FOREVER KNIGHTS: #9 Feral Breed

Night Manor, Mane Country

CHAVIAS

You worked until your hands ached today. Chavias thought, watching Sabine emerging from the tidy parlor. It was clear to him, she was exhausted.

Clutching her skirts as she weakly climbed the stairs. Moving to the hall to creak open the door to a chamber she’d claimed she jerked to a stop.

Unaware Chavias stood within arm’s reach behind her. Against the shadow of the wall watching her. So close he already smelled the honeyed sweetness of her hair.

Torches burned on both sides of the room, sending a warm glow through the chamber. A thick fur warmed the floor next to the dancing fire. The centerpiece of the room was the tiny table across from the fire displaying a silver dome covering a hot trencher. Steam crept from around the edges. The intricate handle was irresistible.

Lifting it she found hot chicken accompanied by a tiny bowl of sugared butter sauce and some steaming vegetables still fresh and crisp. And a chunk of bread and cheese completed the offering of a hearty meal for the appetite she’d worked up. Stunned she let the dome clatter back to the table and turned slowly. Seeing no one she stepped into the corridor and found no one lurking. Swallowing hard she returned to the table to eat. Staring at the food awhile.

As though it’d bite you.

A hoarse caw caught her attention and she turned and saw the crow sitting on the window ledge. Eying her through large black eyes.

Sitting at the table, her back stiffened as her eyes moved from the bird to the food. “If you took such care to have this pleasant array find its way to my chamber, the least you could do is not bid me partake alone.”

You’re inviting me?

“I hadn’t thought you’d want my company any longer.” He stood behind her staring down at her moonlit hair. His hands unable to resist falling on her slim shoulders and heaving collarbone. Fingertips caressing there thoughtfully.

He was surprised when she instantly relaxed. Her head falling back somewhat as though to rest against him.

So trustingly. How could you trust me, Sweet Thing?

“I’d take any company rather than my own in this big empty place. You’re rarely here. And almost never during the day.”

I’m working in the lair. Or on missions for Radix.

“I cannot be. If I could, I would. Anytime you wanted me to be.” He was faintly surprised at how true the words were. Saying them before he’d thought about it.

To his utter shock she reached up and put a small hand over the back of his war roughened one. That soft touch made him exhale a long breath.

Before he knew it, he found himself falling to his knees behind her. His hand frozen where it was. That gentle touch nearly enough to shatter him.

No woman has touched me with such warmth. Or kindness in longer than I can remember.

The crow flew from the window to land on his shoulder as he stared at the back of her in shock.

“What? What is it?” She was as still as a doe in the crosshairs of an arrow. Yet she’d not retracted that much-needed touch.

Don’t turn.

Let me have this moment.

The chair creaked as she finally twisted to look at him. Meeting his penetrating gray gaze.

His face was inscrutable. “It’s been an eternity since I felt a gentle hand.”

It felt like electricity coursed through him. His eyes brightened with the energy flooding into him at that simple touch.

Her magic is feeding mine…

“I don’t understand.” Her head shook slightly but her fingers suddenly curled as she gripped his hand. Sensing his desperation.

He fought emotion and put a palm over his face to shield his mouth and the eye closest to her. “When did I become so weak?”

Brought to my knees by a woman’s touch?

“Help me understand.” She jerked around on the chair to face him. Scooping his hand and pulling it into her lap. Reaching out shaking fingers, she tugged his other from his face and met his look squarely.

I’m exposed. How could I explain this to her. For a heartbeat he was tempted to tell his Snow Angel everything. Anything she’d ask.

As he searched for words he suddenly felt weak, lightheaded. My spirit is withdrawing.

“I cannot. If-If I could-it would be…” But his outline shimmered than faded from the room.

In seconds his screams were echoing in the Stone Peak caverns as Okine worked his rusted blades.