FOREVER KNIGHTS: #4 Battling Black Roses

WaterRose, Meadowbrook, Grier Country (Elsabet captive for nineteen years)

SEBASTIAN

Elsabet walked the corridor. Pausing when she saw a hooded figure coming down the long hall past the stairs, where the back entrances were. Moving uncomfortably and dragging a shoulder and head along the wall making a horrible grating sound.

Someone who didn’t want seen by the others. The sight was so eerie that at first Elsabet paused.

The torches dimmed as the figure approached. Agonizingly slow.

“Sebastian?”

He stopped. “Good evening Elsabet.” His deep timbre sounded tired. Indeed, he was.

The plan hadn’t gone as intended.

I didn’t prepare to drink the poison myself. But when the Dread Witch caught me…

His face was in shadow, but he knew she’d noticed the way he leaned heavily to the side. Only the wall was keeping him up. I look the embodiment of strength and manly stature. He thought dryly. A bit ashamed she’d see him in this state.

“What’s wrong with you?” Her gaze narrowed on him, askance.

“I’m very tired, Elsabet. I drank some poison.” He sighed. Too exhausted for something clever.

“Why in the world would you do that?” She stomped.

It seemed a good idea at the time.

“To get someone else to partake without knowing it was poisoned.”

“That’s was incredibly foolish! Will you die?”

Perhaps telling you was foolish. He shifted. Uncomfortable with her reprimanding tone.

“Are you hoping?” He eyed her with the half of his face that seemed unaffected. Blood eased from the other eye and from his ear.

The sight made her pale. “No.” She chokingly admitted.

“Then no Elsabet. You’re desire for me to live will help me press on.” He said in a chivalrous tone.

“Are you teasing me?” She glared.

Whenever I can.

In hopes one day you’ll reveal the same humor that led you steal my sherry and snack from the library. He recalled with a wan grin.

“Quite possibly.” He leaned more heavily on the wall.

“You, foolhardy man! There’s no man more foolish in the world!”

That may be true.

“Your deep sympathy is overwhelming.” His tone was dry.

“I’m not sympathetic.”

Weren’t you?

“Aren’t you sweet.” He coughed roughly.

Approaching quickly, she drew near to see his face. Vibrant blue-green eyes were visible. When she was close enough, she flicked her eyes red to better see in the dark. Taking in the claw marks tearing his skin from his chin up the side of his face.

“Are you okay?” She asked urgently. Without realizing she’d grabbed his square jaw and angled it down to her, so she could better inspect his injuries.

Your hands are warm.

Put them lower. It’ll make me feel better. But he was too tired to banter.

“She scratched me when she realized what I’d done to the dram.”

“Looks like she did a good job.” She turned his face to the other side to see the wounds from a different angle. Murmuring thoughtfully, “You healed right away when I did this to you.”

“Yes, but then I wasn’t using my magic to maintain a disguise, cloak her panicked screams, and fight the effects of the poison myself.”

Elsabet’s hand trailed the path of the wounds down his neck and she absentmindedly began shoving at the cloak on him to part the lacings. Chasing the slashes over his collar and disappearing from sight under his tunic.

Her nimble fingers made short work of his shirt lacings.

“Finally.” He said with a weak grin.

She only gave him a look but didn’t slow her mission.

He lightly swatted her hand away. “Cease woman. You’re not to be stripping me when I’m too weak to fully appreciate it.”

She didn’t acknowledge that either, gaze fixated on where scar lines thickened as they disappeared under his customary white tunic.

“Will you be scarred forever?”

Who knows?

“I haven’t the faintest. I’ve never drank poison afore to know how it effects my healing.”

Or prevents it.

She was gnawing her lip as her eyes trailed the marks on his face. Her palm lingering over the raised scar on his upper chest.

Her touch is warm. He started to lean back, nearly purring as it soothed the ache in his muscles. He stared down his nose at her. Eyes glowing slightly under the hood.

“That look of worry on your lovely face is not quite doing the trick for me either. Perhaps some strawberries might change it to something more interesting?”

Strawberries affect her pheromones. He smiled at the memory of her on her toes kissing him.

She glared up at him. “You’re not amusing!”

“As you’ve told me.” He sighed.

“Who hurts you so?” She demanded. Tiny hands fisting at her sides.

“You. Always refusing plump, ripe, sweet strawberries. Pastries, cakes, everything I spend so much effort finding for you…It wounds my fragile heart…”

I’d dearly love to see that sweet reaction again.

“You’ll not fool me again.” She dismissed with a dark look.

Making him laugh roughly in a raw throat.

“Who harmed you?” She tugged at his shirt so roughly he rocked forward and back. Her face was inches from his chest, and he was highly tempted to catch the back of her head and press her lips to his skin.

Would she kiss it? Or bite me?

“Why?” He grinned in the dark. “Would you defend me? Leap at the chance to take on my attackers?”

Gaze falling, she took a step back. Taking away that warm touch. “I-I-” Her eyes scanned the floor rapidly. “No. I…” Finally, she turned and began walking away.

“Run girl. Run.”

“I’m not running.” Whipping around she marched back. “Why do you always accuse me of that?”

“Why do you always flee from me?” Swaying forward he dropped his face down to hers. Nearly nose-to-nose.