FOREVER KNIGHTS: #16 To Keep Her

Merwood, Dread Hideout

ACHARIUS

In the doorway was the imposingly dark figure of Captain Deragan Black. His keen blue eyes assessing the woman in the bed.

The air in the room vibrated with Deragan’s energy. His impressive figure dwarfing the room.

Did he hear me?

But it wasn’t the Captain Acharius’ eyes locked on. It was the woman standing next to the Captain. Her skin shining like fine ivory. Eyes the purest blue he’d ever seen. Blonde hair pouring down her back and around her shoulders. Framing her face. The same silver-blonde hair she possessed in all her lives.

“You’re as beautiful in this life as the one before.” Acharius gave her a kind smile.

The Captain was fast to introduce them. “Acharius Sevence meet Nora Bishop.”

“The Fallen.” Acharius breathed. Sighing he felt a flicker of hope.

She’s here.

“I see I’ve met you before as well.” She gave him a knowing look before her gaze averted to the Captain. If the room had charged when Deragan entered it now sparked when she looked up at the Captain. Brows lifted question.

Deragan nodded imperceptibly.

Acharius gave a nod of acknowledgement. “You have.”

“Charming for a Viking. When I was told your history, I had some reservations.” She gave the darker man a fond look.

“Fear not. I’m a cultured Viking now.” Acharius’ murmured softly as his gaze fell, and the strain was visible in his shoulders as he looked at the lovely redhead in his lap.

Acharius’ gaze returned to the woman cradled in his massive arms. “Can she be helped?”

Deragan neared. Face impassive as he rested a hand on Acharius’ shoulder. “I know your pain, My Brother. My-Nora-” He corrected. Giving her a quick look. “Was willing to come try but she only newly has her wings. It could go wrong and you may lose her faster?”

Acharius looked up at Deragan’s blue eyes. I’m losing her anyway.

“I’ve held mine as she goes.” Deragan’s voice was rough. “I’ll be here with you. I know that suffering well.”

Acharius blue gaze slide from Deragan to Nora. “Please try. Help her?”

“He’s right.” Nora drew closer. “I can’t guarantee it’ll work.”

“I’m losing her anyway.” Acharius gestured helplessly. “And right now, she’s suffering…”

“She means so much to you?”

Acharius nodded. Face written with pain. “I wanted her for mine. Yet fate would have her before I could. I fear it’s already too late, Miss Bishop.”

He gave Nora a long look.

Squaring her shoulders, she dragged a chair from the wall to next to the bed beside Acharius. She looked down at the woman. “Call me, Nora.”

Nora placed her a flattened palm on Chastain’s abdomen. “Do you love her?”

I answered that to the Captain.

Perhaps not that precise question.

“Yes.” He whispered.

Giving Acharius a sympathetic look, Nora caught one of his large hands and pulled it down to put on Chastain’s belly next to hers. She moved her hand to grip his forearm.

Making connection with both Chastain and I. She’s going to try and use some of my strength to give her.

Take it. Take all of it.

She can have every ounce I possess.

Acharius’ heart was dropping. Watching Chastain’s shallow breaths become increasingly sporadic. He stared down at her flushed, strained face.

So absorbed in Chastain, he’d not noticed Nora beginning to glimmer some. Then brightening until she fully glowed.

“Deragan?” Nora whispered. Giving him a questioning glance.

Drawing Acharius’ eye.

The Captain nodded and strode behind her. Rapidly ripping the back of her dress in a slit down to her waist. Before stepping back to await further need.

Feathered wings soundlessly pulled from her shoulder blades, curving up over the peak of her shoulders to encompass the span of the room. Brushing both walls and bending where they touched the ceiling.

Silver blonde hair was illuminated until ever strand looked like a streak of lightening floating around her. The same streamers of light flowed in waves from her wings. As if they generated an energy all their own. She continued to shine brighter until Acharius had to avert his head. Shielding his eyes with his free hand. Keeping the other firmly bound to Chastain’s stomach.

Where she put it.

The room made a burbling sound before shattering the air in blinding light. Ripping through every room in Meredith House. Light pouring from the front door to trickle through the fence and down the hillside and over farmlands and the village beneath.

Workers paused and closed their eyes, shuddering with joy as it overcame them.

Villagers lifted their face to the sunlight and splayed their arms as elation sifted into them. Lilting laughter falling from their lips. Peace poured over that village and several nearby, in unmistakable warmth, to being wrapped in heated satin.

Chastain’s chamber eventually dimmed to its former shade.

Acharius couldn’t breathe. Heart pulsing with apprehension. Let it work.

He stared at Nora. Hair blown back from his forehead. Too afraid to look at Chastain.

“Acharius?” The tentative voice stole his breath.