FOREVER KNIGHTS: #4 Battling Black Roses

“What do you want!” She said venomously, drawing his attention as she nearly vibrated with rage.

He growled in answer.

Storm-tossed blue eyes narrowed on him hatefully. “Go. Away.”

“Not until we talk. I thought we could have a reasonable conversation as proper adults over breakfast.”

“I won’t join you.”

As you haven’t for months.

“Of course, you won’t! Because I wish you too!”

“We can’t all have what we wish for…” She shot out. “Like freedom for instance!” Her brows rose in challenge.

“Is that why you did it?”

Her eyes fell and her weight shifted to one side.

That’s not guilt. She’ll rant or apologize. This is shame…

Shame? She’s ashamed of being with me?

But there was panic written over her too.

No. Her shame. She’s ashamed of her desire?

Ridiculous. But he was very certain that’s what plagued her.

She shifted, disconcerted by the intensity on his lowered face.

Though he hadn’t pinned her where she was, he was fully prepared to get ahold of her if she tried to bolt. It was written over his face and obvious in the muscle ticking in his jaw.

“Is it?” He demanded.

“You’re a monster!”

What?

“No, I’m not!” He expostulated. Tossing his head in annoyance as he stepped back.

She drew a relieved breath.

“I’m a disgusted, frustrated man.” He enunciated.

I’m no monster.

“What do you have to be disgusted with?” She leaned forward. Eyes sparking with beautiful rage.

“The same thing you do.”

“You!” She shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Yes, me.” His voice dropped until only she heard.

“What did you say?” She gave him a confused look. Posture relaxing as the conversation changed.

He drew quick breaths, fists tight as he tried to control the things writhing under his skin. One reared under his collar. Making the thin bone crunch and jut from the skin. Rupturing the tender skin.

Ouch! He slapped a hand to it.

Ah, shit. He gasped in pain. Wincing, as he took a hesitant step back. Skin peeling around the bit of protruding bone and a small gold paw emerged. Decked with tiny claws. Frantically scratching away his skin. Digging its way out.

Stop! No.

Not right now! Fabric ripped at the back of his shirt. Another miniature dragon burrowed near his spine. A rib fractured and split. Making him put a hand over it trying to hold it together. Huffing, he leaned over fighting the pain. Trying to keep the creatures in, he limped from the room. Leaning left to evade the pain of broken bones on his right.

“What are those?” Elsabet’s eyes widened. Glimpsing black marking’s moving under the laces at his collar. Shifting like clouds over a night sky. “What’s happening?” Her voice became more urgent. Worried.

But Bast was in too much pain to notice. He made it to his chamber and dropped to his bed. Letting those emerging free themselves. Fighting the pain, as they tore free of his flesh.

But two thoughts lingered beyond the pain.

Why was she ashamed of her desire?

She wasn’t ashamed of being with me. It consoled the physical agony ripping his body apart.