FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions
ACHARIUS - For Protection

Merwood, Dread Hideout

ACHARIUS

Chastain’s eyes fluttered open. The shadow of a man standing over her darkened her face. A pair of lively blue eyes watching her, framed by dark blonde hair hanging past his shoulders.

He saw the moment she recalled what’d led to her fainting. Lurching to a sitting position, she looked from arm to arm. Realizing she couldn’t lift them. When she tried to stand, she found her legs didn’t respond either.

“What have you done to me?” Eyes wide, her intent to scream was obvious.

His large hand landed over her mouth. “Hush. You and I have some talking to do.”

Green eyes flared.

“It’s magic that holds you. When you calm, I’ll lift it.” He slid his hand from her lips. Turning to sit on the cot next to her. She opened her mouth, but his eyes narrowed. He slowly shook his head.

“Are you alright, by and by?” His face was unreadable. Light from the lone candle in the far corner danced over his square features. Flickering in blue eyes as he watched her. Wearing a simple tunic spanning the breadth of thick shoulders. Chastain’s eyes narrowed on his fitted breeches. Studying the fabric.

He was aware of what she realized. The same brown shade and texture worn by the sweet ladies of Meredith House.

She mumbled something scathing. White nightgown making red hair shine like a rose in snow.

Despite everything I know about you, I’ve never been this close.

“All this time I wasn’t sure you were whole. Real.” Her voice shook.

I barely am.

I’ve no wish to fight with you. A jerk of his wrist freed her from the invisible bonds.

She could move the top half of her body again.

But you’re not leaving yet. A turn of his hands made the pressure on her ankle increase like cinching shackle. Squinting into the dark, she saw a shimmering red thread bind her legs. When she tried to touch it, she found her hand passed through. Generating a hazy ripple. She gasped in shock.

As he rose, he checked the sheath at his side and found his thick dagger in place. Rounding, he aimed for the burlap bag across the cavern from her.

Do I have anything for her to eat? That’d help perk her up.

Candles cast bouncing shadows along the walls. She glanced at them anxiously.

She still thinks I might hurt her. He sensed her thoughts as she peered around the cave. Assessing his private chambers. On a stone dais was his bed. A wide cot. With a candlestand next to it and an open poetry book on the floor. In one corner was an eating area dominated by a log table. In another, the lone candle burned from a little square table. A cove nearby held shelves with jars and hanging meats. Two bare metal chandeliers were strung. One burned above the table. Shining down over a scatter of deer hides on the floor near a fire cut out. Complete with cooking pot. A few portraits hung off loose stones. Some were on the floor resting along the wall as though forgotten. Ornate gold frames glinting.

Portraits of other knights. A glance back verified her studying them.

“I’m sure they seem very out of place here, don’t they?”

“Actually, I thought they looked expensive.”

“They are.” He chuckled.

They’re Lucien’s. His works have become highly valued for collectors.

“Did you steal them?”

His smile died as he twisted to toss a shocked look over his shoulder. “I never steal.”

You think me a thief?

“Why do you carry a knife?” She probed.

To kill Cimmerii if they get closer then I can shoot with arrows.

“For protection.” He returned to pulling jars from the bag.

“From whom?”

Chavias. And Nonis.