FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent

The following afternoon brought with it, Rosemary brought by a driver, Nicholas paid for her drive.

Nora invited her to join to them, to which she agreed.

Bronwynn and Mary appeared to serve them filleted fish basted in seasonings that made Deragan’s mouth water. Corn on the cop was lathered in butter. Lily entered with a platter of steaming rolls soft from the oven.

It smells amazing.

“How are they doing for you?” Rosemary queried.

“Wonderful!” Nora gushed. “But you really shouldn’t have Rosie. I don’t have coin to pay them as they deserve.”

Rosemary gave her a fast look before glancing at Deragan.

He met her look sternly. Mouth tight as he gave his head one hard, shake.

Making her look away while he pretended to be oblivious as he listened to the twins talking avidly.

William elbowed him jesting about the miraculous work he’d done out back.

“I’m not sure what I was thinking. I guess I was so focused on all the help you’d need I didn’t…think about the cost. I’m sorry.” She finished quickly putting a hand to Nora’s shoulder.

Didn’t sound terribly convincing. Deragan noted with some sinking dread.

Nora studied her face searchingly.

“The little ones look well.” Rosemary commented.

Beth and Airon’s faces were fuller. Their eyes less sunken. Beth’s held a new vibrancy.

Filled to brimming with fairy energy.

“Airon!” Rosie called. “Get that roll out of your pocket.”

Nora jumped in. “A roll, Airon? I already saw you storing corn kernels in your pockets. Why in Ardae are you saving those?”

Airon shrugged. Wide-eyed, he stuffed a roll in his mouth and muttered. Gesturing to his mouth as if to explain why he couldn’t currently articulate his reasoning.

Well played, Lad. Deragan thought admiringly. Glad he hadn’t divulged he needed the snacks to feed a Figurine Dragon.

When conversation resumed.

Airon leaned over under Nora’s watchful eyes and whispered. “I didn’t tell her.”

“Well done.”

Deragan and Bast exchanged a slight nod.

Beth eagerly leaned around Airon, to tell Deragan a story with as much enthusiasm as Airon had whispered to him.

Nodding now and again, Dreagan stared at her intently, fork suspended until her tale concluded.

After dinner Nora went to read next to the fire as she often did.

Deragan sat and joined her staring out the window as he tended to.

Sometimes they enjoyed companionable silence. Sometimes they’d talk. Often he’d offer advice.

She’d meet the shine of his dark eyes in the firelight as he was listening carefully. But tonight, she blurted something unexpected.

“I only read down here to sit with you, do you know that?”

Nope.

“I did not.” He gave her his full attention.

“You know so much about so many subjects. You’re far too wise for our age.”

Your age. I’m a hair older.

Only three hundred years or so…

“Thank you.” He felt her eyes watching his profile as he stared out across the lawn.

“Your jaw is so straight.” She stood from the bench and walked over to him and he couldn’t help but look at her then.

“May I?” She asked as she outstretched hand toward it.

“Please do.” He looked up at her with large hazel eyes. Willing all vulnerability from his face.

She pointed a finger and trailed it from just below his earlobe to his chin. “It’s not as sharp as it looks.”

His gaze immediately fell at the contact and he had to clear his throat before responding. Or my voice would’ve been rough with my desire.

She’d told him many times how she saw him, over the centuries.

His lips were fuller than most men. Thick lashes shadowed his eyes as though he had many secrets. Dark brows tipping over them lent them mystery.

Movement beyond the window drew his eye back to the window. He watched a wolf crept over the lawn toward the front porch.

She noted it as well. “They’re taking their spots at the steps.”

“Where they stay all night.” He agreed.

“You knew they were there?”

“I stare out here every evening.” He pointed to the window behind him with a thumb over his shoulder.

“True I just-I guess-I supposed you’d be…”

“What?”

“Afraid of them.” She supplied.

Hardly.

“Are you afraid of them?” He asked.

“No. I don’t think they’re here to hurt anyone.”

They’re not.

“I don’t either.” He commented.

Without meaning to, she blurted the story of the wolf walking her to the door. Getting excited as she told the story.

Excited to talk about me. His heart palpitated.

Smiling quietly, he held his silence.

“I know what I must sound like.”

Your voice is so nice to hear.

“I doubt that.” He argued. “There’s a lot of lore about wolves being loyal to people, especially if the animal has a connection to them.” He shifted in his chair.

“Really?”

Yes. Most of them are tales told of you and I.

“Many books on it, actually.” He sighed.

“You’ve changed.”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem darker, broader and taller…” She laughed at herself. “I sound like a crazy person tonight.”

“No, you don’t. I’d never think that.”

“You’re a very unique man Derrick Black.”

More unique as Deragan Black. You’ll see soon enough.