there was any chance it’d make her hear reason. It wouldn’t…Shaking his head he backed away from her and went to leave. Disgusted.

“What, Alazar? Don’t you shake your head at me! If you’ve something to say, say it.”

You wouldn’t like what I’d have to say, I assure you.”

“You say such things with naught to back it.” He sighed. Shoulders slumping as he refused to turn back to her. “I’m not evil. I’ve never harmed you, nor caused you pain. Yes, I’ve secrets. But I also have reasons for keeping them.”

“Come to me tomorrow night, you know where to find me. I’ll tell you what I can, then.” Then he faded into the dark. Flashes of lightening marking his path. And the rumble of thunder punctuating his last words.

Sighing she began fumbling her way back to the castle.

Alazar circled back behind her to verify she made it back safely. Hearing her thoughts as she went. She wants so badly to be fair queen with a reasonable hand.

But her people are suffering and whispering of her behind her back. They blame her for their unhappiness. They don’t believe she could live in the Castle with a man and not know what he was doing to her people.

Even I have wondered.

He knew she was frustrated. Talking to me about the nightmares is the only time she seeks me anymore.