FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts
ALAZAR - An Assassin

Warlock Grove, Nightway

ALAZAR

Alazar put an arrow through a deer for dinner. Making quick work of cutting off a heavy flank to roast for he and Riaura.

She helped him gather some twigs. It took a bit of work to replace some dry enough to nurture a flame. By then evening descended.

“Are you certain you don’t have to go back?” He queried as he fanned the spark.

“Not tonight, Alazareth. I can’t do it, or my mind will explode.” She huffed. Shoulders slumping.

He gave her a leery look and her face grew sterner.

“Don’t lecture me on duty.” She warned with narrowed eyes.

Lecture…He groaned and shook his head.

She lifted a staying finger. “Do not.”

Fine.

“I won’t.” He relented. Knowing there was a hard note still marking his voice. When he looked back at her she was still glaring at him warningly. Lips tight.

She knows it plagues me not to.

“Alazar. I wish to share this fine meal. And then to curl up on that warm hide with you.” She nodded in the direction of the deerskin drying near the fire. “With your arms about me and your body hot to mine.”

That made his eyes widen and jaw gape slightly.

“Don’t ruin my wishes with bickering.”

Fair.

He snapped his jaw shut and forced his gaze from her. There’s little arguing with that. And suddenly that hide looked more appealing. He instantly pictured her body there. Firelight dancing over her bared skin and his mouth dried. Body tightened. He cleared his throat.

“What are you staring at it for?” She whispered so near his ear her lips brushed the shell of it. Making him instantly throw his head back to her to give her better access. She rewarded him by pressing warm lips to his chorded throat.

“Riaura!” He growled. Spinning about to lift her off her feet and drag her over the log to sit next to him atop it. “Woman if you don’t cease this meat will be dammed. I’ll let it burn!” He nodded to her. Feeling his hands shake where they gripped her upper arms.

She smiled mischievously and lifted a brow.

“Choose wisely.” He warned. “I won’t stop you again.” He tilted his head.

“Fine, then.” She relented. Leaning back to give him room to breathe. Gesturing to the meat. “Continue. But afterwards…”

“Afterwards, you’re mine.” He growled low in his throat.

“I’m yours.” She nodded slowly. Meeting his blue gaze steadily.

He finally broke their stare to finish the meat. Tempted to breathe fire on it himself to speed the process.

“Alazareth…” She whispered, drawing his attention. “I…”

A huff behind them made Alazar’s heart drop. Realizing he’d been so relaxed he’d failed to hear someone sneaking up on them. He turned in time to see a man lurch from the tree behind Riaura. Holding a glinting dagger aloft.

She gasped and twisted, and Alazar instantly read the trajectory of the dagger as aimed for her heart.

“Don’t!” He shouted. Moving inhumanly fast he caught the man’s arm and turned so the arm was twisted across Alazar’s middle. Turning it until it crunched. The assassin shouted in pain and dropped the blade. Catching it in his other hand and plunging it downward at her again.

Riaura only had time to throw her hands up to protect herself. Hands which luminesced in a defensive green glow.

Alazar slid between them, facing the attacker. He leaned back to shield her sitting behind him.

The stranger plunged the dagger deep. Sinking into Alazar’s chest just below his collar.