FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

ALAZAR

“She’s more resentful every year.” Alazar paced WaterRose’s library. Boots clicking in the huge echoing room.

“Resentful of?” Bast sighed from his red chair by the fire. Feet propped on the foot stand. Arms comfortably crossed behind his head. Yellow hair slipped from its tether. A few glinting strands winding past his face.

Me. Was his first answer. Too vulnerable, an answer.

“Of everything!” He tossed his arms.

“My, my, you are agitated today.”

Shut up.

“She’s wandering toward darkness.” He insisted.

“Radix?” Bast asked.

Charles Danbury to be specific. Alazareth noticed vaguely that something was wrong. Bast sounded tired. Too tired. Even for him.

And he looks rough. Alazar’s gaze was drawn to the wrinkles in his shirt and what looked like blood stains along the side. His hair escaped the tether, but he didn’t bother correcting it.

He’s hurting?

“Perhaps guidance isn’t the answer. Space is.” Elsabet murmured from a far corner of the library.

Holy Hell! How long has she been there? Alazar jumped. How much did she hear?

Bast twisted to see her.

“I didn’t know she was there.” Alazareth whispered.

“Neither did I…” But Bast smiled faintly.

His eyes aren’t going to her like they usually do. Usually Bast was mesmerized by her movements when she was in the room. Nearly unable to look away.

Is that what I look like when Riaura is around? He glanced over his shoulder and saw only darkness at first. Barely noticing her high atop a ladder slowly turning through pages in a deep corner.

How’s she seeing the writing? She can see in the dark?

“You do know she’s going to kill one of us, one of these days?” Alazar murmured still watching her.

Bast grunted.

“I only pray she doesn’t confuse which…”

She does find me more likable.

“I suppose we should’ve known. She’s always here.” Bast shrugged. “She rarely leaves this room.”

“Why?” Alazar whispered.

“Because she’s scared, she’ll run into me anywhere else. She evades me like the plague ever since…”

“So, you spend most of your time in here?” Alazar asked perceptively.

Wait. What was that?

“She’s cornered.” He affirmed, moving a glass in circles on the table next to him.

“Since what?”

Bast gave him a quizzical look.

“She evades you ever since what?”

Bast winced, eyes flicking to the valkyrie. Voice dropping. “Let us not discuss such things…Now.”

Afraid she’ll react badly.

To what?

“You’re sick to keep her here, you know that?”

Bast scoffed. “Your woman isn’t wandering toward the dark.” He thunked his feet off the foot stand to prop elbows on his knees, leaning forward. Stopping when he winced and blew a pained breath before straightening some.

“What’s wrong with you?” Alazar asked. Hearing a book behind him thud at the sound of Bast’s pain.

She dropped it. She’s worried about him.

What’d he do, now?

“What did you do now?” She scurried down the ladder, stalking through the shelves and rounding the chair to eye him by the fire. Silver blonde hair glowing in the flame’s light. Dark blue eyes roving him assessingly.

Apparently, I’m not the only one wondering.

“She’s merely a confused young woman.” Bast shifted. Disconcerted by the prolonged scrutiny and trying hard to ignore her.

A poor decision. Alazar stared at her jaw agape. He’s taking her irritation to a low simmer.

Alazar paused to study his brother thoughtfully. “Perhaps...”

“Does she still come see you?” Elsabet turned her head to Alazar. Lips pursed in annoyance.

“Often.” He rounded the blue chair to grip the back. Leaning forward thoughtfully made the chair squeak. Realizing he’d unconsciously felt the need to put a chair between himself and her, sensing her mounting ire. “Marod drives her into the woods for solace.”

“Then don’t fear. As long as she comes to see you, she still has feeling for you.” Her plain silver-blue skirt swished as she rotated on her heel and exited the library. Strangely, her step was slow on the stairs.

She’s waiting for me to leave.

Neither brother could help noticing how pointedly she mentioned it. Bast stared after her before refocusing on his twin’s difficulties.

“What was that about?”

“It’s always I seeking her. She’s telling me not to bother.”

“Why?” Alazar’s brows lifted.

“Because she’s clearly angry with me.”

“Why?”

“She doesn’t appreciate when I get hurt trying to help the others.” Bast sighed.

“Oh?” Alazar was awash with curiosity. When did she begin worrying for him?

“As you were saying.” Bast waved his hand for his twin to continue.

“She only comes to me because Marod drives her.” Alazar murmured, disheartened.

“Yet she runs straight to you every time...” Bast gave him a telling look.