FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins
CHAVIAS - She Thinks I Mock Her

Delacroix Hall, Mane Country

CHAVIAS

Darkness wrapped the long meadows of Delacroix Hall like a descending fog. Standing at her chamber’s window slit, Sabine watched the world turn dusky black. Very lonely so far from InnerCircle City. The dirt trail heading into town seemed to stretch forever. Trees had become hollow shells of their daylight glory. Cloying fingers of fog crept across the hills.

Thadeus, the black crow coasted in her window. Landing smoothly on her bed. Signalling Chavias’ presence.

“I warned you to leave this place.” His honeyed voice swirled around her.

“I informed you I would not.” She retorted. Stilling with her back to the window.

Thadeus cawed as though reprimanding her.

Damn stubborn woman!

“So, you’ll wait like a doe for them to come hunt you?” Irritation made him harsh.

“Wait for whom?”

Cimmerii. Radix’s people. He’d no idea how to explain it to her.

“Why don’t you just lead the way!”

What?

“How would I manage that?” His voice was dark. “I’ve directed you not to look on me. How could I take you anywhere? Where would I take you?”

“Where do I have to go?”

“You won’t leave because you’ve nowhere to go?” The truth of it sunk in.

She can’t leave. He realized she was right. She has no one else. Nowhere else.

Why didn’t it occur to me before?

Thadeus ruffled his feathers. Dragging his beak through as he cleaned himself. Relaxing in her presence.

“Do I need more reason than that?” She murmured.

Not particularly, actually.

“You’re quite beautiful. Can’t you replace a place?”

Her ire rose. “You expect me to use beauty as a way to replace residence? By becoming some man’s mistress, I suppose?” She snapped. Glowering at the wall before her. Silver flecks swelled on her eyelashes. Cheeks beginning to shine under a coat of shimmering frost.

Not what I meant. But it’d be safer then staying here.

“You’re angry?” He asked, baffled. Studying her back. He tried to piece it together to come up with a suitable response to her angst.

How long has it been since I spoke to a woman.

Other then Deiti. And she is simply demonic. Hardly a credit to her gender.

“You could use your lovely face to replace a suitable match, could you not?”

“I suspected you were many things.” Her voice was tight. “But unkind hadn’t been one. Demeaning me is very low.”

Demeaning? He choked. To discuss a husband or a lovely face?

Did I miss some part of this conversation?

Her back went rigid in outrage. “Do you laugh at me?”

I choked not laughed.

“I’m confused.” He gestured helplessly despite that she couldn’t see it. “I’m not sure I understand how I’ve insulted you.”

She huffed. Back rising and falling. “You mock what I lack.”

A husband?

“I mock nothing!”

She’s incomparably beautiful! Can she not hear the truth in my words? Without meaning to, he moved toward her to explain. Unprepared for her to unexpectedly face him. Pain written over her features.

“No!” He cried. Tossing up his arms to ward her off.

Thadeus hunkered over, hissing at her maliciously.

She glimpsed his shadow before he dissolved into only a shimmering outline. “You look like a mirage.” She hissed. “Step back into the light.” She moved to touch him, but he stepped from reach as though her touch would burn him. “I hear you breathing. Why do you do so, so fast?” She dogged his step.

“I told you not to look at me!”