FOREVER KNIGHTS: #17 Marked As Mine

Wilhelm Castle, Dread Country

MARDICHI

Mardichi had returned from Wilhelm. The staff still weighing heavily on his mind. Amongst other things.

Zuriena had been ignoring him for far too many days now.

And I’ve damn near had it. He thought.

But Bast had cautioned him on patience. And giving her space.

I have been giving her bloody space. He swore under his breath. Every moment of every day.

When all I want is to be next to her. My wife.

He’d watched her sitting next to the fire embroidering. Knowing how much she hated it. Though she often forced herself to because it focused her mind and energy. But it was obvious how much she resented it in the firmness in which she clasped the needle. The force with which she pushed it through the cloth. The tightness of her clenched teeth and lips. But she sat quietly and wiled away the time.

Mardichi wandered over to take the worn wooden chair next to her. Pulling out a tiny knife and working at carving a tiny bit of wood. Whittling away small strips.

She gave him a sideways look and promptly rose to move another chair over, abandoning the one between them.

His shoulders straightened in aggravation. As he watched her move.

What the devil is wrong with her?

How can this be the same woman I knew? The raven and red-haired woman that had spent every night warm in his bed and worked to be close to him every day.

Now she leaves a seat next to me like a child? But mostly he was annoyed he was now deprived of her wild scent and the soft sound of her breaths next to him.

Sir Marsen took the seat between them and Mardichi was near to seething with rage as he forcefully went back to working the little knife on the bit of wood. His body vibrating and all the muscles in his torso and arms wound tight and ready to pounce on the smaller man that dared take his place next to his wife.

It wasn’t calming when the man began talking to her. Trying to charm her with silly, hollow praises.

“That is lovely work you do each day. I quite admire it.” He leaned over to eye the cloth she’d been working.

“Do you?” She asked. Lowering the cloth to look at him. Sparing Mardichi only a glance. “I’d quite like to have a woman such as you, embroidering next to my fire. Cooking and tidying, greeting me with a pretty smile…”

Mardichi snorted. Not looking up from his work. But he felt her eyes on him.

She hated cleaning. And I always had to finish the cooking. She could do the skinning and heating but the finishing touches and telling when a meal was done was always me.

“And you think I’d be the woman suited for you?”

“Quite.” He gave her a prolonged look. His eyes slipping down her figure.

Mardichi snorted again.

Her eyes narrowed on him, past Marsen.

“I’d purchase cattle and chickens for you to raise. You’d be quite comfortable.”

The last thing she’d be was comfortable around chickens. Strangely they seemed to be the only kind of bird that was not fond of her. In-fact they rather disliked her.

Mardichi could not suppress the out and out chuckle that escaped him.

“Is something amusing?” Marsen snapped.

“Highly.” He grunted.

“Pray tell.”

“Ye’d not understand.” Mardichi looked over his head and met Zuriena’s stunning green eyes. Zeroing in on her.

“Is there something going on here?” Marsen looked from him to her and back again.

“More then ye’d ever understand.”

Zuriena fine black brows descended. “Don’t think you know me.” She whispered.

“I don’t think. I know.” His tone was dangerous. He unfolded off the small wooden chair. Towering over both of them sitting. A dark thundercloud. “Don’t toy with me Zuriena. Ye’re bound to get burned.”

“I’ve calluses from those kinds of burns. I’m now immune.” Her chin hitched.

He wanted to grab her and rattle her. Or kiss her. Until all that defiance melted into wanting.

I can do it too. His eyes were set on her. Like predator watching prey. He caught the telltale lifting of her breasts that revealed the quickening of her breaths.

At length she looked away. He started to walk past them but at the last minute spun to slam his palms to the edges of her chair on each side of her hips. Making him lean over the chairback and breathe into her hair.

“Careful your games don’t goad me to dismiss any remnant of gentlemanly teachings.”

She turned her face, nose wrinkled as she answered in the same low voice. “You never had any.”

“Don’t I?” A red brow lifted.

Her look was scathing before she returned her attention to the embroidering as if dismissing him.

Not so easily as that. He thought contemptuously.

“Had I not. Ye’d be flat on your back on this floor.” His tone was flat.

She went ramrod stiff. Still as a statue.

Sensing he’d won. He straightened. Staring down at her frozen back before turning on his booted heel and leaving the room.

“Are you okay?” Marsen asked when he left.

“Yes?” She shot him a quick look. “Why?”

“You’re shaking. Whatever did he say to you?”

She turned to him, mouth moving as if to answer but could find no words.