FOREVER KNIGHTS: #14 Broken Birds

“Yes. When you’re here we can bathe anytime during the day and no one would bother us.”

He frowned at the logic in it. “So when you’re alone you come early?”

She nodded.

How many times has Phalanx followed her here in the early morning and seen her bathe than? That thought made irritation darken his face.

He hasn’t mentioned it…

“May I come in?” She lifted a fine red brow.”

“Have I ever told you no?”

She shook her head. A faint smile dancing on her lips and blue eyes sparkling. “I like how you look, drenched from the pond.”

He grinned at her. “I like how you look damp as well.”

“Was that an innuendo?” She gave him a sideways look.

“If you need ask, isn’t that your answer?”

Smiling she tilted her head back to look at him. “You’re so bad.”

“I’ve been told.” He tossed his head in a gesture for her to join him.

Undoing the laces of her green dress she let it fall to the dirt and stuck a foot in the water. Shivering she gave him a sharp look. “It’s freezing!”

He laughed. “Come in. I’ll warm you.”

She rushed in with a pained grimace and rushed to him.

He opened his arms to her and she clung to his chest.

“You are warm.” She reared back. Putting her palms to the planes of his chest. “You’re nearly on fire!” She gave him a confused look.

“I know.”

“Why?”

“Don’t know.”

“You’re so talkative.”

“I’ve been told.” He shrugged. “What do you intend after your bath?”

“I was going to go to the trees.” She peered at him sheepishly.

“Out the back way.” He frowned at her.

“Yes. I don’t want to be seen!”

“Doing what?” He asked tonelessly.

“Flying.”

“You’ve learned to fly?” His brows shot up.

“Learning is more apt.”

“I’ll go with you.”

She beamed. White teeth flashing and her cheeks scrunching as she looked up at him. Trailing her fingertips at his hairline to move his hair back. “Never has anyone been so good to me.”

“That is not typically what you’re saying to me.”

“I don’t understand some things you do. But to me, you’ve always been kind.”

He nodded.

“You’ve denied me nothing…” She caressed a fingertip over the top of one pec.

He gave her a long look. Is this a thank you?

He’d rarely ever heard her say it. Usually she’s ranting at me like I’m a disobedient mutt.

“I’ve thought about what my life could be like if I’d been left to the sailors…If you had not come along.”

That was like a punch to the gut. If she’d remained with them she’d never have lived to the age she was now.

They’d have abused her until she died of starvation or worse. It made him want to kill her owner all over again.

“Dimurah?”

“Yes?” She blinked those pretty blue eyes at him.

“If you’re going to ask me for something, there’s no need for flattery.”

“I’m not, actually.” She sighed. “I just miss you when you’re gone.”

“But you hate when I’m here.”

“I do hate when you’re here.” She admitted. “I never know who you’re going to kill or when. Or what it’s going to do to my business.”

He tilted his head in acknowledgement. She’s not wrong.

I never know who or when I’m going to kill.

“Should we go fly?”

“We?” She gave him a chastising look. “I think you mean me.”

“Do I?”