FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts
Conflict Over My Leaving

“No!” She gestured frantically. “I don’t want to know!” She shoved him back and ran from the room.

His hands fell. Knowing he’d lost.

“You’ve nothing to fear.” He watched her go.

Less than an hour later he saw her standing at the window slit of her chamber. Staring down at the bailey. Watching him mount Sivikon.

She’d taken to watching him leave lately. He heard her thoughts, wondering if he’d taken another woman.

It’s laughable truly. I’ve no time. And all my thoughts of ravishment are intertwined with you! He gave her a long look shaking his head purposefully.

She’s not here for me. I’ll never touch her. You’ve nothing to fear. He willed her to understand the other woman was in his castle for no other reason than to cleanse her evil.

His cloak billowed around the white stallion as he crossed the meadow into the treeline. Looking back, he saw loneliness written in Elsabet’s slow movements as she turned from the window slit.

Don’t. Don’t be sad.

I’ll prove it to you. Somehow.

She presumed there was only one reason a man left at odd hours and hid where he went.

You’re wrong. He yearned for the discussion. A discussion where I could argue these points with you.

I only fear if you know how long I’ll be gone, you’ll formulate a plan to leave me…

The walls of WaterRose released a sorrowful moan. Echoing through the corridors and out across the meadow.

The echo of her sorrow. He knew.

Night after night she watches me. Sneaking into my room to witness me sleep. I wonder, is it just a desire to kill me? Or is there some part of her that wonders about me like I wonder about her?

What I think when I sleep? What I dream? She has such an odd mix of fear, pain and hate on her face when I wake. I wonder if it’s her fear, a need to always know where I am, that urges her to creep into my chamber at night.

Or dare I hope there’s some hint of longing? Curiosity?

Perhaps Lucien is right, and I’ve grown too soft in my feeling for her.

From the Journal of Sebastian Bodane.