SWNOVELS Chapter She Cries For Me
“Chavias!” Sabine was wailing.
As she has been for hours.
“I’m here.” He rounded the bannister and stepped into the torchlight. “Were you worried?”
I’m fine.
“I was distraught.” She ran barefoot to him. Blue satin swirling in the firelight as she ran down the hall and tossed herself in his arms.
She’s scared.
Chavias grunted. Stunned. What do I do?
His arms floundered. Despite all the wicked fantasies he’d had about the woman and all the longings he’d endured wanting to be close to her, he was now completely lost.
She hugged his chest in a near bone-crushing grip.
Ah, my journal. What I wrote her when Bast confronted me. He’d nearly forgotten.
“I take it you read my warning?”
“Yes.” She sniffled into his shoulder. “I don’t want to lose you, I’m only just finding you.”
What’s she mean by that?
“Just finding me?” He half-laughed. Arms still floating around her. Unsure. “I believe I found you?”
“Do you?” She pulled back to give him a sly look. “Perhaps you won me in the game but who’s really been finding whom since I got here?”
Valid point.
“Touche.” He acknowledged. “I haven’t gotten to learn much about you. Despite your many questions to me you’ve answered very little.”
“You haven’t asked.” She looked at him from under lowered lids.
I didn’t know I could.
“I didn’t think it appropriate to ask a lady probing questions.”
“Perhaps I’d like you to.” She caught his hand and led him downstairs to sit in the Parlor.
He stoked the fire. Glancing at her over his shoulder. She would, would she?
The most obvious topic seemed the easiest to ask about though he knew it’d likely be the hardest to discuss. “Would you tell me of your father?”
“Yes.” She met his look levelly and began telling him unabashedly about her father’s weaknesses and how she’d tended him since her mother had passed.
Hard work from the sound of it.
“He doesn’t mean to be cruel. But when intoxicated he’s a fool.” She explained.
I’d say. He gambled away his only daughter. Without knowing what manner of heathen I was.
“Who are your friends?”
“I have few. Mainly only LauraBeth. Miss Tamarin.”
“Only she? Why?”
“I do not get to know people well.” Sabine admitted with a shrug.
“I would never have imagined such a striking woman could feel lonely.” He remarked.
How was she not swarming with suitors?
“Thank you.” She frowned and looked at the floor thoughtfully. “I think.” She tilted her head to look at him. “Was that a compliment, really?”
Supposed to be. Perhaps it’s been too long since I gave one.
“It was intended as one. I’m a little rough in giving them.”
She scoffed. “Truly? I hadn’t noticed…”
“I’m sensing your sarcasm.”
“Good. I wasn’t hiding it.” She said simply. “What else would you like to know.”
“What brings you joy?” He envisioned her floating in the leaves and wondered if she’d admit it.
“Feeling free. Being outside.”
Close. A little vague in her answer.
But magic can be hard to discuss. He knew that from experience.