FOREVER KNIGHTS: #13 Salvaging Souls

“If it’s the only kind I can have, I’ll take it.” He rose and carefully lifted his daughter. Covering his chest and breeches in blood as he stood with her and began the long trek across the meadow. Step slow and tired.

He’ll never let me take her.

Alazar shook his head but knew there’d be no changing his brother’s mind. And in this instance, it was best he hold his silence.

I pray he’s right.

“Bast.”

His brother turned weakly. Fear darkening his eyes.

“I’ve helped you in this, but you must give me your word.”

“What?”

“If the Fallen doesn’t ascend enough to do this, this life…You must release your daughter’s soul.”

Sebastian’s face crumpled. Pain etching creases in his face. His arms shook holding his precious child. At length, he closed his eyes and bobbed his head in a pained nod.

He turned and they walked together. The others falling into a silent line behind them.

“Do you want me to take her?”

“You’d have to pry her from my arms.” Bast glowered.

Alazar retracted his hands and walked in silence. Understanding his twin’s agony.

As Bast entered the bailey with his limp child. Seeming impossibly small in his arms. He heard the wails coming from the upper floor and knew that Elsabet watched the procession walking in with her little one. He could hear furniture shattering and wood splintering as she raged above.

He winced. Drawing a quaking breath and closing his eyes against the horrible pain wrenching through him.

He walked into WaterRose with the child. Directing the other knights to stop the Valkyrie from coming down. He wandered to the lower levels of WaterRose where the moat had long ago permeated the deep foundation to flood the lowest foyer and staircases. Creating a cascade of streaming rays which peered through the stones of the outer walls to toss sparkling lights over the water.

Bast took the stairs and walked into the water. Heading down the staircase until he was completely submerged, and the rooms began to darken. He stepped to the bottom floor and reached under the stairs to gently tuck his daughter there. Waving a hand before him had a bubble of gold light circling her. Forever freezing her in the state she was in. Keeping her hidden and safe.

And here she’ll remain…

I know its selfish.

Likely a futile hope. There’d been precious few lifetimes where The Fallen was able to ascend enough she could work such magic.

And he’d given his brother his word that he had only this one lifetime to hope The Fallen might become powerful enough. One lifetime. He swallowed convulsively.

Feeling like his insides were trembling.

His daughter’s haunting laughter haunted his ears. Tearing through every fiber of his being and nearly dropping him to his knees.

But the shrieking cries upstairs and the sounds of the castle being torn apart stone by stone reached him.

He headed for the stairs on the feet of a condemned man.

Deragan stepped out and caught his shoulder. Sebastian looked back at him. “She’s going to blame you for this. Her grief must have a target.”

“I know.” Bast’s voice broke. And his head fell back as he fought for composure. It is my fault. He drew a quaking breath. And pushed aside the door which now hung on only one hinge.

“You!” She railed.

He nodded. “Yes, me.”

“I hate you!” She shouted. Rushing at him. Her fingers elongated into talons and he caught her flailing wrists. Holding them above their heads.

“Please.” He said dully.

“You’ll beg me for nothing. Nothing! Ever again.”

“I know.” He nodded.

“I hate you.”

“I know.”

“I begged you to stay. Not to go.”

“You did.”

“Why?” She cried. Weeping hysterically as she crumpled. His hands released her wrists to catch her waist and lower her to the floor.

“I don’t know. I’m a fool. I should have listened to you…”

“You should have! She’d still be here. My baby would still be here!” She dropped her face into her hands.

“You can blame me in any way you need. I blame me too.” He murmured. “But may I comfort you? Hold you in this moment you need?”

Her shoulders shook as she wept into her hands.

Finally he cautiously gripped her wrist and pulled one hand from her face. Nearly afraid to ask he held his arms out.

She looked from one to the other then at him.

Please. He willed.

She only half rose and fell against him. His arms wrapped her. Clutching her to him desperately as she wept. Soaking his hair and shoulder. He held the back of her head to keep her tight to him. One strong arm wrapping her shoulders solidly.

He walked her backward. Her feet sliding limply, as he guided her to the bed. Lowering her to it and moving behind her to hold her against him.

She curled into a tiny ball.

He formed to her to keep her warm. Hanging on to her. Tucking his face into the cloud of her hair and weeping as potently as she did.

The two grieving parents huddled together. Sobbing until they fell into exhausted slumber.

Continued in BOOK FOURTEEN.

FOREVER KNIGHTS: Broken Birds