FOREVER KNIGHTS: #2 Rise of the King of Assassins
Rhyers Confronts Her

Christophe Rhyers, a man with pale eyes and long black hair stepped from the shadows. So quiet he scared the life out of Elsabet, who stood glaring hatefully down the corridor at where Sebastian had disappeared.

"Where the devil did you come from?" She jumped. Blue eyes huge on his tall, slim form.

He wore a long black satin cloak over a fitted vest. Every stitch of clothing in place as it always seemed to be on this man.

Rhyers clucked in his cheek and shook his head.

“Would it’ve killed you to offer him a little reassurance?” Disapproval was written over his face.

"For what?" Her brows descended as she gave the man her full wilting look. “What business is it of yours?”

“He’s my friend.” Rhyers gestured down the corridor. “And he asked you for so little. Something he desperately needed.”

“Why are you here?” She demanded. But a brief flash of guilt crossed her face as she took in the man’s chiding.

“I followed him back here to make sure he was okay. He was quite unwell just a short time ago…” Rhyers stared down the corridor as well. Listening for the sounds of Bast shedding his armor in his chamber.

“Can you not feel his grief?” Rhyers murmured. Knowing the waves of it were nearly stifling to everyone else in the stronghold.

She stiffened. Her chin jutting.

“He lost someone dear tonight.”

“A woman?”

“Would it've been a woman at his side while he wore armor and was covered in blood and mud?” Rhyers’ waspish tone made his derision obvious.

She grudgingly shook her head. “Likely not.”

“Definitely not. He lost a brother tonight. Yet he came straight here, and his face lit at the sight of you. He asked you for a smile, for some bit of brightness. And you gave him cunning, manipulation and sorrow. What a horrible little creature you are.” Rhyers shook his head and spun to walk away.

Elsabet’s eyes darkened to red as she watched the man’s back, but she made no argument with his words.

“Offer the man a bit of comfort!” He tossed over his shoulder.

“He isn’t mine to comfort!”

“He’s as much yours as everyone else’s!” Rhyers spun on his heel to glower down the corridor. Aware Bast likely heard his words, but too angry at the wench to care.

“But you are the one he seeks when he needs some warmth. Not all of us that’d gladly give him brotherhood. He shows us only courage and strength. But you,” He pointed a judging finger at her. “You offer only spite.”

He was gone before she could summon a fitting retort.

Even Sebastian sitting quietly in his chamber was astounded at the wise words of his friend.

He's right. I did seek comfort from her.

Of all the people in Ardae...And of all the women that would've offered it, she's the one I want. It was a rather stunning revelation.

Sebastian had never craved the touch of a woman as he did this slight woman. The tiny, angry, harpie.

Elsabet hadn’t been the only one Rhyers enlightened tonight.

After his momentary astonishment, Bast blew out a long breath and his head fell to his filthy hands. Too exhausted to deal with more complications atop his mourning Chavias.