FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

Nora eyed the decrepit logs aside the fireplace. She withdrew from Beth to go pull a few. Tossing the crumbling wood into the pit. She added some bark as well. Only to realize she’d nothing to light it.

She already used her last match.

The twins came in.

“What you want us to do?” William asked.

She sighed. Looking crestfallen. “Can you clean some rooms to sleep in?”

Eying her disgustedly Marcus turned. Elbowing William meaningfully. “Told you not to ask.”

William swatted Marcus up the back of the head.

“Hey! You’re making me bleed again.”

“That’s the least of your worries. That cracks wide enough for your bit of brain to tumble out.”

“Harsh.” Marcus followed his brother from the room, still touching his cut gingerly.

Tears trailed Nora’s cheeks. Swiping at them with a sleeve she plopped down to rock Beth.

As he circled the mansion, Deragan caught movement coming from the Dining Room. Even as he vowed to keep his distance, there was the overwhelming desire to check on her driving him ever closer. Forcing his way under the drooping arms of an orange tree, pressed him against the glass.

Nora stood staring down at the Dining Room table. Haunted by the far-off sound of crystal tinkling together in a toast and trilling laughter. Her eyes roving the empty room in near panic. Forcing the aberration aside she slapped her palms to the table and leaned on it.

I can see her shivering from here.

So is the little one.

Beth lie curled on the hide before the cold fireplace.

They’re freezing.

Nora stiffened, and her head shot up like a deer. Gaze searching purposefully, until setting on where he stood at the window.

Before he could react, the moon brightened. Exposing him in a blanket of silver light. Torn between pride and horror he met her startled look. She doesn’t even know she’s doing it. Her face as stunned as his.

Not yet. To distract her he sent a blast to the fireplace. Lighting it in a brilliant flash. Making her body tighten. Despite it warming her back, she didn’t look from Deragan.

Terrified as she was, he saw a flicker of curiosity.

That flicker that’d drive her chasing me into the dark.

Again. A muscle in his jaw ticked.

With Cimmerii everywhere. She could get killed.

In dire need of distraction, he lit the tallow candles in the first wall sconce. It popped. Emitting a twining strand of smoke. Wide-eyed, her accusing gaze traveled back to him.

He lit every candle in the room in a chorus of sound until the Dining Hall shined as brightly as the Ballroom had an hour ago.

Stumbling back a few steps Nora tripped over Beth asleep on the floor, and barely managed to catch her footing.

Deragan soundlessly slipped away.

Nora breathed rapidly, clinging to the mantle. The giant yellow-eyed wolf had left. Stepping over Beth, she drew closer to the nearest candle. Flames burning impossibly high made the wax melt at a geometric rate. Dangling wisps of it clung to the sconce.

Nora was screaming but look in her eyes told him she was unaware she was doing so.

Hearing the twins barreling down, her eyes flew to the stairs.

William and Marcus jumped the last steps and ran into the Dining Room. As Nora came into view they froze.

Moonlight poured in the wall of windows frosting the glass silver. Nora’s hair moved around her in curling fingers. Her white gown glowed with its own effervescence. Making her face luminous. Glazed eyes wide, jaw slack.

She looks like an ivory statue.

One of her brothers called out. Both rushed around the table to get to her.

Legs giving, she collapsed.

They’re going to catch her. Deragan realized. Relieved. Feeling incredibly helpless as he watched.

William reached her and made a cradle in his arms that her head and shoulders landed in.