FOREVER KNIGHTS: #4 Battling Black Roses -
A Dread Queen to the Wilhelm Ball
Her head dropped, and she blinked.
“Is that you?” He queried.
Of course, it is.
“It has been.” She admitted softly.
“What’s going through your mind?”
“Surprise that you’d tell me you came here to kill me.”
“You’ve vowed you’ll not betray me. So now I present you with my choices.”
She tilted her head in interest.
“I either must kill you to comply with My Captain’s orders. Or…”
“Or what?”
“Or find out there’s more…That there’s a reason not to kill this monster that rises from the water to kill villagers. If I were to learn the truth...Would I find there’s a reason?”
“Of course, there’s a reason.”
He was relieved as he probed further. “Would I find it’s not murder but vengeance?”
“It’s not vengeance. It’s justice.”
Good. The Captain will understand that.
“Then that’d be a reason not to kill this monster from the lake, Dread Queen.”
“I’m no queen.”
You’re every inch one. He took in her proud stature and the power in her eyes.
“You’re queen of this forest. Of those waters. You’re a queen.” He pronounced.
“Are you trying to find a use for me as well?”
“I’m not. I’m trying to find a reason not to kill you.”
“Fine then.”
“Fine.” He concurred. “You’ll tell me why then?”
Why you’ve been killing people out here.
Please. He willed her. Make this easy for me.
I don’t want to hurt you.
“I shall tell you some. And I will see. And then, perhaps, I shall tell you more.”
“And see what?”
“If you can be trusted, as you say.” Her face eased.
“I have honor.”
“You’ve kept one promise. That’s far from evidence of honor.”
Ouch. He felt his fists tighten at the implication he lacked honor.
“It is evidence.” He corrected.
“Meager evidence.” She conceded.
“What proof do you desire?”
“I’ll bear witness to who you are, how you behave, a I’ll know.” She said decisively.
“Then will you join me at the ball in two night’s time?”
At length, she gave one slow nod.
“Then I shall discover if you have honor.” Amusement curved his lips.
She looked affronted. “What does attending a Ball have to do with my honor?”
“If you don’t arrive, and leave me to dance alone, I’ll consider you veritably a woman absent any honor.”
Her insulted expression softened at his flirting. “I didn’t say I’d dance with you.”
“Didn’t you?” He turned to leave the clearing. Having acquired what, he considered amounting to her promise to come day after tomorrow. “Perhaps it was that you didn’t say you wouldn’t...”
“I won’t.”
“I’m sorry I can’t hear you.” He called back. Waving her away. “You’re too far away.”
When he glanced over his shoulder, he caught the flickers of a smile.
“I will meet you at the Wilhelm Castle Ball, as it gets dark.” He pointed at the ground. “In two days’ time.”
At least she has humor. Perhaps I’ll find the woman buried under all her careful shields.
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