FOREVER KNIGHTS: #13 Salvaging Souls
I Attempt Amends

It was several hours until the sound of a spurned woman weeping into a pillow subsided. Only then did he brave the stairs.

Coward. He cursed himself for not wanting to see her lovely eyes damp with tears he’d caused.

“Elsabet?” He knocked hesitantly on her door.

“Go away!”

I can’t. I’ve wronged you.

He cracked it anyway. “No. Not until I’ve made clear that I was delighted to see you! I’ve missed your face these many sevennight.”

“And all the sweet nothings I whisper in your ear?” She twisted from the pillow to snap at him. Before flopping back down on her side away from him.

I’d probably fair have a heart attack if that ever happened. He thought ruefully.

“Yes.” He chuckled. “Those too.” He moved to sit on the edge of her bed. Tenderly stretching over to take her small hand between his larger ones. Running his thumb along the back.

“I rarely get the chance to speak to Calisto. To ask her questions about where Raese is and how he’s doing. To tell her we haven’t given up on getting them both back.”

I needed to speak to her. It’s been over a decade.

“You seemed more in haste to reassure her.”

I was. But out of friendly affection not deep love.

“That too.” Bast admitted. “She’s been trapped outside of time a long while now. I don’t know how long someone can sustain life that way, before giving up. I’ve felt her grow weaker. Any chance I get, I try to keep her going. Keep her full of hope and wanting to be here.”

Without those desires, she’ll just fade away.

“Why is she so important to you?”

“Because without Calisto there’s no Raese.” His answer was instantaneous.

Giving her pause at his obvious sincerity. Elsabet’s eyes roved his face.

Seeing if I’m telling true. As always.

Wondering if I feel more for Calisto then I’m saying. I don’t.

“Look hard, Little One. You’ll replace no deception.” He caressed her chin with his fingers.

“It’d be interesting…”

“What?” His brows lifted at the dry note in her tone.

“To imagine people saying such a thing of you.”

Saying what such thing?

She elaborated. “The great Sebastian is nothing without that nasty little valkyrie.”

“They probably already do.” He said ruefully. “And I’d not call you nasty. Vindictive yes, but not nasty.”

Mardichi refers to you as the best healer in the country. And Bast could admit to himself that it made him feel a pang of envy to hear him saying such sweet things to her.

She blew a long breath. But didn’t grant him the half-smile she often did as they bantered.

She doesn’t believe it.

“It was your deep blue eyes I missed, your sing-song voice, your breathtaking face that kept me up late at night.”

Fantasizing about her attacking me in the library again. And again. And again.

“Not Calisto’s?” She asked softly.

“Not Calisto’s.” He shook his head. “She’s my friend. Been so a long time and I wouldn’t forsake her or the brother that loves her. So have some faith in me when your jealousy rears its ugly head.”

No need for it.

Giving a quick nod, her gaze fell to her hands on the coverlet.

“But mistake me not. I thrive in your jealousy…” He lifted her chin. “Just not your pain.”

“You want me jealous?”

“How else would I know?” He rose from the bed. Aiming for the door.

“Know what?”

That you care at all.

“You know what Elsabet.” He shot a tender smile over his shoulder. Stopping at the entrance, he added. “Oh, and my brother will be coming for a long visit.”

Alazareth.

“Why?” She questioned.

“To be here in-case I’m not, if Calisto comes back. And to help me watch over WaterRose.”

“Is WaterRose threatened?”

“Yes.” He stepped through and peered around the edge of the door to meet her gaze.

“By whom?”

“By my valkyrie captive.” The door clicked closed.