FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts

Warlock Grove, Nightway

ALAZAR

Alazar returned to Warlock Grove winding his way up to the meadow encircling WaterRose. As the Captain directed. His thoughts wandered to Riaura as he used a kerchief to wipe his bloodied hands. Blood the Captain didn’t direct me to spill…

Blood Savage Jack won’t be happy I did.

On his way back, he’d stopped by the Bear’s Claw Tavern in MidGale City before returning to Nightway. To drink. To think.

And to avoid her question. He admitted to himself.

Why am I even out here? She’s probably in Nightway with Danbury now. That made his throat tighten and drove him to drink more heavily.

Why do I feel such rage at the thought of Danbury trying to bond with her?

Alazareth was aware he’d been growing increasingly more irritable at the mention of Charles Danbury. And, to avoid Riaura’s wild emotions, he’d sought to be more careful about letting his ire be so readily visible.

What’s wrong with the girl of late? We used to be so close. Now she asks this of me…

Recently she’d come to see him less. But she’d been insistent he went on this mission. Showing up the last few nights to ask if it was done yet.

So yesterday, despite himself, when he’d found the note, she’d tucked under a rock near the pond he’d been unable to resist the meeting she’d requested.

He rounded the grove to the water’s edge. Finding her sitting on the soft grove mosses under the trees. Toying with a blinding green light between her hands. Drawing some of the Warwood fairies. Making their little gold heads peer from under leaves at her brightening glow.

“Alazar?” She called to him.

“When did you learn to do that?”

“This?” She smiled arrogantly.

She’s showing off. She wanted me to see she’d mastered it.

“That’s what you did when that Rebel came after you. When did you learn to do that?”

“It’s something I’ve toyed with over the years. I think they may’ve seen me do it. Perhaps that’s why they wanted me dead. They think I’m a Dread?” She lifted her brows. “Teasing light from air. It’s magic, isn’t it? What do you think?” She lifted inquiring brows.

“It’s as green as your eyes.” He was mesmerized by the luminescence reflected there.

“I know! And hot to the touch.” She said in wonder as she rolled it in the air. Showing him how brilliant it became in the middle. “Feel.”

“You know I can’t feel hot or cold.” But he obediently reached. Retracting his hand as he sensed he injured himself.

She knew I’d hurt myself trying. He realized.

“I know.” She grinned. “But you can smell your singed skin.”

“I can indeed.” He gave her a rueful look. Seeing he’d been set up. “I smell like burnt hair. Thanks to you.”

“You are indeed hairy.” She nodded teasingly. “Everywhere.”

His eyes narrowed mockingly but amusement was there.

Her face sobered, and she doused the light by closing her fist. “Did you do it? Is he dead?” She leaned up toward him on her knees. Causing the split in her gold trimmed green dress to open to her hip. Revealing a length of creamy thigh.

She followed his hungry gaze. A flirtatious smile curving her lips as she eyed him from under lowered lashes. Knowing that look on his face.

“He’s dead.” Alazar’s chin lifted and his face hardened.

She’s playing me for a fool. But knowing it didn’t make it any less effective.

“Charles will be grateful.”

Screw Danbury. That pissed him off. Thankfully, at least, distracting him from thoughts of kissing along the inside of that thigh.

“I didn’t do it for Danbury.” Contempt made Alazar’s lip twitch.

“Why do you wince when I say his name?” She shifted on her knees.

Because he disgusts me. A sniveling whoreson. Greedy. Bloodthirsty.

The full force of pretty green eyes lit on him, waiting. Her hooded eyes were vibrant with strange light.

She’s planning games tonight. He was instantly wary.

“Whose?” His voice deepened, and hands grew busy with running through his hair and adjusting the armor he wore.

She followed his hands and blinked. “What armor is that? Is that Guard armor?”

“It’s from the village.”

“NightVille?” She asked.

No. Too close. She could check.

“MidGale.”