Chapter 40: TEVERIUS - Where I'm Going

Northern Netherwood, Netherlands (Exiled for sixteen years)

TEVERIUS

Since the night in the tavern, Teverius had returned countless evenings to request Serdephe take warm dusk walk with him.

She would bound out the door to join him. Catching his forearm as he’d taught her, and letting him set the pace as her turquoise eyes landed on him.

It became their ritual that every opportunity he could, Tev traversed to Gilwynn to buy bread from the baker. Lathering it in honey and bringing it with him to proffer to her.

She’d happily take it. Savoring the honey from her fingertips and sending his wicked mind racing.

But despite all the lovely nights, Tev was daunted by constant thoughts of finding Raese. Desperately needing to go look for the missing knight but finding the concept of leaving Serdephe nearly too painful to comprehend.

He’d spent much of the day pacing his cottage and finally deciding he’d no longer wait. It’d been months since he found out Raese was in the Paladines and still he hadn’t gone in search of him.

Reluctant to leave her. He admitted to himself. Even to restore my honor.

It’s time. He told himself. Knowing he could no longer stall. I have to find him so I can regain what I lost when I lost the Watchers. He’d spent months than years hoping Bast could find even a hint of them to assuage Tev’ blinding guilt.

But even he couldn’t. Because they were gone.

His boots thunked over the floor then scraped as he turned again. The hour grew late and he still hadn’t gone to Serdephe’s cottage tonight. I don’t know how to tell her I have to leave. He was only mildly surprised when heard the confident rap at his door.

“Serdephe.” He groaned. Scenting her before he opened the door.

Her light blue eyes were accusing. “Where have you been?”

Here. Avoiding you.

“Are we wed?” He snapped. Feeling overly chastised and already agitated.

“Not yet.” She brushed passed him, already in her stockinged feet, he noted. “But eventually.”

Impertinent today as the day she cornered me in the woods telling me it was my duty to protect her.

“You’re arrogance is appalling.”

Actually, I find it endearing.

“There is simply a way things are meant to be.” She walked to the cupboards in the far corner and found the heel of a loaf and a meager bit of honey in the bottom of the jar.

“Do help yourself.” He growled.

“I am.” She blinked at him over a shoulder as she cut the heel in half.

What am I even mad about? He asked himself. I saved it for her.

She returned to stand across from him. Offering him half the small piece already spotted with a few dollops of honey.

He was touched she’d share such a small amount of her favored treat.

“Take them both.” His voice softened.

“I will not. You’re my partner.”

Meaning what?

“Partner?”

“Of course.” She bit a piece. Intent on plucking something from the lump of honey remaining there. “You walk with me, hunt with me. You trained my dogs and you’re always watching over me. If not my partner, then what are you?”

Good question.

Better question: What is it I want to be? He frowned and found himself struggling to find a response. Damn her.

‘Partners’ be damned!

“I must go, Serdephe.” His words held far less conviction then he intended.

Her head shot up and face darkened. “Excuse me?”

“I have to go.”

To leave here.

“Where?”

“I’m not accountable to you, Serdephe!”

Her eyes narrowed and her cheeks sucked in.

He sensed a snake was ready to unleash venom. “Ser.” He conceded, hoping it’d stem that look on her face. Swallowing as he assessed the horrible look. “Stop staring at me like that!”

“Take it back.”

I can’t!

“I won’t! I’m going.”

“Where?”

“To find someone.” He said gruffly.

Raese.

“In that case,” She shrugged. “Then the dogs and I will go. We’ll find them faster.” She took another bite of bread.

You most definitely won’t!

I don’t know where he’s been. Why he hasn’t contacted us. Whose holding him. If he belongs to Radix…You’re not going anywhere near him.

Not even with the dogs!

“You will not!”

Her back went ramrod straight and he sensed the descent of the thunderclouds already rolling over her pretty eyes.

“You know we’ll find whoever it is faster, together!” She cried.

Not if I’m too busy worrying about you.

“I must do this.”

Alone.

“Why?” She looked forlorn. A half chewed bit of bread lumped in one cheek.

“To restore my honor.”

“Why?”

Because that’s what one aspires to do once they’ve lost it. He thought impatiently.

“Because I lost it amongst my brothers many years ago.”