FOREVER KNIGHTS: #16 To Keep Her

Rosewynn Manor, Outside Meadowbrook, Grier

DERAGAN

Deragan blinked blearily. Waking from a long, refreshing Knight Sleep to find Nora standing over him. “Yes? Can I help you?”

Say yes. He blinked blearily up at her. Propping up on one elbow. His senses were far too dulled to block the pillow flying over her shoulder to slam down on him ferociously.

He flattened on his back and blocked his face with his arms as the down filled fabric launched over him repeatedly. “Wait. Wait!” He waved his hands. “I surrender.”

What warranted this assault? When it stopped, he peeked one eye open to peer up at her.

She was panting with the pillow gripped over one shoulder. Hair disheveled from the force she’d brought it down on him.

“Might I ask what I did?”

“I read the book! And I’ve considered everything you showed me yesterday.”

The images of her and I.

“And?”

She whacked him with the pillow again despite his objections. “Why,” Whack. “didn’t” Whack. “you” Whack. “tell me sooner!” She huffed.

I didn’t think you’d believe me.

He waved his hands to ward her off. Half laughing as he sat up. “I’ve learned over the years that if I ambush you with everything too fast it’s too much to take in and you retreat from me.”

“And?” She lifted an annoyed brow. “I fail to see how that’s my fault?”

“It’s not but if you’re further from me, you’re closer to Radix.”

I have to be careful. That’s my worst fear.

“And you let-” Whack. “me go” Whack. “all this time without knowing you existed!” Whack.

“Can I have the pillow?” He blocked his face with one arm and held his hand out with the other.

Hand it over.

“Not a chance.” She scoffed.

“Fine.” He swept up one from his bed and launched it at her.

Then retaliation is warranted.

It caught her in the face and made her stumble back a few steps, sputtering in outrage.

“You started it.” He leapt to his feet. Backing around the bed so it was between he and she. “I can’t tell if you’re truly upset or trying to play with me!”

“Both.” She glowered.

How do I convert this to something more endearing?

“Peace. Peace! What must I do?” He straightened.

“Apologize.”

What’d she say? Why?

“For?” He lifted black brows.

“Waiting so long.”

“I’m sorry for that. But I know not how-”

Else I could’ve done it.

“Hush!” She put one hand up to silence him. “No, ‘but’.”

“Fine. I apologize Nora for keeping a secret from you.”

Necessary as it may’ve been.

The pillow dropped to her side. “I forgive you. Now show me everything about this house!”

“Everything?” He slumped. “Do you know how many secrets we’ve hidden all over this property?”

You can’t possibly!

“What kind of secrets?” She flopped the pillow onto his bed. “Intriguing ones?”

“Jewelry. Art pieces decorate this whole Manor that are done by Lucien.”

“Sabias…” She recognized the name from all her visions.

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know Sebastian and Alazareth and Rhyers had all become like brothers to me.”

“They all were.” He said softly. “You were like their sister.”

“Now that I know of them. I miss them.”

“I can bring them to you?”

“To meet me?”

“They’d like that.” He nodded. “I could summon them.”

“Please do!” She pleaded. “I’d love to know them again.”

He smiled. As if I’ve ever denied her anything.