FOREVER KNIGHTS: #17 Marked As Mine

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

ALAZAR

Riaura rose from a chilly bed. Far from as warm as it’d been last night. She straightened her back and her chin tilted determinedly. She now knew she’d been very wrong about Alazar. She pulled a velvet bag from a drawer near her.

There was a hastily indrawn breath, and something whispered across the bedding.

When she looked down a single white rose lay on the coverlet.

She found him at the breakfast table partaking of meat and eggs and slowly drawing the fork to his mouth.

He didn’t spare her a glance. Wiping his mouth with a cloth. “Ah, Riaura. Welcome to breakfast.”

Laughter teased about her lips at his bored tone.

She knows I left the flower.

She knows I was there. I shouldn’t have done it. He knew it as soon as he’d left her the rose. But had wanted to make amends for the pain she was suffering.

“I’ve come to negotiate with you...” She slapped a small leather pouch on the table. It gave a metallic clank on the oaken tabletop.

Alazareth’s fork paused half-way to his mouth. Head slowly tilting in curiosity. Fork clattering to the trencher as he slid the bag next to his trencher. He wiped his hands on the cloth napkin before dropping his hands to his lap, as though reluctant to touch the thing. “What is it?”

She laughed roughly. “Nothing that’ll harm you.”

“That may be a matter of opinion.” He suggested, gaze unfaltering.

She sighed. “I know I haven’t been kind to you in a very long time, and I’m-” She sighed.

He smiled patiently. Is she actually going to say it?

“I’m s-s-s” she blew out a breath.

His expression unchanging. “Go ahead. I’ll wait.”

She bit her lip. “You know what I am.”

He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Beautiful?”

She blinked rapidly and shook her head slightly, unsure what to say. “No. I’m...”

He laughed. “You’re sorry. If I continue waiting for you to say it, we’ll never get to the bag.” He lifted it meaningfully before letting it thunk back to the table.

She pursed her lips.

“What is it?”

“It’s a gift. Men in my family wear it to signify they belong to their wife.”

It was a long moment of him studying her, before he opened the bag to carefully peer inside.

Elaborate silver metalwork surrounded a delicately chipped onyx stone. The result looked like a night sky shimmering with stars framed by twining metal. Symbolizing Nightway Castle. Glittering from within the pouch. Beckoning he wear it.

Alazar reached into the bag and jumped when the ring slid on his finger of its own volition. He leapt back in his chair. Shaking his hand to dislodge the ring. It seemed the onyx was like an eye, staring back at him. An eerie feeling settled deep in him. He grabbed the ring and attempted to remove it. Glancing at Riaura who watched him attentively. Tugging it again, he found the ring only tightened. He couldn’t budge it.

Riaura watched him struggling expressionlessly.

Alazar didn’t like being the victim of anything or anyone.

The ring wouldn’t relent.

He half-snarled as he battled wills with the jewel of Nightway.

“Are you intent on severing your own finger to remove it?”

“Considering it.” He eyed it askance.

“Alazar.”

He looked at her with a furrowed brow.

“That ring will only seat itself on the hand of a man worthy of Nightway. And of the Queen’s heart. What I could question for myself...that ring won’t.”

His confusion was obvious. And I’m feeling a bit betrayed.

She knew this would bite on to me. His frustration made it hard to search through his muddled thoughts.

He held his hand up, displaying the gift. “This confounded thing means all that?”

She laughed heartily. “It does.”

The ring seemed to relax. Easing its grip to become more comfortable.

Sighing, his hand dropped to the tabletop. He rose and rounded it to stand next to her. “I kneel to no one, Riaura...”

“What’s that to do with anything?” It was her turn for confusion to overwhelm her.

“Except to you, my queen.” he dropped to his knee and took her small hand between his. “I’d like you to be my life in spirit as well as flesh?”

She half-smiled. “I will.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I swear to finally treat you as you deserve. I’ll no longer question how I feel about you.”

He stood lifting her above him. “Riaura, sweet. I’ll always hold you up.”

“Easy to say.” She stroked the length of his nose. Smiling warmly. “Forget not how infuriating I can be.

“Oh, I’m well aware.” He set her down. Giving her a stern look. “Still. I will.”

“You always have.” She whispered. Ruffling his spiked hair.

He caught her head and wildly did the same.

Much to her objections as she tried to flee around the table.