FOREVER KNIGHTS: #2 Rise of the King of Assassins

Today, she chose a more common room. Where she spent the majority of her time.

My library.

She stared at the winding gold staircases held by chains and spirals. Dangling with rich red tassels. The steps padded with embroidered red furs. She slid one of the high ladders on its rusted metal wheels.

He winced at the sound. Perhaps I’ve not oiled them in too long.

She tentatively stepped under one of the many archways. This one completely filled with curving shelves. Laden with heavy red and brown leather volumes.

Ancient books.

The wall before the first archway was dominated by the large fireplace which Bast usually tried to keep going as a welcome to guests. Decorated with winding vinework. The mantle reflected the same winking design with one gilded rose sparkling above it.

Across from it was the plush red and gold chair, which Bast favored. And a light blue one which was an exact reflection of the red.

For the comfort of visitors. The table between held a large bowl complete with small glass lid. Filled to brimming with exotic smoked nuts he bought in Mane. Another low square table was tucked behind his red chair and held a decanter of his favorite sherry and a few glasses.

When Forever Knights visited WaterRose they generally knew this was where to find him, were he not in either his upper or lower chambers.

He supposed it was a fantastic discovery for her. Keeping her busy for hours. It’s nice to see someone enjoying this room as much as me.

Due to Bast’s great collection, there was more selection here than even in the vast library of Grier, known for its expansive tastes and the fine teas served to its patrons.

Let her rummage. It keeps her busy and the magic here stable.

Books thumped from the shelves. The ladder squeaking as she moved from one section to the next, stirring up clouds of dust.

He’d just returned home this eve and couldn’t resist peeking in on her.

Strange how much I miss our verbal parrying when I’m away. When home, he checked in on her often.

But today he watched her from the dark near the mantle, hoping to soothe his raw nerves. Seeing her usually calms me.

Fighting with her appeases the pain.

He’d gone to tell Deragan they’d lost the Watchers.

He’d seen the flash of rage and disappointment in the Captain’s eyes. Sensed the Captain’s soul-deep aggravation.

I’d never dreaded so much telling him we failed. He understood why Tev couldn’t face him. Knew his guilt and self-loathing.

But he’d have never given it up willingly. Bast instantly remembered the brutal beating Tev had taken. He saw the cuts marring his torso and tearing over his face and new Tev had fought. Hard.

And Little Brother is fast. Ungodly fast. Bast had seen him operate his hatchets on countless occasions and knew Tev was a warrior.

But little match against Chavias.

And Tev had said that was who came calling for the map.

The one man who knew it existed. He's betrayed us on a whole new level. Bast hated thinking that Chavias would willingly sacrifice the innocent to appease Radix.

The man I knew would've never done that.

Tev had been taking the map from Acharius’ hideout to WaterRose for safekeeping, but the Cimmerii had found him just before crossing the NetherRunnel bridge. They’d attacked and fled with the map.

He couldn’t catch them. And he knew he couldn’t waste all his energy chasing them, so he’d come to me.

Bast still pictured the hollow look the Captain had given him and knew he was devastated. Gunnison Forest had withered under the rainy onslaught that Deragan's grief conjured.

Leaves withered and blackened. Falling from branches as if mocking the alpha's frustrations.

He’d said nothing but Bast knew he wanted to yell, but he held his strong composure as he often did.

Thank God he does. He's strong enough to crush any of us in his fury.

Deragan's mouth whitened as he stared at Bast unblinkingly.

"I know what we’ve done." He’d admitted.

"You can't possibly." Deragan had walked away.

Doing his best not to lash out on me. Bast knew. He’d been willing to take the beating. Knowing the depth of pain this news would cause the Captain.

The loss of her family. The Fallen’s sisters…

“Do you enjoy whatever you do in here?” He snapped a bit viciously at Elsabet. Knowing he was taking out his aggravation on her. Trying to detract from his misery.

Gasping she whipped around to look at him standing in the shadow of the chimney. She teetered on the ladder.

Perhaps I should’ve waited for her to come down. He thought ruefully.

Her blue eyes were round and sparking with surprise. Her hair a silver halo around her face and over her shoulders.

Beautiful. He assessed. Full of emotion, passion, I’d nearly forgotten how to feel.

“How do you get around so quietly?” She snapped.

“Cat paws.” He lifted a boot and gestured to the bottom.

"You are practically feral." She grumbled.

"You've no idea..." He growled. Blue-green eyes trailing over her.

I want her for mine. He'd never felt the urge to mark a woman as he did this one. The wolf in him felt like it was barely leashed. Snarling and chomping to get at her.

To mark her. But he refrained.

"What are you thinking?" She eyed him. Giving him an odd look. The book still in her hands.

As if she knew I was thinking something predatory.

"I was thinking how remarkably beautiful you look today."

She scoffed. "The Hell you were."

I was. And how much I'd like to take it off.

"There's nothing so kind as that, which goes on in your mind." She said with absolutely certainty.

She's not altogether wrong. He watched her fading into the darker parts of the bookshelves. His eyes flaring gold as he caught the sway of her hips and fought the urges of his wolf.