FOREVER KNIGHTS: #16 To Keep Her

Rosewynn Manor, Outside Meadowbrook, Grier

DERAGAN

Nora awoke to morning sunshine and the sweet aroma of flowers. Peeling open a reluctant eye she found a pristine white rose laying on the pillow next to her. Leaning onto an elbow to pick it up she observed the trail leading from her bed to the door.

She followed the trail. Pausing to dress before pinning up her hair and heading downstairs where the trail commenced near the front door, as yet unnoticed by her siblings.

Won’t last long. Deragan knew.

Peeking through the entrance of the Dining Hall, she avoided them in there. Quietly opening the door, she crept out. Picking up the roses as she went.

Probably to keep her nosey brothers from following the path. He peeked around the corner of the house to watch her.

She followed the trail to the back of the house.

He edged to the far corner, out of ready view.

She gasped at the sight of the bubbling fountain, atop which children poured buckets. Water even poured down the back of an intricately carved stone frog perched on a lily pad.

“Gorgeous.” She breathed. Stunned to finally see what was under all the vines. The collection of roses tumbling from her fingertips to litter the grass.

Overwhelmed by the sight, she caressed a hand along the ridge of the fountain. Seeing more white roses, she chased their path to the lovely stone bench.

A place to sit and admire the stonework.

Pivoting, she looked at the fountain from this perspective and glimpsed the etching in the base.

‘Everlasting Love’.

Brows drawing together, she covered her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. She drew a quaking breath. Twisting her finger, she yelped when she rounded and found herself face to face with Deragan Black.

“Hello, My Sweet.”

“It’s so beautiful.” She gestured behind her.

He grinned. Flashing square white teeth. “Glad you like it.”

She smiled beneath lowered lids.

He decided to broach the subject he most wanted to talk about. We never discussed it yesterday. It warrants discussing.

Have a seat. He gestured to the newly-cleaned bench.

“How does it feel to know you saved a woman’s life?” Deragan asked Nora. Surprised to find her awaiting him in the Dining Hall.

She turned her head slowly and looked at him. A huge smile lighting her face. “I’ve never felt anything like it!”

He took his usual seat. Across from her sitting on the bench. “No chocolate tonight?”

“My mind has been racing!” She said quickly. I’m not sure I’ve moved since we returned this morning.

“You did an amazing thing.”

“It felt amazing. It felt like what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“Are you still afraid of all of this?” He asked. Half afraid of the answer.

“More than ever. But I’m beginning to understand it.”

“How so?”

She stood and took two steps toward him.

He rose to meet her. Startled when she caught his shoulders and pulled him down toward her. Stretching to wrap her arms around his neck in a tight embrace. He returned it with as much fervor. His face falling to the top of her head.

I hoped for kiss but this feels just as good right now.

Then she upturned her face and he saw it for what it was.

Good, I’m done waiting too. When he kissed her, he injected ever ounce of passion he’d held for her over the centuries. Offering it to her with every caress and stroke.

She melted into him and moaned in pleasure.

It took him no time to sweep up her legs and carry her to the stairs. Still kissing her wildly as he took them.

Expertly finding her chamber, so close to his. And not giving a damn who saw us inbetween.

He kicked the door closed. And walked to the bed. Kissing her deeply. Catching her leg to pull up next to her so he could feel the smooth length of her leg as he nibbled on her collar and neck.

She stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Deragan?”

“Yes?”

“I can’t-I-”

He drew a slow breath and nodded. “You’re right.”

“I brought you in here to show you something other than lovemaking, though I was certainly lost in the moment.” He stood and put a few feet between them.

“What?” She sat up. Looking flushed and breathless.

“Memories.”

He caught her hands and turned them up. Linking his fingers through hers as he knelt next to the bed between her knees. “Let me give them to you?”

Chewing her lip, a moment, she thought it over.

Please. Let me share them with you.

When finally, she nodded. He bowed his head and unleashed the onslaught of his dreams. His memories and reveries. Every moment of happiness in our lifetimes together.

He was careful to shelter her from the pain and the deaths. She’s already seen those.

These I’ve hidden from her to keep her from thinking she was under a Dread spell.

They were hours spent making love. Dancing under chandeliers. Twirling through the red carpeted corridors of WaterRose.

The moment he’d revealed the stunning stone fountain to her, and she’d exclaimed with joy and nearly swooned from the beauty of his work.

Him chasing her through fields. Him bowing over her hand to offer it kisses. While they shared secret glances promising more.

Standing with him and taking in his earthen scent while Lucien painted their portrait.

She could remember that moment now with perfect clarity. Her body vibrated with the energy pouring for her. Her head swaying forward and back as it was overwhelmed with images of sunny days and warm, evenings and more than anything…the deep blue eyes that had haunted nearly every moment of her existence.

My eyes…