FOREVER KNIGHTS: #17 Marked As Mine

Rhyers was more than happy to get as far from Rosewynn as possible. Still feeling the waves of Deragan’s temper washing over him.

Deragan was stereotypically unflappable but when he did lose his restraint he’d brutally pinned other wolves to the dirt. Crushed paws and dislocated shoulders by barely blinking.

He can be ruthless when pushed. And Rhyers had no desire to press the issue.

Rhyers roamed around Grier until picking up a trail he was sure was Elsabet’s soft track. Accompanied by a heavier one that appeared to be Radix’s Commander. Okine. The green tinted giant.

Despite trying to keep his objectivity he felt a pang of worry that the large man was dragging her, hurting her.

She’s fierce. Fiercest woman I know. He reminded himself. And despite the kindness she’d shown them all over time it was easy to recall how unsettling they’d all found her at first. And we know she has that effect on everyone but Bast.

On the outer rim of MidGale City, a giant fortress was being built. And it appeared the tracks were aiming straight for it.

What is this?

He followed the tracks into WaterRose and picked up the faintest heel track in the mud heading up a high tree. Someone’s foot sinking in as they’d leapt to a lower branch.

The tree looked uncomfortable and precarious. The branches thin and sparse until midway up the tree where they were disconcertingly dense.

Only one creature would want to be up there.

“Savage Jack?” He whispered.

Seeing far into the heights, a head lean, over a branch. “Tracker. How in bloody hell did you know I was up here?”

Rhyers grinned. “Did you hear me?”

“No. But I sensed you.” Savage Jack countered.

“I found your track down here.” He pointed near his toe.

“How in-” Savage’s voice rose as he squinted down. “I don’t see anything.”

“I do.”

Savage groaned and quickly swung down.

With the agility of a squirrel.

Swinging limb from limb. His feet instinctively catching on the bone below.

“How do you do that in boots?”

Savage Jack landed just before Rhyers. Looking down at his partially laced large boots and shrugged.

“What is this structure?” Rhyers queried.

“Danbury’s Holding.”

“Since when does he have one of those?”

“Since Radix is building it for him.” Savage Jack said dispassionately. Icy blue eyes unflinching.

“Why are you watching it?” Rhyers questioned. Doubting he’d answer.

It seemed an odd place for the King of Assassins to give attention.

“I’m going in to talk to her.”

“To whom?” Rhyers queried. Looking at him askance.

“You’re valkyrie.”

“She’s not mine!” Rhyers objected.

“I thought she belonged to the Forever Knights.”

“You make it sound so questionable!” Rhyers cringed. “She’s like a sister to us, indeed.”

“Not a sister to Sebastian.”

“Well, except him.” Rhyers couldn’t deny the cold man unsettled him enough he was having a hard time articulating what he meant.

“If you want to go in there, why have you not just walked in already?”

“It’s crawling with cimmerii.” Savage Jack peeled apart some bushes to watch the Firoque workers still diligently building on it. “Oddly I’ve seen no trace of Danbury yet, though.”

“That is odd. Wonder where he is.”

“What manner of cimmerii would deter you?” Rhyers questioned.

“Not typically the manner. Usually the number that might deter me. But that combines in this instance with the majority of them being valkyrie. Which I’ve not fought before. Unique circumstance, you see.”

“Hmm.” Rhyers pondered.

“Nearly sounds as though the King of Assassins fears a pack of women.”

“I fear nothing more.”

Was that a joke? Rhyers couldn’t tell from his face. As cold and unrelenting as ever. Does he have a woman? I’d pity the girl.

“Don’t pity her.” Savage Jack countered. Eying the stronghold. “She deals well on her own.”

Did he just read my thoughts? Rhyers pondered.

Savage’s gaze slicked sideways to look at him. “Yes. I did.”

“Well, stop!” Rhyers tossed his arms. Disliking very much being on this end of the mind reading.