FOREVER KNIGHTS: #16 To Keep Her

Rosewynn Manor, Outside Meadowbrook, Grier

SEBASTIAN

Both Deragan and Nora stared at a red bird flying along the rafters of the chamber.

“Captain!” Sebastian called as he threw open the door. His contained beasts writhing in him. Generating enough energy, he nearly spilled over with it.

“Something is wrong.” Deragan twisted away from Nora to eye the door.

Another creature she rose. Deragan was proud of her but knew something was more imperative just now.

Bast tumbled up the stairs. Throwing open the door to her chamber.

Sensing my location as aptly as I sense his urgency. Even were it not in his voice.

“What is it?” Deragan asked.

“Acharius.”

The howling.

“I heard his cries. The woman?”

His redhaired girl?

“She was crushed in a collapse when Chavias attacked.” Bast confirmed.

Who was Chavias after? Him or her?

“What woman?” Nora asked.

“Acharius’.” Bast supplied. “She’s a Watcher.”

Deragan shot to his feet. “A Watcher?”

Why wasn’t I told! Deragan’s fury made the walls of the manor groan and the floor rumble as it vibrated with his rage. His growl pulled from his throat in the same deep notes. A warning to Sebastian.

“I know.” Bast lowered his head.

He’s defied me yet again by keeping this from me.

“She’s important.” Bast said under his breath.

“Where is she?”

“Meredith House.”

“She’s not ready.” Deragan gestured to Nora.

I should have known about this before.

“Ready for what?” She asked worriedly. Looking from one man to the next.

“Not much to lose now.” Bast shook his head sadly. “She’s fading anyway.”

“Do you think you can make an effort to heal something bigger?” Deragan looked over his shoulder at Nora.

She’ll be shattered if she fails.

“A person-a-a woman?”

She’s afraid.

I’m not sure she can do it either. His fingertips brushed his thumb.

“You’re worried too.” She caught the motion.

Shaking his hand, he reminded himself to stop. She knows me as well as I know her.

“I-I will try.”

Deragan offered her a hand.

She gazed into his face to garner strength as she took it.

Deragan yearned to ask her if she was sure but knew she wasn’t. Neither am I.

But what choice do we have, if she’s a Watcher? It’s worth the effort.

Deragan and Nora followed Bast down the stairs, hand in hand.

She’s only so bold because she’s afraid. He knew. He prayed Nora was strong enough to give the girl a chance.

Meredith House, Merwood, Dread Hideout

ACHARIUS

Chastain awoke only to fall into slumber again at irregular intervals.

Meredith House was as silent as the calm before a storm.

Acharius remained there all the hours of that day. He wouldn’t be persuaded to relinquish his grip. The desperate howl of the red dragon reverberating through Dread Hideout and even making Teverius and Serdephe sit up from their slumber in Teverius’ hut.

“One of us is in pain.” Tev murmured.

Only when her breaths grew sporadic and she began to wreak of the scent of death did he leave her. I have to get help.

He perched on Bell Tower. Red scaled tail and front limbs coiled around it’s peak. Adjusting his taloned feet made chunks of stone grate down the sides of the tower to tumble into the woods. His head upturned as he howled again. Crying his agony to the Heavens and the falling night. Acharius’ beast raged at the injustice.

Only when the dreadful howling ceased did Acharius stride back into the chamber, composed again. He climbed onto the cot to lay at Chastain’s side. All he could do to keep her relatively warm.

How could such a beautiful life be extinguished in mere moments?

Chavias’ attack had cause another and another until beasts had closed in on her. Like wooden bits falling atop each other in a line.

Watching her face, faintly illuminated by moonlight seeping in around her shutter he put a hand to her head and injected peace. Knowing he could only offer her the illusion of it for a time. Until the next bout of pain swelled through her.

“So precious.” He withdrew his hand. She looked so frail. Her brow damp with sweat. Red hair trailing across the pillows and soft green eyes lidded.

Without her my eternity will be only shades of gray. Cold, long, and unimpassioned. He sighed heavily catching her small hand and massaging the palm with his thumb. Pain washed through him but he wasn’t sure he even remembered how to cry anymore.

Acharius hadn’t slept by the following morning. Knowing his hair hung limp and dull and his eyes had flattened to slate gray. Cold with his fear. His forehead ached with the pained expression he wore. He murmured soothingly into the hair at her brow. How could this happen?

She opened her pretty eyes. Making her face seem all the more pale. She smiled sadly at him. Linking her fingers through his as she panted.

“I love you Chastain. I’m fated to for an eternity. You’re my mate.” Deep creases darkened under his eyes. Lips tight and face hollow with his worry.

“I’m dying.” She said simply, swallowing hard. She tried to say more but had to gulp again to assuage the dryness in her throat.

Acharius quickly covered her mouth with a gentle hand and shushed her.

He hugged her close as her heavy lids floated closed.

Her world dimmed. A single tear tracing down her face. She gave a short gasp then was silent. Her body relaxing.

His face showed his horror. Acharius’ bitter cry filled the air. He brushed loose tendrils back from her face and caressed her smooth cheeks. Arms tight as he rapidly rocked her, in an attempt to suppress his agony. “Not her...my life without her would be unbearable! Don’t take her.”

The sense of emptiness that filled the room set him on fire. Why would I find her only to lose her? How can life be so cruel. His sadness seemed to heavy to bear. The chamber door flew open. Slamming against the wall and startling him.

Making red scales surge protectively over his back.