FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts
CHAVIAS - Cornered by Deiti

CHAVIAS

The ball in Tamarin Hall was a packed event. So crowded men and woman alike stood hip to hip. Sabine, magnificent in a silver gown the same platinum as her hair, was engrossed in a conversation with friends. Smiling brightly, she turned. Making gold medallions at her neck and ears glint as brightly as the candlelight in her eyes.

Looking like some sparkling angel from a dream. A dream with falling snowflakes in a forest. When Chavias edged nearer to get a better look at her, her head shot up like a hound on the scent. He was shocked to see her blatantly looking for him. Even more astounding was when she tipped her head down and whispered so quietly only he heard her clear.

“Are you magic?” She breathed.

How’d she know I could hear her?

“What did you say?” LauraBeth asked.

“I smell you.” Sabine spun a circle peering around. Eyes cutting every man in her vicinity.

LauraBeth inhaled deeply. “You do? Do I smell unappealing?” She frowned.

“I’m not talking to you!” Sabine shushed her with a waving hand.

She’s talking to me. Trying to get me to answer.

Trina gasped. “Surely you’re not implying I am odorous!”

“Would you two quit!” Sabine snapped. “I’m looking for him. Look for anyone we don’t know. He’s here.”

“The ghost?” LauraBeth asked. Eyes wide as she turned as though her neck twisted on a stick.

Good. A ghost.

That’s what she thinks I am.

Chavias watched from the corner of his eye as he sipped a glass. Shamelessly eavesdropping. She wants me to hear her, anyway.

“He’s no ghost.” She told her friend.

He tried not to spit back into the glass when he choked. How’s she so sure?

Chavias nodded vaguely as the man next to him spoke of the great purchase of his pocket watch.

A redheaded female drew close to Chavias and he recognized her instantly. Deiti. Dread dumped through him. How’d she know I was here?

Why’s she here? He fearfully glanced across the room, searching for Radix.

“Chavias.” She purred. Running a hand down his arm.

He casually tried to see over her head, keeping his gaze intent on the beauty searching for him.

Sabine’s gaze flitted through the crowd, seeking him.

Chavias caught Deiti’s shoulders and pulled her more directly in-front of him to block Sabine’s line of sight. “Are you here spying for him?”

I should snap your skinny neck. Looking at her overly slim frame and evil eyes he wondered how he’d ever thought her beautiful. She’s gangly compared to Sabine.

“Should I be?” Her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?” She looked around for the first time. “What’s your mission?”

“A hideous one.”

“Hmm.” She lifted her chin. Believing the abhorrence, he’d injected into his voice as authentic.

Good. I used to be a terrible liar.

“Chavias Derenoe.” Deiti said breathily. “It’s been awhile since you touched me. Or better…I touched you…” She stared at him through hollow brown eyes. Red-gold lashes lowered demurely as she took in his tall frame.

She’s utterly fake. Her every gesture designed to beckon a man in.

For death. Or to be used. It sickened him to look at her. He was awash with shame for ever falling into her trap.

She stared up at him hungrily.

For my power.

Black hair framed his face and poured over his shoulders in waves. Matching slashing brows which descended as he glowered at her. A thick black overcoat set off his strange light eyes and a blue shirt and cravat rested beneath it.

“Don’t say such things unless your aim is getting me killed.” He grated out.

Radix wouldn’t appreciate her toying with me without his condoning it.

Is she? Does he know I’m here? Chavias’ stomach dropped. It could be a test. He realized. One of Radix’s games.

“I’m not certain anyone could kill you.” That wandering hand of hers ran up to link through his long black hair. “You so rarely leave your hair…It’s usually pulled back so severely. I like it this way.”

I’d like to break her hand. Get your sullied hands off me. He couldn’t help wondering if she still had ash on her from touching Radix. It made him cringe.

That small touch had his power seeping from him. There’s not much. I’m Spirit Running. He was comforted in knowing that he’d improved dramatically enough that he appeared as substance in the room. No one can tell I’m not here. He was getting better and better at it.

He let her play her game. She’ll be highly confused later. That made him long to smile.

Won’t be what you expected.

“I’m glad.” He murmured dismissively, peering above her head to keep an eye on the stunning blonde without Deiti noticing.

Deiti gave his hair a hard yank, drawing a sneer from him and forcing his gaze back to her.

Perhaps not without her notice.

He was considering how many lives he might save just by killing this one woman. Would Radix know? He’s not telepathically connected to her.

But she’s his greatest treasure. He’s almost always got an eye on her somewhere…That made him even more anxious.

“That’s my boy.” She smiled slowly. “So tall, dark and handsome, you draw the eye at this party, you know that?”

Not your boy. Not your man. Not your toy!

“I did not.” He said boredly.

Piss off, wretch.

“Your overcoat is cut fine to your wide shoulders. A rare fit.”

Despicable harlot. Her hunger to grip his power disgusted him.

“Someone is going to see you tugging my hair.” He snarled.

They may notice when I break your wrist for doing so…

“Do growl at me, Chavias. You know how I love it.” She whispered back. “You think everyone in this kingdom doesn’t know of my lovers?” She shrugged pretty shoulders. The gold dress fit her well and normally she’d have drawn his eye, but as of late nothing seemed to distract his thoughts from the beauty currently across the ballroom.

Failing though. It was nearly impossible to keep his eyes from wandering to the gorgeous woman.