FOREVER KNIGHTS: #4 Battling Black Roses
Like a Child Cowering in the Dark

“Of…course…” He said hesitantly.

“Your tone isn’t reassuring!”

Your words aren’t!

“What do you wish me to reassure?”

“Might we speak face to face?”

Thankfully she couldn’t see his horrified expression. “Certainly not.”

“When do you stop hiding in fog like a child cowering in the dark?”

Cowering? She compares me to a scared child? His nose twitched in his ire.

“You’re not altogether pleasant this eve, Friend.” He limped into the garden to check the inside of the fence. Staying from view of her window.

“Well, running from me wasn’t altogether pleasant either. I’d not known you had a yellow stripe down your back.”

I’m no coward! His head snapped toward her shutters and saw her face poke from the window. Indeed. There’s that look. His eyes narrowed. She’s goading me.

“You’re baiting me apurpose.” He charged. He moved some grass, he inspected where something had chewed through one board, low to the ground.

That’s going to need tending.

She said nothing, but he heard her clothes and hair swish as she shrugged.

She’s not denying it.

“Then touch my hand.” She leaned far out the window. Stretching her arm to offer him her soft white hand.

He turned from the fence, his bow in his fist and stared at her pale palm. “What in Ardae for?”

“I wish to feel your skin. To know you’re real. Do you know how many nights I lay awake wondering if I dreamt you up?”

I haven’t the slightest. He’d never guessed she wondered if she was deluded.

As he eyed it like a snake prepared to strike, she persisted. “You owe me that much, at least.”

Owe you? He was aggravated at the thought. Remembering how many times he’d followed her to the village and back from a distance, to assure she was safe.

How many Nonis I’ve killed just outside these gates, how I kept her secrets, like her ability to grow things.

“It’s just a touch, Acharius.” She whispered. “How much harm could it do?”

He impulsively strolled over and caressed fingertips over her open palm.

Her fingers curled slightly to catch his as he swept over them.

A shock ran through him and his vision blurred before going black. Body rattling with electrical currents. Energy. Like when the Fallen gave us this power.

It poured through him with the same zeal it sent plants growing. Blossoms trailing her every step.

He felt an instant connection. Something deep in his blood. Drawing him to this young woman who breathed life into all she touched. Including me, apparently.

“Your skin is hot.”

He retracted his hand and stuffed down pain at her words. Recognizing he was different. I know this.

So why does her saying it, cut me so deeply? He studied the ground.

“Why have you kept yourself a secret from me?” She asked sadly.

To keep you safe.

And to evade Mags and Agatha’s disappointment in me. He admitted.

“I know not how.” He turned and meandered to his trail.

“You’re running from me again, Shadow.” She charged.

“Perhaps…” He muttered to himself. Limping heavily on his hurt leg.